About Senator Michelle McManus

Michelle McManus is tough, tested and trusted leader Michigan needs as our next Republican Secretary of State. She will fiercely protect the integrity of Michigan's elections while constantly being on the lookout for ways to make the Secretary of State's office more efficient and customer-friendly, saving Michigan residents both time and money.

Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Michelle grew up on her family's cherry farm, where she learned the lessons of faith, family and hard work. She brought those values to Lansing more than a decade ago, and she has put them to work fighting for your right to life, liberty and your pursuit of happiness ever since. She has the toughness to stand up against federal mandates that threaten our state sovereignty and to fight groups like ACORN that threaten the integrity of our elections.

When she's not in Lansing putting her conservative principles to work for Michigan, Michelle still manages the family farm, overseeing the cultivation, harvesting and delivery of more than 200 acres of tart cherries. Her experience as a small-business owner will be invaluable when it comes to running a lean, efficient, customer-friendly Secretary of State's office. In fact, Michelle was the first Michigan legislator to introduce a Web site and email contact with her constituents, proof of her ongoing commitment to using technology to improve customer service.

Now in her second term in the state Senate, Michelle serves as Assistant Majority Leader and chairs the Senate Campaign & Election Oversight Committee, a new committee formed in 2007. As chair of the Senate Campaign & Election Oversight Committee, Michelle has worked to bring about responsible, commonsense reforms that will maintain the integrity of public office in Michigan. She also serves on the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Senate Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, where she chairs the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee.

Michelle graduated from Traverse City Public Schools and went on to earn her B.S. in political science from Central Michigan University. An avid sportsman, she enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities and is an active member in her community. She and her husband Keith Nelson live on her family farm in Lake Leelanau with their son, Benjamin, and their daughter, Mary. Her step-daughter Jessica lives in Big Rapids.  They attend St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City.

Click here for a copy of this biography suitable for introductions at events.