Waterford Township Trustee Anthony Bartolotta announced February 8 he has decided not to pursue being a state representative and is instead endorsing Heidi Warrington in the March 1 special election to replace the late 43rd District state representative Andrea Schroeder, who died October 1, 2021 after a three year battle with cancer.
Warrington is a Republican activist and former district representative for Schroeder, who urged her to run and endorsed Warrington’s candidacy just four days before she passed away.
“After the time to withdraw had expired, I made the decision that my real love is working for Waterford Township as an elected official in my hometown, not as an elected official in Lansing,” Bartolotta said. “Therefore, I signed a waiver not to spend more than $1,000.  As I watched the campaign unfold, I became increasingly impressed with Heidi Warrington. Her background as Andrea Schroeder’s district representative, her successful career as chief nursing officer at Common Ground, and her stands on the issues impressed me greatly. (On February 7), I met her and became even more impressed.  After a great deal of soul searching, I have concluded that Heidi is the best candidate for Waterford, Independence, Clarkston, and Lake Angelus.  Therefore, I am endorsing her, voting for her, and I urge my supporters to vote for her, too.
“It is also clear to me that she will represent all of the communities in her district. She is a strong and impressive leader.”
Warrington was very gratified and humbled by receiving Bartolotta’s support.
“It is clear to me that Anthony Bartolotta loves the work he does as a township trustee and that he has made an enormous contribution to Waterford as a trustee for more than decade,” Warrington said. “He is a bright, energetic, and passionate public servant. He is a man of genuine honesty and integrity, and it is very humbling and gratifying to have his support and his vote. I really appreciate it.”
Warrington has been endorsed by Michigan Right to Life.
A registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who will have her Master’s degree in Nursing next year, Warrington also has several related certifications in healthcare and has won numerous awards.
Her Republican activities include president of Greater Oakland Republican Club, 8th Congressional District appointed representative for Oakland County, and State Republican Committee delegate.

Mike Harris, who is also running for the state rep seat along with Kent Johnson and Linda Ybarra-Bozzone, said he is “passionate about making Michigan a safer place to raise your family.”
“As a former, decorated police officer in our community, I’ve spent decades of my life serving the people and protecting the most vulnerable,” Harris said. “Now, I want to go to Lansing and protect you and your families, keep our laws against criminals strong, work hard to reduce big government, continue to uphold my oath to support the Constitution, and support you and your family’s right to pursue the American dream.
“Michigan has suffered through an unprecedented two years. Government has used the pandemic to treat small business owners as criminals while treating criminals as misunderstood children. Voter security has been compromised with the watering down of ID requirements, and the state’s justice system is more concerned with radical environmentalism than criminals. I will be a voice to return to sanity and common sense, and return government to its legitimate purposes.”
Endorsements secured by Harris include former state representatives in the 43rd District, Jim Tedder and Gail Haines, the Michigan Association of Police, Association of Waterford Police Supervisors, Waterford Township Supervisor Gary Wall, White Lake Township Clerk Anthony Noble, Michigan Association of Public Employees, Waterford Township Chief of Police (Ret.) John B. Dean, Waterford Township Fire Chief (Ret.) Dennis Storrs and Chief (Ret.) John Lyman, and Michigan Association of Fire Fighters.
Harris is the former union president for both the Waterford Township Police Officer’s Association and the Association of Waterford Police Supervisors, former chairperson for the Waterford Coalition for Youth, former vice-president of the Michigan Association of Police, and current member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Sons of the American Legion, and the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners.