Phil Skaggs for State House

Hi, I’m Phil Skaggs, and I'm running for State House because I believe in Michigan.

Currently, I serve the people of southeastern Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids (District 19) on Kent County Commission. Previously, I was a City Commissioner in East Grand Rapids for five years.

The Michigan redistricting commission has just submitted its final collaborative maps. In each of these maps, our State House district includes Kentwood, East Grand Rapids, Cascade Township, and parts of southern Grand Rapids Township.

Our communities want a Michigan where we support families, invest in education, care for our environment, grow good-paying jobs, promote public health, defend women’s access to reproductive healthcare, and protect our democracy.
That’s why I’m running for State House: to build a better community so everyone can believe in Michigan.

Results on the Kent County Commission

I'm honored to have been elected three times by the people of the 19th District - southeastern Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids -- to be your Kent County Commissioner.

For updates see my political Facebook page and my Commissioner Facebook page.

I'm proud of the accomplishments we've made for the people of Kent County:

COVID-19 Pandemic

Supported the Health Department’s robust test, trace, and isolate strategy and world-class vaccine clinic
Ensured federal grants were distributed equitably and where they were most needed: frontline workers, schools, small businesses, non-profits, childcare providers, housing, cities, and communities most affected by the virus
Added free WiFi hotspots in GR, EGR, and across the county to help close the digital divide so workers and students can reliably access the internet

Our Community

Hired Kent County’s first Chief Inclusion Officer and issued a countywide commitment to rid all systems of racial injustice and discrimination
Held polluters accountable, started cleaning up PFAS contaminants, and hired more scientists to support these efforts
Expanded two parks along the Grand River
Completed the Gerald R. Ford Airport remodel and expansion project
Signed an agreement with the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DGRI) ensuring the County, City of Grand Rapids, and DGRI are partners in spurring economic development downtown

Our Kids

Implemented the Ready by Five Early Childhood Development initiative to ensure all Kent County children are healthy and kindergarten-ready
Launched new efforts to aggressively find creative ways to limit exposure to lead paint and establish universal blood testing of children to end lead poisoning
Partnered with health providers to make dental care available to all Kent County children through the Healthy Kids Dental initiative

Finally, earlier this year, I was chosen by my colleagues on the Commission to serve as Minority Vice-Chair on the county executive committee, where I am proud to be a strong Democratic voice.

Before serving on the County Commission, I was an East Grand Rapids City Commissioner for 5 years (2012 to 2016) and I’m proud of what we in that time:

Implemented a comprehensive plan to fix our streets and sidewalks
Demonstrated that we are a welcoming community by passing a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance to protect the LGBT community
Built and upgraded parks and trails
Supported economic growth in the Gaslight Village business district
Balanced our budget with sound fiscal practices
Improved City communication with citizens by upgrading the website and starting a Facebook page.

I look forward to continuing to serve you.

I've lived in East Grand Rapids for over 20 years and raised a family here.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.