Christine Morse was born and raised in the small town of Tecumseh Michigan, near the Ohio border. She grew up the middle of three sisters. Her dad Bob worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years while her mom Pat was a small business bookkeeper.
Her dad’s goal was that Christine and her sisters take advantage of the opportunity that was not available to him, and become college educated. Supported by the hard work of their parents, and some student loans, Christine and her sisters all achieved and even surpassed their dad’s goal, thereby making him one proud man.
Through her parents’ efforts and her own to achieve her goals, Christine learned the value of hard work and perseverance.
Upon graduation from Tecumseh High, Christine attended Michigan State University where she earned a B.A. in Political Science Pre-law in 1995. She was awarded a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School 1998, and the Bar Exams of Michigan (1998) and California (1999).
Christine met her husband Kevin at MSU, and they married in 1997. In 1999, Kevin became an active duty member of the U.S. Navy. Multiple postings followed including California, Maryland, Japan, and Illinois. Kevin’s dental residency prompted Christine to put her career on hold to raise their growing family of three children: Canyon, Emory and Georgia. “Throughout our Navy life, we appreciated what our government provided including good schools, health care and an acknowledgment of the sacrifices servicemen and their families make to protect our country.”
Upon Kevin’s separation from the Navy (2010), the Morse family settled in Kalamazoo where they have lived since 2010.
Less than one year after settling in KZoo, Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was successfully treated at West Michigan Cancer Center and Bronson Methodist Hospital. “I was so grateful for the excellent care I received in Kalamazoo and for the support network that existed. I was lucky to have good health care coverage. Kalamazoo truly represents the very best of Michigan in terms of its people and resources-kind people, a safe place to raise a family, and plenty of opportunity to succeed.”
Christine’s political career began in 2018 when she successfully ran to become a member of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners for District 9. Her biggest challenge as a Commissioner has been working to support the residents of Texas Township through a flooding crisis that has persisted for over two years. Christine is working with Texas Township, the Office of the Drain Commissioner and the County Board to provide a long term solution to the flooding. A crisis of this nature requires a collaborative approach and Christine appreciates the importance of working together and communication to achieve a solution.
Now, Christine wants to be able to bring her brand of compassionate, pragmatic, and forward-thinking governing to the State House, District 61. She believes the 2020 election represents an opportunity for a positive change for her community, for a true representative that advocates for the people she represents.
“We deserve a Representative who is accessible and responsive to our residents. We should be investing in public education, protecting our water sources, investing in infrastructure, supporting our labor community, and promoting equality. I will fight for a Michigan that is welcoming and provides opportunity for all,” Christine says.
To learn more about Christine, donate to her campaign, or volunteer, visit https://www.vote4morse.com/.
Michigan’s Future is Female
Unresponsive, out-of-touch elected officials is a theme seen over and over in Michigan today. Years of gerrymandering, scape goating, and empty promises have seen backward slides in public education funding, slashes to environmental and public health protection agencies, and the stripping of worker rights in the state that birthed the UAW.
But with leaders like Christine Morse already in place and on the horizon, Michigan has a bright future to lead the nation in middle class growth, talent development, and economic stability.
Learn more about the Women Lead Michigan series.
[…] Christine Morse for State Representative, District 61 […]