Mike Harris (Michigan politician)

Mike Harris
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Assumed office
May 9, 2022
Preceded byAndrea Schroeder
Constituency43rd district (2022-2023)
52nd district (2023–present)
Personal details
Born
PartyRepublican

Mike Harris is an American law enforcement officer, businessman, and politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2022, currently representing the 52nd district.[1] He is a member of the Republican Party.[1]

Early life and career

After living in California as a child, Harris moved to Michigan, where he eventually attended Mott Community College.[2] He has worked as a police officer.[3] Harris owns and operates Paladin Training and Consulting, a firearms-training company.[4]

Political career

Harris was elected in a special election to the 43rd district of the Michigan House of Representatives in May 2022.[5] This district covered Lake Angelus, Clarkston, Independence Township, and part of Waterford Township.[6]

Following redistricting, Harris ran in the 52nd district in the 2022 Michigan House of Representatives election. He won reelection with 59% of the vote.[7][8]

In 2024, Harris was reelected against Democratic candidate Caroline Dargay.[9] His campaign raised over $85,000 and spent just over $81,000, while Dargay neither raised nor spent any money.[10] Harris won nearly 62% of the vote.[11]

Political positions

After Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as US President, Harris issued a statement: “I look forward to partnering with the Trump administration to champion the values and priorities of hard-working Michiganders.”[12]

In 2023, Harris voted against a House resolution that recognized libraries as “cultural institutions at the heart of every Michigan community and campus” and librarians as the “heartbeat of every library.”[13][14]

Harris is a supporter of same-sex marriage.[15] However, on March 8, 2023, Harris voted against House Bill 4003, which would end discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in the state of Michigan; the bill passed despite his vote against it.[16]

In a press release in 2025, Harris conflated “illegal aliens” and “dangerous criminals”[17] despite the fact that immigrants in the US are less likely than citizens to commit crimes.[18]

In 2025, Harris supported a bill that would have banned trans students in public universities from using the bathroom that coincides with their gender identity.[19]

In June, 2025, Harris demanded that Michigan’s governor “restore integrity and purpose to the Michigan State Police”.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b Michigan Citizen's Guide to State Government, 2025-2026, 103rd Legislature (PDF). Lansing, Michigan: Michigan Legislature. 2025.
  2. ^ "About". Mike Harris For Stat. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. ^ "Republicans win in competitive Oakland County state House races". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  4. ^ "Legislator Details - Legislators". mdoe.state.mi.us. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  5. ^ "Democrats, Republicans split state House victories in special election". Michigan Radio. 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  6. ^ Dickson, James David. "Harris, Regan, Mekoski win GOP state House primaries; Pepper takes Democratic contest". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  7. ^ "2022 Michigan Election Results - General". Michigan Secretary of State. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "Republicans win in competitive Oakland County state House races". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  9. ^ "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Secretary of State. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "Michigan House of Representatives District 52 Election". Transparency USA. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  11. ^ "Nov. 5, 2024 General Election results | Clarkston News". clarkstonnews.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  12. ^ Harris, Mike (2025-01-21). "Rep. Harris congratulates President Trump". MI House Republicans. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  13. ^ "Michigan Legislature - House Resolution 0081 (2023)". legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  14. ^ Stebbins, Laina G. (April 26, 2023). "All House Republicans vote against resolution recognizing librarians ⋆ Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  15. ^ "Letter to the Editor: Big thumbs up for marriage equality | Clarkston News". clarkstonnews.com. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  16. ^ www.legislature.mi.gov https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(u2nnmyys2pxwm4eq13ad3lgd))/documents/2023-2024/Journal/House/htm/2023-HJ-03-08-022.htm. Retrieved 2023-03-17. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ Harris, Mike (2025-02-12). "Rep. Harris: Sanctuary cities shouldn't get taxpayer-funded favors". MI House Republicans. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  18. ^ "Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born Americans, studies find". NPR. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  19. ^ Kovanis, Georgea. "State House passes anti-trans school bathroom bill; Senate has no plans to do same". Hawk Central. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  20. ^ Harris, Mike (2025-06-10). "Rep. Harris: Michigan State Police leadership have let down troopers, people of Michigan". MI House Republicans. Retrieved 2025-08-08.