Samantha Rae Steckloff (born 1984) is an American politician who has been serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2021, currently representing the 19th district.[1] Prior to that, Steckloff served 8 years on the Farmington Hills City Council.
Samantha Steckloff | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Christine Greig |
| Constituency | 37th district (2021–2023) 19th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1984 (age 40–41) Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| Education | Purdue University |
| Website | Samantha Steckloff |
Early life and education
editSteckloff was born in 1984 to mother Vicki Barnett and attorney Irwin Steckloff, and raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan with her brother Jordan. In 2002 she graduated from her home city's Harrison High School.[2] As a teenager, Steckloff got involved with community activism through the Farmington Hills After School program and as a charter member of the Mayor's Youth Council.[3] In 2006, Steckloff earned a bachelor's degree in foreign policy from Purdue University.[4][5] During her time at Purdue University, Steckloff became the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns' youngest youth coordinator.[3]
Career
editSteckloff was first elected to the Farmington Hills City Council in 2013.[6] During her time on the council, she successfully advocated for the creation of a city community health commission, the first of its kind in Michigan. On November 3, 2020, Steckloff was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where she has represented the 37th district since January 1, 2021.[4] She resigned from the city council to serve in the state legislature.[7]
In the Michigan House, Steckloff serves on the Appropriations Committee and is Vice-Chair of the Transportation Subcommittee. She also is a member of the Joint Capital Outlay and Licensing & Regulatory Affairs/Insurance & Financial Services Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.[8]
Following redistricting, she ran in the 19th district in 2022, winning reelection.[9] She was reelected in 2024.[10]
Personal life
editIn 2015, Steckloff was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer. Due to the diagnosis, Steckloff experienced bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts. Her experiences were featured in the 2016 Public Broadcasting Service documentary Death Is Not the Answer.[11] In September 2020, Steckloff married Brandon Sundheimer.[12] Steckloff is Jewish.[4]
References
edit- ^ Michigan Committee Statement of Organization. Michigan Secretary of State, March 16, 2021.
- ^ Kadrich, Brad (11 May 2016). "Farmington Hills' Steckloff shares her cancer story with students". Hometown Life. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ a b "MEET YOUR 37TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CANDIDATES". Farmington Voice. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Samantha Steckloff". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Open state House seats bring competitive primary races to Oakland County". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "3 current or former Farmington Hills City Council members running for state representative in primary election". The Oakland Press. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Farmington Hills seeking council member to fill vacancy". The Oakland Press. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Samantha Steckloff". Retrieved 2021-05-30.
- ^ "2022 Michigan Election Results - General". Michigan Secretary of State. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Secretary of State. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ "Hills city councilwoman featured in documentary on suicide, depression". C&G Newspapers. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "STECKLOFF SEES TOUGH FIRST TERM IN REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE". Farmington Voice. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.