Laurie Pohutsky (née Tennant; born April 28, 1988) is an American microbiologist and a politician from Michigan. Pohutsky is the Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 17th district.
Laurie Pohutsky | |
---|---|
Speaker pro tempore of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
Assumed office January 11, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Pamela Hornberger |
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Laura Cox |
Constituency | 19th district (2019–2022) 17th district (2023–present) |
Personal details | |
Born | Laurie Tennant April 28, 1988 |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Michigan State University (BS) |
Website | Campaign website |
Pohutsky was born Laurie Tennant in Livonia, Michigan. She grew up in Redford, Michigan.[1] Between 2006 and 2010 she attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology.[2] Pohutsky then worked as a laboratory technician for several companies in fields involving food safety, toxicology and health care.[3]
In 2018, Pohutsky successfully ran as a Democrat for the Michigan House of Representatives for District 19, narrowly defeating Republican candidate Brian Meakin.[4][2][3] In the 2020 election Pohutsky was reelected, once again by a narrow margin.[5]
During the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, she endorsed Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren for President of the United States.[6]
During the 2022 Michigan House of Representatives election, Pohutskty ran to represent District 17, defeating opponent Penny Crider in a landslide. She was subsequently appointed speaker pro tempore of the Michigan House.[7]