Winnie Brinks is a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate representing District 29 . She serves as Senate Majority Leader, the first woman and first Democrat in nearly 40 years to hold this position, and the first woman to represent Grand Rapids in the Senate since 1920.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in sociology from Calvin College.
• Early Career: Grew up on a dairy farm as the daughter of Dutch immigrants; worked as a school paraprofessional at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, executive director of a community-based corrections agency, and caseworker at The Source helping businesses and nonprofits improve workplaces and retain employees; named PTA Member of the Year.
• *State House *: Served three terms as a Democrat from House District 76, advocating for education access, ending abuse at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, and protecting West Michigan’s drinking water.
• *State Senate *: Elected in 2018; served as Democratic Whip before becoming Majority Leader in 2023.

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Led efforts to reduce toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water and championed clean, accessible water.
• Advocated for maternal health equity, reproductive rights, lower prescription drug costs, expanded health care access, sick leave protections, and support for small businesses and local communities.
• Known for launching a write-in campaign against political lack of transparency and achieving gender parity in her Senate caucus. Married to Steve Brinks with three daughters: Olivia, Annalise, and Emma.