Senator Darrin Camilleri’s Journey from School Teacher to the Senate

In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Michigan Senate Assistant Majority Leader Darrin Camilleri, who shares how his upbringing as the son of an immigrant and his early experiences as a teacher shaped his view on policy and public service. He discusses what it takes to make a successful career change into elected office, how he was the only Democrat to flip a seat in 2016, and the lessons Democrats should keep in mind to ensure victory in this year’s election. The Senator also discusses how he is trying to improve school funding policies and his leadership on Michigan’s recently passed voting rights act to expand ballot access and increase protections for voters with disabilities. Tune in to learn more about how Senator Camilleri approaches policy and politics in his swing state.

IN THIS EPISODE

• [01:03] Michigan State Senator Darrin Camilleri details his path to Michigan and public service as the child of an immigrant.

• [03:41] How his background influenced his view on policies and public service. 

• [06:35] What it took to successfully transition from school teacher to state legislature.

• [07:21] What Senator Camilleri’s 2016 campaign can teach us about split tickets in 2024.

• [10:57] Lessons learned from previous elections to aid VP Kamala Harris’ campaign.

• [13:48] Understanding voter concerns ahead of November’s election compared to the worries of previous campaigns. 

• [15:11] What Senator Camilleri and the Senate Democrats are doing to improve voting rights in Michigan.

• [17:03] How the polls are looking in Michigan, and what Americans can do to help the Harris-Walz campaign in the Great Lakes State. 

• [18:23] The differences in roles and policymaking between the House and the Senate.

• [20:04] School funding politics from the senator’s perspective. 

• [22:30] Senator Camilleri’s current policy plans and future goals in his hopes for a better Michigan.

• [24:37] The evolution of the Michigan legislature, and where it could be in the next five years.