Harvey Santana (born July 10, 1972) is an American politician and urban planner who served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016.[1]

Harvey Santana
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 9th district
In office
January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byShanelle Jackson
Succeeded bySylvia Santana
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 10th district
In office
January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2012
Preceded byGabe Leland
Succeeded byPhil Cavanagh
Personal details
Born (1972-07-10) July 10, 1972 (age 52)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSylvia Santana
Children3
Alma materEastern Michigan University
ProfessionUrban Planner
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Navy
Rank Petty Officer Third Class
Battles/warsOperation Desert Shield/Desert Storm

Career

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Early career

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Prior to his election to the legislature, Santana served in the United States Navy, serving overseas in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Bosnia, Somalia and Haiti.[1] Santana was a transportation planner for an engineering firm in the private sector. He was president of the Warrendale Community Organization and served as a legislative assistant to Detroit City Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr.[1]

Politics

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Santana entered a crowded, nine-person field for the Democratic nomination in the 10th District in the Michigan House of Representatives to succeed state incumbent Gabe Leland, who was term-limited. Santana was announced as the winner of election night, taking 35 percent, beating his nearest opponent Stacy Pugh, by just 82 votes.[2] Due to the small margin of his victory, Pugh requested a recount.[3] Santana was later declared the winner by the State's Board of Canvassers, defeating Pugh by 85 votes.[4]

In December 2011, Santana made headlines when he lunged at fellow Democratic state Rep. David Nathan during a heated exchange on the House floor. After the altercation, Santana was temporarily removed from the House floor and the rest of the chamber was ordered to stay at their desks, which was termed by some at the state Capitol as an "adult time-out."[5]

In 2015, Santana was expelled from the Democratic caucus in the Michigan House of Representatives for accepting a committee assignment from Republican House Speaker Kevin Cotter that House Minority Leader Tim Greimel wanted to go to Rep. Brandon Dillon.[6] Santana criticized House Democratic leadership and despite being removed from the caucus, he would continue to work with Democrats and Republicans to best serve the interests of his district.

Later career

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In January 2017, Santana was tapped by Governor Rick Snyder to work in the Office of Urban Initiatives.[7] His work focused on assisting members of the Detroit caucus advance legislation as well as corrections reform.

Santana transitioned his political career into law enforcement and became a Wayne County Sheriff Deputy in 2018.

Election results

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Michigan's 10th state House of Representatives District Democratic Primary, 2010[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harvey Santana 1,915 34.7 N/A
Democratic Stacy Pugh 1,830 33.2 N/A
Democratic David Stephen 752 13.6 N/A
Democratic Mia Griller 530 9.6 N/A
Democratic Quentin Mallory 150 2.7 N/A
Democratic Angy Webb 138 2.5 N/A
Democratic Angela V. Stotts-McClary 121 2.2 N/A
Democratic Sean C. Thomas 48 0.9 N/A
Democratic Khalid Irvin 37 0.7 N/A
Michigan's 10th state House of Representatives District General Election, 2010[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Santana 14,017 94.0
Republican Jasmine Ford 896 6.0
Democratic hold
Michigan's 9th state House of Representatives District Democratic Primary, 2012[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harvey Santana 4,875 65.7 N/A
Democratic Hussein Berry 1,275 17.2 N/A
Democratic William Scott Phillips 1,267 17.1 N/A
Michigan's 9th state House of Representatives District General Election, 2012[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Santana 32,063 95.3
Republican Rene Simpson 1,567 4.7
Democratic hold
Michigan's 9th state House of Representatives District Democratic Primary, 2014[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harvey Santana (I) 4,953 75.3 +9.6
Democratic Hussein Berry 1,627 24.7 +7.5
Michigan's 9th state House of Representatives District General Election, 2014[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Santana (I) 17,606 95.5
Republican James Stephens 827 4.5
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c 2011–2012 Michigan Manual: State Representative Harvey Santana
  2. ^ Aaron Foley (August 4, 2010). "Wayne County election results: Mary Waters loses State Senate bid, more". MLive. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  3. ^ Associated Press (August 26, 2010). "Mary Sheffield, Stacy Pugh request recounts in closely-contested primaries for Michigan House". MLive. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  4. ^ "Meeting of the Board of State Canvassers" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. September 29, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  5. ^ Zoe Clark (December 16, 2011). "Michigan lawmakers get 'adult timeout' after fight breaks out on state House floor". Michigan Public Radio. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  6. ^ Jonathan Oosting (February 3, 2015). "Michigan lawmaker says he was booted from Democratic caucus after committee post dispute". MLive. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  7. ^ "SOM – Gov. Snyder announces staff changes in Michigan Office of Urban Initiatives". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  8. ^ "2010 Michigan Election Results 10th District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 29, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  9. ^ "2010 Michigan Election Results 10th District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  10. ^ "2012 Michigan Election Results 9th District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 29, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  11. ^ "2012 Michigan Election Results 9th District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  12. ^ "2014 Michigan Election Results 9th District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 29, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  13. ^ "2014 Michigan Election Results 9th District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.