A Brighton Township Woman has announced her candidacy for the one of the redrawn state House districts that will represent Livingston County.
Brighton Township photographer Christina Kafkakis is running as a Democrat for the 49th District seat that includes Green Oak and Brighton townships as well as the City of Brighton in Livingston County, along with a slice of Oakland County that extends eastward through Lyon Township into Wixom and then on to Walled Lake.
Kafkakis says she is entering the race because of a desire to serve the community in a new capacity.
“As a photographer, I’ve dedicated myself to serving my clients, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, I found myself being called in a different direction.”
Kafkakis says when her husband’s job of nearly 25 years suddenly ended during the pandemic, they found themselves navigating unfamiliar territory; “…applying for social services that we’d always contributed to, but hadn’t utilized before then,” she said. “We are extremely thankful for those services that helped get us through those tough times.”
Kafkakis says she’s no stranger to community service, coaching Science Olympiad, FIRST Lego League Jr. and FIRST Lego League, as well as serving as an active member of the Brighton Orchestra Boosters and several school PTOs. In addition, she has served on the Board for the Livingston County Spartans, and the Livingston Area Parents of Multiples. She is a Volunteer Photographer for Flashes of Hope, and is a former Area Coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
Kafkakis, who grew up in the Flint area and graduated from Carman-Ainsworth High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. She and her husband, Nick, an automotive engineer, have lived in Livingston County since 2001, and have four children, all attending Brighton Area Schools.
Kafkakis is the only Democrat to file for the seat so far. Current 42nd District State Representative Ann Bollin of Brighton Township and Chase Turner of Northville, have filed to run in the August Republican primary.
