When I was 9 years old, my parents, Charlie and Kim LaSata moved my three siblings and me from the City of St. Joe to our farm in Bainbridge. They had a simple goal of raising their children to be hardworking, dedicated, and driven individuals. Before I knew it, my younger siblings and I spent our summers turning down invitations for beach days with friends to plant grape vines alongside our parents. Their goal had been achieved not just because we grew up on a small family farm, but because of the example my parents set. Particularly my mom, Kim LaSata.

As her daughter, I have been so proud to watch my mom in her role as the first female Representative for the 79th District. I have watched as she attended endless coffee hours and city, township, and public meetings. I have watched as she made countless phone calls regarding legislation, carefully weighing which vote would best represent our area’s interests. I hope young women throughout southwest Michigan will look up to her as I do when she becomes the first female to ever serve our area in the State Senate.

I’m also proud of her for running a campaign focused on the issues important to southwest Michigan families. She has remained positive, even while being blamed for negative mailers that outside groups have sent. I wish more people knew that by law, these outside groups cannot coordinate with or get approval from either campaign. I wish more people knew that when someone says they are sent by “her team” they are accusing myself, my younger siblings, and a dedicated group of hard working volunteers. We are who makes up “Team LaSata” and we are proud of the campaign she has ran.

Whether as a mother, a farmer, a State Representative, or a State Senate candidate, my mom continues to be an example of what hardworking, dedicated, and driven individuals can achieve. Those are the qualities we need in our State Senator, and it’s why I humbly ask that you join me in voting for my working mom this Aug. 7.

Sarah LaSata

Benton Harbor