Sylvia Santana

DETROIT — Sylvia  Santana was elected to succeed her husband, Harvey Santana, in the Michigan House of Representatives for the oddly shaped District 9.

That district covers a portion of east Dearborn and a bulk of Detroit, including the Warrendale area. 

Santana said she’s gotten to know many of her constituents, which includes a robust populations of Arab Americans, African Americans, Latinos and
Caucasians.

“We just received and welcomed into our community 1,300 refugees,” she said. “I think that our community is a well blended community and I like that. There are cross-cultural concerns that we can address, but overall we all have family values and want a great neighborhood and a great community.”

Diversity is the norm for Santana. While her husband is Puerto Rican, she is an African American. Together, they have three children.

She noted, however, that even though she is replacing her husband in the House, residents shouldn’t consider her as an extension of his term.

“We do see eye to eye on certain issues, but I’m also going to be my own independent legislator,” Santana said. “I’m sure there are perceptions out there that we will be alike, but I’m positive there will be differences as well.”

Santana obtained a seat in the House at what Democrats perceive to be a strenuous time, with Republicans gaining a stronghold in the state once again.

If she does have anything in common with her husband, it is finding a balance to work with the other side in order to ensure productivity in the state government.

“I want to go to the legislature with an open mind,” Santana said. “I want to work handily with my party and get to know the members of the other side of the aisle. It’s in the best interest of Michigan that we work together to make it a stronger and greater place.”

Santana highlighted some of the shortcomings of the Democratic Party, adding that she wasn’t surprised that the Republicans swept the state, despite setbacks that included the Flint water crisis.

She noted that from early on, her party failed to capitalize on momentum set by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. 

“I think that we missed some very key points,” Santana said. “I think it brings an opportunity for us as Democrats to really look at the issues and see where we need to strengthen our message overall so we can impact our base and get them out to vote.” 

Santana said one of her top platform items as a state rep. will be to attract small businesses to the district.

“A lot of consumers are purchasing from businesses outside of their areas because they don’t have a variety in their neighborhood,” she said. “We want to see a walkable community, where people can have access to a coffee house and places where they can actually live, work and play.”

She also wants to build relations with the community and industry-based businesses surrounding the neighborhoods.

“I would like to see more of a relationship with those industry-based businesses to be able to hire locally,” Santana said. “If we can build a talent base right in our community, we can be a pipeline to those businesses to hire locally. I think it would be a great blend for economic development.” 

Santana said she has met with State Rep.-elect Abdullah Hammoud, whose District 15 covers the remainder of Dearborn. She said that she’s looking forward to working with him and opening further opportunities with the Arab community.

“I continue to have a great relationship with the Arab community,” Santana said. “I’ve had several neighbors who live next to us and I’ve had the privilege to break bread with them. I’ve met people from Iraq and people from Syria, so I do have a close heart to them.”