About Senator John Damoose
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Senator John Damoose’s life and public service have been shaped by the values of Northern Michigan: faith, family, hard work, personal responsibility, and a deep respect for the communities and traditions that make this region unlike any other.
John has been part of the Harbor Springs community since childhood. It is where he and his wife of 31 years, Margo, raised their four children, built a successful business, and committed themselves to serving their neighbors. His family’s roots in Northern Michigan run deep. His grandfather served as city manager in Traverse City, and his grandmother was one of the original co-founders of the beloved Old Town Playhouse.
Today, John serves as state senator for Michigan’s 37th Senate District, representing Northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula. Since taking office, he has earned a reputation as a thoughtful, effective conservative leader who brings common sense, civility, and a results-oriented approach to the Michigan Legislature.
John’s commitment to conservative principles began early, including his service as president of the College Republicans at the University of Michigan. But at his core, John has always been a builder, a businessman, and a storyteller.
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1994 with a degree in political science, John began his career at the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach, Virginia. There, he learned the craft of national television production and went on to write and produce a two-hour documentary on the story of America, Victory in Spite of All Terror. That experience launched a career devoted to telling stories of character, sacrifice, leadership, and the American spirit.
In 1997, John returned to Michigan with Margo and their newborn daughter. That same year, he co-authored a book with Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, exploring the founding principles of the United States. More than 90,000 copies of the book were sold and it was ultimately hand-delivered to every member of Congress.
In 2000, John and his father founded 45 North Productions with a mission to tell the stories of the people, institutions, and ideals that made America great. Over the next two decades, John co-authored and produced nine national television specials on themes including Arlington National Cemetery, the Medal of Honor, military families, NASA, and the American automobile industry.
He and his father were also contracted by the Department of Defense to produce the official documentary commemorating the opening of the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial — a project of profound personal meaning, as both had been inside the Pentagon when the plane struck on September 11, 2001.
Through 45 North Productions, John interviewed hundreds of America’s top political, military, business, and civic leaders, including presidents, secretaries of defense, chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. senators, members of Congress, and corporate executives. Those conversations gave him a front-row education in leadership, service, and the principles that sustain free societies.
John also wrote, directed, and produced The New American Road, a three-part series commissioned by Ford Motor Company that told the story of America’s automobile industry — an industry he believes remains central to Michigan’s identity and future.
For nearly 30 years, John has been closely associated with the organization that hosts the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. In recent years, he also served as executive director of Building America’s Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to rebuilding America’s manufacturing workforce and strengthening Career and Technical Education.
That background has shaped John’s work in the Senate. He has been a strong voice for Michigan manufacturing, workforce development, and the skilled trades. The Michigan Manufacturers Association recognized him as a Legislator of the Year for four consecutive years, citing his consistent leadership on behalf of Michigan manufacturers.
In 2026, MichAuto also named him its Automobile Industry Legislator of the Year, recognizing his support for Michigan’s signature automotive industry and his commitment to bipartisan consensus on policies that strengthen the state’s economy.
John has also led on issues that require both conviction and cooperation. In 2025 and 2026, he helped advance bipartisan legislation to crack down on human trafficking, strengthen penalties against traffickers, and better protect survivors. The package drew support across party lines and was unanimously approved by the Michigan Senate.
At the same time, John has remained focused on the people and places of Northern Michigan. He helped lead the statewide response to the terrible 2025 ice storm and 2026 flooding that ripped through our regions. He has worked to strengthen the year-round economy so that our children can build families and careers closer to home. He has fought for Career and Technical Education, supported policies to make life more affordable, and defended the small businesses, farms, families, and workers who form the backbone of the region.
John has also been a vocal advocate for Michigan’s Corrections Officers, calling attention to dangerous staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, and untenable working conditions inside the state’s prisons. He has worked to ensure that those who serve in these difficult roles receive the support, respect, and relief they deserve.
In 2026, legislation sponsored by John to support Mackinac Island and Northern Michigan tourism was signed into law. The measure strengthened Mackinac Island’s ability to regulate ferry-related fees — an important step for local residents, businesses, workers, and families who depend on one of Michigan’s premier tourism destinations.
Throughout his service, John has sought to lead with both principle and grace. He believes public office is not about personal ambition, but about stewardship — defending the way of life that makes Northern Michigan special and building a stronger future for the next generation.
John and Margo live in Harbor Springs. Margo serves as parish ministry coordinator at Holy Childhood of Jesus Church and as a member of the Harbor Springs School Board. Together, they are committed Christian believers whose highest priorities are their faith, their family, and helping restore the enduring principles on which America was founded.
John is proud to have earned support from leading organizations across Michigan, including the Small Business Association of Michigan, National Federation of Independent Business, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac, Michigan Freedom Network, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal Order of Police, Right to Life of Michigan, Michigan Credit Union League, Citizens for Traditional Values, and Michigan Corn Growers Association.
Awards & Recognitions
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Automobile Industry Legislator of the Year, MichAuto - 2026
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Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) Legislator of the Year - 4 Strait Years, 2023 - 2026
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Future Farmers of America (FFA) Agricultural Education Supporter - 2026
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Michigan YMCA, Champion’s Award - 2025
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Michigan Association of School Social Workers, Legislator of the Year - 2024
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Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates, Legislative Champion - 2024
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Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, Legislator of the Year - 2024
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Michigan Association of Timbermen Legislator of the Year - 2021
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Michigan Legislature Hospitality and Tourism Caucus, Chairman
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Legislative Pro-Life Caucus, Founder and Chairman
