STEPHANIE ARMSTRONG-HELTON 16 FALL <strong>2020</strong> BLUEWATERWOMAN.COM
READY to take the wheel BY PATTI SAMAR SStephanie Armstrong-Helton is kind of a policy wonk. The Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives 83rd District, which serves Sanilac County, Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township and the city of Port Huron, has spent a career of 30-plus years working in marketing, communications and governmental advocacy. She currently works as a Communications and Grassroots Advocacy manager for Trinity Health, based in Troy. A graduate of Port Huron Northern High School, St. Clair County Community College and the University of Detroit, Helton resides in Fort Gratiot with her husband of 29 years. “I have a lot to offer given my healthcare and political advocacy background,” said Helton. “We have the opportunity to build healthy communities and a healthy economy. They are not separate.” Helton is running against political newcomer, Republican Andrew Beeler, 28, of Port Huron. “You want someone in this position who has life experiences and who will work 150 percent for the community,” said Helton. “I would want a representative who has vast life experiences, especially during this time of life challenges, and someone who can pull from a variety of life experiences when enacting policy. “I’m the only person in this race who has that kind of experience. I know how a bill becomes a law. I’ve helped write policy and I’ve worked across the aisle.” Helton has long been involved in local politics, and not only through her job. She has held positions on the board of the St. Clair County Democratic Party, and she has worked for and volunteered for numerous local campaigns. Sounding almost surprised to be a candidate for office, Helton laughed and said: “I’m not really a politician, I’m not going to wear the suit and I’m not going to do the glad-handing. But when it comes right down to it, politicians are just regular people who want to help other people. And you can work together to accomplish things. “Politics doesn’t have to be divisive. It’s clear, as humans, we have a lot of commonalities.” In terms of the issues facing the residents of the 83rd District, Helton noted that economic development, which can lead to an increase in jobs across the community, is important, as is the environment, since the district sits on the shores of the Great Lakes. “Jobs are a big one,” she said. “We’re a service industry community, and we’re a farming and agricultural community. We need to look at diversifying what we do here. It’s so beautiful here. I still can’t believe we FALL <strong>2020</strong> BLUEWATERWOMAN.COM 17