Kerry Tapper for State Representative MI-HD-39

If you'd rather send a check, please make it out to "Committee to Elect Kerry Tapper" and mail it to 44363 Carla Drive, Paw Paw, MI 49079

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My name is Kerry Tapper and I am a Democrat running for State Representative in Michigan’s 39th House District. 

For those of you who don’t know my background, let me share a little bit about myself.  

I am a proud mother, 

a small business owner with my amazing husband, John, for 30 years, 

daughter of two teachers, 

and the oldest of four siblings. 

I grew up in Boyne City, where I enjoyed many trips to the beaches of Lake Michigan. My parents built a home together for us near Lake Charlevoix, where we grew up playing in the woods building forts and sledding with the neighborhood kids.

After my mom’s 4th pregnancy she developed bipolar disorder and my parents divorced. She moved across the state to live with her parents and was unable to function as a mother, which was heartbreaking to mom and to nine year old me and my siblings.

My dad did an amazing job of raising us. He taught shop, coached, and took on other jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. I learned so much about hard work from him, and about the idea that some things just need to get done. I entered the workforce at twelve; keeping that salad bar stocked was a huge source of pride for young me 😊. I’ve been working ever since. 

I worked around school and sports schedules, and graduated 2nd in my class. After graduating from CMU with a bachelor’s in marketing I moved for work to Atlanta, Georgia, where I met my future husband. We chose to move back to his hometown of Paw Paw to work side by side in our business, start our family, and be back in the great state of Michigan. I was so happy to be back near Lake Michigan. 

A week after we moved back to Michigan, I lost my beloved father unexpectedly to a heart attack. I was 25 and lost without my rock. My siblings and I have supported each other through thick and thin, and have raised our children together. I am so grateful for the unconditional love that we all have for one another. 

Feeling lost in a new town and in honor of the love that my Dad inspired in all of us for basketball, I volunteered as assistant coach for the PPHS girl’s basketball team 1995-1997. This led to me joining many organizations in our community throughout the years which resulted in many valued relationships in our great community.

During these last four years, I had the privilege to walk beside, love and care for our mother during her end of life challenges. She asked me to take care of our family—a loving responsibility that I do not take lightly.  

As John and I have made the transition to being empty nesters, I’ve felt a growing desire to speak up and speak out. With my years of experience and lessons learned as a mother and small business owner, I want to be a voice for the people of our community, do the research about what the legislature can do better for our district, take it to Lansing, get to work and make a difference.

Like so many of you I am disheartened to see what is currently occurring in our political climate, particularly for our children, our nieces and nephews and the generations to come. I want to be in a position to make a difference for our family and yours. I feel we can Do Better, Be Better and Find the Balance. I would love the opportunity to earn your Vote. 

I’m so excited! As the kids say, LET’S GOOO!!