State Senator Darwin Booher was elected to the Michigan Senate in November 2010 representing the 35th District, which includes Benzie, Clare, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mecosta, Missaukee, Osceola, Roscommon, and Wexford counties.

COMMITTEE

Booher will chair the Senate Banking & Financial Institutions Committee for the 2011-14 legislative term. He will serve as vice chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and as a member of the important Senate Appropriations Committee, where he will chair the Community Colleges and Capital Outlay subcommittees.

Booher will also serve on the Senate Fiscal Agency board of governors and the Appropriations subcommittees for the departments of Community Health, Natural Resources (DNR), and Environmental Quality.

EDUCATION

Sen. Booher is a graduate of Evart High School, the University of Madison, Bank School and Michigan Assessor's School.

PROFESSIONAL

Prior to his election to the Senate, Booher served three terms in the Michigan House. He was first elected in 2004 to represent residents of Osceola, Mecosta and Wexford counties. Booher served on the House Appropriations Committee for his entire career in House, serving as caucus chair on subcommittees for community colleges, natural resources, special governmental operations, and the House Banking and Financial Services Committee.

As a state representative, Booher earned the Champion of Commerce Award from the Michigan Chamber for his support of strengthening business in the state. He was named 2008 Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Association of Timbermen and 2009 Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Township Association.

Booher worked as sales manager at Citizens Bank and as vice-president of Bank One for a combined 40 years, as well as farming his entire life. For 28 years he owned and operated a small business.

PAST PUBLIC AFFILIATIONS

Booher served 28 years as Osceola Township supervisor and assessor. He was on the Board of Trustees for Spectrum Health, Reed City Campus and in 1994 was appointed by Gov. John Engler as a Freedom Force to Russia member to explore mutual opportunities between the two nations. Booher also was a charter member of the Evart Downtown Development Association (1984-2000) and the Local Development Finance Commission (1990-2004).

PERSONAL

Darwin and his wife Jan have been married for forty-five years. They raised four children and now enjoy spending time with their six grandchildren. They have also hosted ten exchange students from all over the world.

Booher is an avid outdoorsman and a member of the National Rifle Association. He is a past-president of the Evart Jaycees and a life member of the Evart Historical Society and Evart Chamber of Commerce.