Laurie Pohutsky | |
|---|---|
| Speaker pro tempore of theMichigan House of Representatives | |
| In office January 11, 2023 – January 8, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Pamela Hornberger |
| Succeeded by | Rachelle Smit |
| Member of theMichigan House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Laura Cox |
| Constituency | 19th district (2019–2022) 17th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Laurie Tennant (1988-04-28)April 28, 1988 (age 37) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Michigan State University (BS) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Laurie Pohutsky (néeTennant; born April 28, 1988) is an American politician serving as a member of theMichigan House of Representatives since 2019, currently representing the17th district.[1] She is a member of theDemocratic Party.
Pohutsky was born Laurie Tennant inLivonia, Michigan. She grew up inRedford, Michigan.[2] Between 2006 and 2010 she attendedMichigan State University, graduating with aBachelor of Science inMicrobiology.[3] Pohutsky then worked as alaboratory technician for several companies in fields involving food safety, toxicology and health care.[4]
In 2018, Pohutsky successfully ran as aDemocrat for theMichigan House of Representatives forDistrict 19, narrowly defeatingRepublican candidate Brian Meakin.[5][3][4] In the2020 election Pohutsky was reelected, once again by a narrow margin.[6]
During the2020 Democratic presidential primaries, sheendorsedMassachusettsSenatorElizabeth Warren forPresident of the United States.[7]
During the2022 Michigan House of Representatives election, Pohutsky ran to representDistrict 17, defeating opponent Penny Crider in a landslide. She was subsequently appointedspeaker pro tempore of the Michigan House.[8]
Pohutsky was reelected to the 17th districtin 2024.[9]
Pohutsky is openlybisexual.[10] In February 2025, she revealed she had undergonesterilization in the prior month, saying "I refuse to let my body be treated as currency by an administration that only sees value in my ability to procreate".[11] Pohutsky was a sponsor of the legislation passed in April 2023 that repealed the 1931 criminalization ofabortion in Michigan.[12]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Speaker pro tempore of theMichigan House of Representatives 2023–2025 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theMichigan House of Representatives for the19th district 2019–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theMichigan House of Representatives for the17th district 2023–present | Succeeded by |