About

Bio: Amy Kerr Hardin is a lifelong resident of Michigan. Born in the Detroit area, she has resided in Traverse City for over three decades. She is a political activist and has consulted on numerous campaigns, including Democratic, Republican, and Independent races. Amy is a founding member of the coalition organized for the referendum to repeal Public Act 4 of 2011, commonly known as Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law. Additionally, She is vice-president and campaign manager of a Political Action Committee that works on local-level races. She also writes a blog, (Democracy-Tree), that produces watchdog commentary on all three branches of government. In her spare time, Amy is a regionally-known fine artist and has had multiple solo shows, although admittedly not during an election year.

Bio: Rob Smith lives, writes and works in Detroit, Michigan. He was born in Detroit, and has lived there his whole life. Almost. He left Motown to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He is very passionate about the intersection of race and politics, as well as environmentalism. While in college, he volunteered for local and state political campaigns, as well as Barack Obama’s 2008 race. When not thinking or writing about politics, he’s sleeping.

Bio: Warren D. Liverance lives on the East side with his wife of 30 years and two strapping sons. He spends the day in his messy violin shop and may be found most evenings flogging the bass in his 60s band The Highballs, or 70s band Rock Bottom. He has written all kinds of things over the years, mostly educational and technical, and this is his first foray into the political battlefield. His 23 year residency in the 13th Congressional District and a stint in the Detroit Public Schools make him the perfect spy for A2P. His favorite day is Sunday, in season, when after church he consumes adult beverages and smokes cigars while watching the NFL till he goes catatonic.

Bio: Elaine Hayes was raised in Trenton, Michigan, but has lived in Wyandotte (Downriver) for the last 21 years with her husband and 15-year-old daughter. She loves traveling and eating out.  Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, reading and practicing yoga. As a professional payroll representative by day, she also enjoys writing about anything food-related at likemyfood.wordpress.com during her off time. On occasion she can be found singing back-up vocals with a local band called “Rock Bottom.”

Bio: Jeff Irwin is serving his first term as State Representative for the 53rd District. Rep. Irwin will focus on leading Michigan’s economic recovery and creating jobs. He’s committed to supporting our schools and universities that prepare our children for high-tech 21st century jobs. Rep. Irwin will also fight to protect our natural resources, including the Great Lakes, which support tens of thousands of jobs in the boating, fishing and tourism industries. Prior to his election, Rep. Irwin served the people of Ann Arbor as a Washtenaw County Commissioner for 10 years where he worked to balance the budget, fight homelessness, promote government collaboration, protect natural areas and support public transit. He was named “Best Young Government Leader of the Year” in 2000 by the Michigan Jaycees, “Best Elected Official” in 2007 by the Workforce Development Board and was a founding member of Partners For Transit, which is committed to providing county-wide public transit to Washtenaw County residents. Rep. Irwin and his wife, Kathryn, live in Ann Arbor with their daughter Sylvia.

Bio: Joe DiSano is a long-time veteran of Michigan politics and has experience in races across the United States. Before establishing Message Design Group, DiSano served in various key staff positions for the Michigan House Democrats and Congressman John Dingell. In 2002, Message Design Group was retained by the Michigan House Democratic Fund. DiSano was active in Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s 2001 campaign. where he co-authored the field plan and contributed to the direct mail program. DiSano was the manager of Michigan State Representative George Mans’s 1996 campaign and was lead strategist on Doug Spade’s 1998 long shot race for the Michigan House of Representatives. Spade went on to become the first Democratic House member from Lenawee County since World War I. DiSano founded Main Street Strategies 2007 alongside Kelly Johnston and Todd Cook. Main Street Strategies offers political candidates and advocacy group top-notch campaign advice and strategic communication plans. Clients of Main Street Strategies include Progress Michigan, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Environmental Defense Fund, Operating Engineers Local 325, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, State Representative Andrew Kandrevas along with dozens of others. DiSano is the former co-host of Two Guys Named Joe, Michigan’s most popular political podcast. Currenty, DiSano is the co-host of Politibomb, a new podcast focused on Michigan politics that can be found at www.politibomb.com Joe DiSano lives in Potterville, Michigan with his wife, Michelle and their son, Anthony.

Bio: Betsy McMillin has called Ann Arbor home for 20 years. It’s where she and her husband are currently raising their kids, ages 2 to 14. In addition to the six kids, she holds three degrees from Eastern Michigan University, one each in Elementary Education, Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Her hobbies (as of the past 14 years) include kids, laundry, cooking, diapers and breastfeeding. Betsy will be writing for A2Politico about parenting. She has about a million ideas for columns (assuming she and A2Politico make it to the year 2200), and will answer parenting questions from readers.

Bio: Moeechay Hall, also known as Mo, has lived off and on in Ann Arbor Michigan since the age of nine. She attended Pioneer High School, Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan studying Health Administration. Moeechay resides on the north side of Ann Arbor with her handsome son, and is surrounded by many family and friends. Mo writes for A2Politico about single parenting issues. She’ll be writing her weekly pieces in between work, making dinner, driving her son to his practices, her son driving her to distraction at times, and trying to have a personal life.