Deb Cherry (born August 19, 1954) is a former Democratic member of the

Michigan Senate The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. Along with the Michigan House of Representatives, it composes the state legislature, which has powers, roles and duties defined by Article IV of the Michigan Constitution, ado ...

, representing the 26th district until she was elected Genesee County treasurer in 2010. Her district included parts of

Genesee Genesee, derived from the Seneca word for "pleasant valley", may refer to: Geographic features Canada *Genesee, Alberta, an unincorporated community United States *Genesee, California *Genesee, Colorado *Genesee County, Michigan *Genesee Co ...

and

Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...

counties. Previously she was a member of the

Michigan House of Representatives The Michigan House of Representatives is the lower house of the Michigan Legislature. There are 110 members, each of whom is elected from constituencies having approximately 77,000 to 91,000 residents, based on population figures from the 2010 ...

from 1995 to 2000. Her brother

John D. Cherry John D. Cherry Jr. (born May 5, 1951) is an American politician who served as the 62nd lieutenant governor of Michigan from 2003 to 2011. A Democrat, Cherry also served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, and ...

was the

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

of Michigan. There was speculation that she may run for congress in 2012.

Background

Cherry received a Bachelor of Science degree from

Oakland University Oakland University is a public research university in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan. Founded in 1957 through a donation of Matilda Dodge Wilson, it was initially known as Michigan State University-Oakland, operating under the Mi ...

and earned a

Master of Public Administration The Master of Public Administration (M.P.Adm., M.P.A., or MPA) is a specialized higher professional post graduate degree in public administration, similar/ equivalent to the Master of Business Administration but with an emphasis on the issues of ...

from

University of Michigan-Flint A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...

Political career

Cherry's interest in politics began in high school when she joined a non-partisan student group. Since that time she has been active in politics as a volunteer, manager of campaigns, as a candidate, and as an elected official. Before being elected into the legislature, Cherry worked with the Valley Area Agency on Aging where she managed grants and worked to find funding for various agency services. She also served on the Genesee County Commission for six years, where she represented the 3rd District, and was Commission Chair for 3 years. Cherry is currently Chairman of the Greater Flint Health Coalition, a member of the Michigan Fitness foundation, the Michigan Prospect and IMA Board, as well as is an honorary member of the Genesee County Board.

References

External links

Senator Cherry's Homepage

The Cherry Report
with guest Linda Hamacher
Floor Statements
video clips
Project Vote Smart - Senator Deborah Cherry (MI)
profile *''Follow the Money'' - Deborah Cherry
200620042002200019981996
campaign contributions
Michigan Senate Democratic CaucusMichigan Liberal - SD26Blogging for Michigan
Sen. Cherry: Michigan Kids, Legislature Both Need to Shape Up {{DEFAULTSORT:Cherry, Deborah Democratic Party Michigan state senators Democratic Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives 1954 births Living people County treasurers in Michigan County commissioners in Michigan Oakland University alumni University of Michigan–Flint alumni People from Dowagiac, Michigan Women state legislators in Michigan 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American women politicians 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians