About Penny

I'm Penny Crider, and I'm excited about the opportunity to be your next State Representative for Livonia in District 19. 

I have a deep love for this city. I was raised in Livonia, went to school here and have raised my family here. Very simply, Livonia is HOME. I am running for the District 19 House seat to be the voice of this community, a majority of whom want and expect someone to stand up for their "family first" values. 

My personal motto for this campaign is ‘FAMILY FIRST’ and that’s not how we’re being represented today in Lansing by our governor or our current state representative. Livonia and Michigan deserve better. 

I am the daughter of parents who grew up during the Great Depression.  Their experience in those tough times made my mom and dad very conservative both, personally and fiscally, in the way they lived their lives. This traditional conservatism rubbed off on me. My father was a Combat Engineer in the United States Army and served his beloved country with the 32nd division “Red Arrows” in the Pacific Theater from the beginning of WWII (Feb, 1942 - Oct, 1945) through to the end.  My father’s patriotism and love of country is also something I am proud to have inherited.  

Though I was born a Yooper in Marquette MI, I grew up in metro Detroit, moving to  Livonia as a young child.  I attended Clarenceville Schools from my days at Edgewood Elementary through my graduation from Clarenceville High School.  I met my now husband Ken while he was a junior at “C-Ville” High, and we have been happily married for almost 35 years.  Our one and only son attended Livonia Schools and carried on what is now a family tradition by marrying his high school sweetheart.  

My initial career was to raise my son, a decision I will never regret. After twenty years of managing our household, and volunteering at school and in the community. I attended Madonna University for an accelerated course in medical billing and coding.  But as fate would have it I had a chance meeting with my state senator, Patrick Colbeck, and I was hired right away to manage his district office.

As district manager I engaged with constituents and local elected officials daily, helping solve their problems. I also learned how Lansing works, so I can hit the ground running from day one as your next state representative.

I understand that Michigan is a destination state and Livonia rated one of the best cities to live in. I am dedicated to continuing to serve those who live in the city I love. As your state representative I will have a strong voice and do everything I can in Lansing to make sure people, including our sons and daughters, small business owners, and new industry leaders want to make Michigan and Livonia their home. I look forward to getting to know you and thank you in advance for your support.

I have been a "small government" warrior for all of my adult life with a history to prove it. I will fight to protect the US and State's Constitutions and fight to protect life and liberty. I understand that the constitutions protect our God given rights and that our constitutions puts limits on the government not the governed.