State Senator Mickey Switalski (D-Roseville)

Michael N. Switalski was born on January 11, 1955 in Roseville, MI to Norbert and Nancy Switalski. Growing up in an active household with parents who fostered education and hard work is what made Mickey who he is today. As one of seven children, Mickey learned quickly that a loud voice and competitive spirit is what it took to survive with four sisters and two brothers. That voice and spirit has stayed with Mickey and has allowed him to dedicate his life to public service. But much happened in his life prior to public service though, that paved the way for his successful political career…

As a youngster, Mickey and his childhood friends attended grade school at Sacred Heart in Roseville and later graduated from Roseville High School in 1973. Those who went to school with Mickey voted him the “Class Wit”, a title he most likely won by a landslide. Being that Mickey had a loud voice, a competitive  spirit and the “wit” to make him one of the most popular graduates of the Class of 1973, it is only fitting that Mickey would take the next step and attend college to further challenge himself and have his voice heard.

Mickey attended Louisiana State University where he majored in Classical Languages and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1977. He stayed at LSU where he also earned an MA in History in 1981.  LSU is not only his alma mater, but the very place he met Roma Heaney, his wife of 24 years. Mickey continued his education at Duke University earning a Minor in Classics  and he then traveled to Aberdeen, Scotland where he did Post-Graduate work in politics at the University of Aberdeen, however he did not complete his dissertation.

As a result of Mickey’s diverse and impressive education background he was eager to join the workforce back home in Michigan, first working for General Dynamics in the Labor Relations Department. During his time with General Dynamics Mickey began his career in public service when he was elected to the Roseville City Council where he served from 1989-1992. It was then that Mickey realized his ability to lead and his passion for public service. In 1993 he left General Dynamics to pursue a fulltime career as a public servant. Mickey was elected Macomb County Commissioner from 1993-1998  and then made the transition to state government as a Representative from 1999-2002. In 2003 Mickey was elected to his current post in the Michigan Senate, where he currently serves as the Vice Chair of Appropriations.

Not only has Mickey committed his own life to public service, so have the members of his family. His two brothers Mark and Matthew Switalski are Macomb County Circuit Court judges and his cousin, Jon Switalski was recently elected to the State House of Representatives. Mickey also has a dedicated group of family and friends who volunteer their time in the community and on his campaigns.

Mickey currently resides in Roseville where he lives with his wife Roma and son Liam, along with the recent and welcomed addition of his mother, Nancy. In his free time you can find Mickey on the golf course with his life-long friends “The Schoolboys”, on the soccer field with Liam or at various events around the community.