Matthew Miller: one student’s campaign for state senate

Contributor

Matthew Miller is a man looking for your support. Perhaps you’ve seen him around campus; maybe you have a class with him. Miller, 22, says he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work making things better for people. He’s is running for a state Senate seat in the 18th District. The seat is now held by Rebekah Warren, who must give it up due to term limits.

Miller’s first challenge is a primary election in August. The winner in August will be on the November ballot.

Miller’s opponents include elected officials: former state representative Jeff Irwin, Washtenaw County Commissioner Michelle Deatrick, along with Ann Arbor businesswoman Anuja Rajendra. Not all candidates have yet filed with the Secretary of State.

But Miller said that after listening to the other candidates, he’s undeterred.

“Everyone deserves to a have a quality of life, and a basic level of respect,” said Miller.

“It’s important to elect a representative who is someone with shared experiences,” said Miller. “You want that person to be able to empathize and know what it’s like to walk in another’s shoes.”

Miller knows what it’s like to struggle and to have to get back up on your feet and keep pushing forward. He grew up in foster care. Constantly moving from home-to-home, having to start over at new schools and with new families gave him the skill of cooperation with others who were different than him.

When he turned 18 and was let out of the system with nothing, he understood what it was like to struggle and how to be able to turn things around. This past winter he lost two of his closest friends to an accident. He said he then realized that even he is on borrowed time and he is committed to make as much of a positive difference in the lives of others. In January he and a few friends formed his political action committee, set up the website, and started campaigning.

Miller points to his experience working with lots of people with different backgrounds. He said he gained leadership skills at various positions he has held. He was class president his senior year of high school. Growing up in foster care gave him a  level of adaptability that, he said he thinks is important when working with others who may disagree with you.

“Everyone essentially wants the same thing,” said Miller. “Clean water, clean air, roads that aren’t going to fall apart, health care. We work together to solve these issues by coming together to meet on common ground.”

Miller has a small team that has been going to various events to listen to the voters and hear what’s important to them.

“By listening to the concerns of the voters and hearing their struggles we can all work together to solve it,” said Miller. “The people are the fourth branch of the government and we the people are the ones to make real change.”

He’s been able to create a platform of issues he wants to tackle that are important to many people.

“I have realized what I’m doing matters when people tell me, those who have never voted before, saying they will vote for me.”

Miller said he strength is being able to “weave and inspire a message to get young people politically inclined and motivated, and engaging underrepresented communities involved.”

In his conversation with the Voice,  he discussed women’s reproductive rights, for-profit prisons, environmental issues, a livable wage and the importance of education.

In coming weeks, Miller plans to host different events.

Miller has prepared for juggling school and the pressures of the office if he wins. “I’m the greatest underdog in this race,” said Miller. “I will try to do both school and work if I win.”

You can learn more at
matthewmillersenate.com.

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