Curtis Hertel Jr. is a seasoned political leader from Michigan’s 7th district with a long history of public service. He holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University and has served on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and as Ingham County Register of Deeds. Hertel was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2014, where he served the 23rd district, including Lansing and surrounding areas.
As Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s director of legislative affairs, Hertel played a key role in passing bipartisan legislation that cut taxes for seniors and working families, expanded workers’ rights, and secured investments in advanced manufacturing. He was instrumental in repealing the 1931 law banning abortion in Michigan and bringing electric-vehicle and battery manufacturing jobs to the state.