Betsy Coffia has entered the race to represent Grand Traverse County in the state House starting in 2015. The democrat made the announcement Monday night in Traverse City before a crowd of 40 supporters.
“365 days from today, we go to the polls,” she said. “I am so honored and excited and honored to have each of you here as I announce my candidacy for the 104th state House of Representatives for Grand Traverse County.”
Coffia garnered 43 percent of the vote in her first run for the seat last year, in a candidacy that argued Lansing politics are broken and in need of deep reform. She is running in a district that has long been a Republican stronghold.
Republican Wayne Schmidt, who Coffia challenged in 2012, is term limited and cannot run again for the House seat. So far, Republicans in the race include long-time Grand Traverse County Commissioner Larry Inman, and former County Commissioner Rob Hentchel.