George Cushingberry, Jr.

Infobox_State_Representative


name= George Cushingberry
width=
state_house=Michigan
state= Michigan
district= 8th
party= Democratic
term_start = 2005
preceded= Alma Stallworth
succeeded= Incumbent
place of birth= Royal Oak
religion = Baptist
spouse = Maria Hazel Drew Cushingberry

George Cushingberry, Jr. (Born January 6, 1953) is an African American member of the Michigan House of Representatives. A Democrat, Cushingberry represents Michigan's 8th House District, which is located located in North-Western Detroit, bordering 8 Mile Road to the North. As chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, He is one of the most senior members of the Michigan House. In 1975 he became the youngest ever member of the Michigan House (Age 21).

Early life

George Cushingberry, Jr. was born on January 6, 1953, to Edna and George Cushingberry. He graduated from Cass Tech High School with a Master's Degree in Political Science, Urban Politics, Policy, and Administration. He attended Wayne State University and The University of Detroit Mercy.

Political career

Elected in 1975, Cushingberry became the youngest person to serve in the Michigan State House, where he served until 1982. After leaving the House, he became a member of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, where he served for sixteen years. Cushingberry ran again for the State House in 2004, nearly thirty years after first being elected to that office. He won easily in the Detroit based 8th District, which is the smallest district in Michigan, and is heavily Democratic. He was re-elected in 2006 with 97% of the vote. He chairs the Appropriations Committee.

Controversy

NAFTA remarks

When speaking of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the outsourcing that has contributed to job loss in Michigan, Cushinberry called it a "Bad Trade Deal" by President George W. Bush [http://www.http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?] . NAFTA, however, was signed by President Bill Clinton. His comments sparked controversy, and the story was picked up by the conservative newspaper "The Detroit News".

Personal

George Cushingberry is married to Maria Hazel Drew Cushingberry and they have two children, George III and Brandon. He belongs to the New Mount Vernon Baptist Church. He is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and he hosts the Detroit TV show "The Prospector Reveals".

Electoral history

*2006 campaign for State House
**George Cushingberry, Jr. (D), 97%
**Melvin Byrd (R), 3%

*2004 campaign for State House
**George Cushingberry, Jr. (D), 97%
**Melvin Byrd (R), 3%

References

External links

* [http://008.housedems.com/ Official Website]
* [http://house.michigan.gov/rep.asp?DIST=008 House of Representatives Website]