Barb Byrum for State Representative

Background:

Barb Byrum was raised in Onondaga, so she knows what the people of Ingham County truly care about. As a longtime resident of the area, she understands the values and the issues that matter most to her community and her neighbors.

Barb is active in her community. She owns a business, Byrum Hardware in Charlotte. She is also a past president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Barb is in her second year of chairing the Ingham County Economic Development Board and serves as secretary of the Ingham County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board. She is involved in many Chambers of Commerce throughout the District, as well as with several community groups, such as the Mason Rotary Club. Barb is a board member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and vestry member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Mason, helping the church with numerous projects such as membership recruitment.

A strong supporter of public education, Barb attended Leslie and Holt public schools. While a student at Leslie High School, Barb attended classes at Lansing Community College. Upon her graduation from high school, she transferred to Michigan State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management. Later, Barb received a law degree from the MSU College of Law. Most recently, she serves on the scholarship committee of the Holt-Dimondale School Business Alliance, which gives scholarships to local seniors. She has also been a visiting reader in local elementary schools and serves as a mentor at Holt High School.

Barb is committed to protecting and preserving Michigan's natural resources. As an avid scuba diver, Barb understands the importance of ensuring our Great Lakes are clean and healthy. She has helped keep our state greener through her work as the Mid-Michigan Coordinator for Green Michigan and by working to clean up the Grand River through the Adopt-A-River program in Ingham County.

For Barb, family is very important. She married her high school sweetheart, Brad Delaney, an Ingham County Deputy Sheriff, in 2003. Barb has a close relationship with her parents, Dianne and Jim; her brother Jimmy; and her grandmothers. Barb and Brad share their 2-acre home with Grey, a cat Barb found in her parents' barn, and their dog Liberty, a Golden Retriever.

Goals:

I am running because the citizens of Lansing and Ingham County deserve a state representative who will fight for the issues that are important to them and be a true voice for them. My goal is to help make Mid-Michigan a great place to work, live, do business and raise a family.

Issues:

1) Jobs: Creating and keeping good paying jobs by attracting business, giving out workers the tools they need to succeed in a global 21st Century economy and supporting cutting-edge, emerging fields such as advanced manufacturing, alternative fuels, life sciences and homeland security.

2) Health Care: Lowering the outrageous cost of prescription drugs through plans such as bulk buying.

3) Education: Strengthening education in Michigan, beginning at the earliest stages by expanding access to high-quality early education for our children.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing is at the heart of my campaign. I have knocked on many doors, talked to thousands of voters and written countless letters to voters in the district to engage them in the issues and listen to their input. I have a team of dedicated and committed supporters and volunteers who share our goal of strengthening our economy, ensuring seniors and families on fixed incomes enjoy a good quality of life and helping our children receive the best education possible.

I have met with and talked to Democracy for America leaders and members and I believe our common goals will help us form a strong partnership to reach out to more citizens. Together, we can get out the vote and reach out to more people.

DFA Values:

I am both fiscally responsible and socially progressive. I am pro-choice. I strongly support Michigan's higher minimum wage and will work to ensure that workers continue to be paid a fair, decent wage that keeps pace with inflation and allows them to enjoy a good quality of life. As a small-business owner running a hardware store, I understand the importance of being fiscally responsible. I am also active in local Chambers of Commerce and community development agencies. As chairwoman of the Ingham County Economic Development Board and secretary of the Ingham County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board, I have played an active role in exciting economic development projects that will benefit Mid-Michigan working families.