He was a darkish horse candidate to win the 59th Home District seat six years in the past.
Now, after that unexpected victory over extra well-known names within the August 2014 major election, Aaron Miller is finishing the third of three, two-year phrases and shifting his focus to life after politics.
Miller, 33, stated he struggles to make sense of the place the time has gone. Nonetheless, he stated the chance to serve St. Joseph and Cass counties from 2015 by 2020 has been an honor.
Apart from being a father and some different modifications in his private life, Miller insists he stays the identical individual immediately that he was following his election win, which included opponents John Bippus and the late Roger Rathburn.
“(Final week) I went into Meijer and I used to be sporting shorts, a T-shirt and sandals … that was the me of 10 years in the past and that’s the me of immediately,” he stated. “However character-wise, I’ve all the time recognized it’s necessary to maintain your toes on the bottom. I consider one thing my brother Isaac stated again then. He stated ‘Aaron, for those who go to Lansing and turn out to be somebody you’re not, I’m going to punch you within the face.’”
By all accounts, it seems Miller’s face stays intact. Isaac and people who know Miller finest are more likely to affirm Miller seems to haven’t forgotten who he was when, at age 27, he grew to become the second-youngest of Michigan’s 110-member Home of Representatives, in January 2015.
“To Isaac’s level, remaining grounded and staying the identical has been a precedence of mine and I’ve all the time vowed to the suitable factor, it doesn’t matter what,” he stated.
Miller, a former highschool math instructor, stated COVID-19 apart, about 90 % of his job in Lansing unfolded as he anticipated. Colleagues in Lansing and mates again in St. Joseph and Cass counties would say Miller takes extraordinary steps to organize himself and turn out to be educated a couple of topic earlier than he renders an opinion or takes a place.
He stated working in Lansing has launched him to lots of of individuals, many who’re elected officers and plenty of who aren’t. Most of his friends within the Home are humble individuals who come from easy backgrounds, he stated.
“Very similar to me, they’re individuals who wish to serve their state, they accomplish that humbly. That’s what I got down to do and I like seeing that in different individuals as nicely,” Miller stated. “I feel all people’s image of what a politician is is mostly somebody who’s wealthy, corrupt and a slimeball. I might like to take as many individuals as attainable to Lansing to point out them that, for probably the most half, there are some actually sturdy characters there.”
Miller stated he by no means overpassed the concept that as a politician, it’s OK to disagree kindly, however ind a approach to work collectively.
At occasions, he believes the state – and the nation, for that matter – is extra partisan now than it was when he first took workplace.
He presents merely recommendation.
“Total, we have to be taught to be form to 1 one other, once more” he stated. “You’ll be able to disagree agreeably and I feel we’ve missed that a bit bit. I feel social media has contributed to that, a minimum of a bit, and I can say that I’m wanting ahead to eliminating my (legislative) Fb Jan. 1.”
Due to time period limits, Miller knew his time in Lansing was coming to an finish, so he by no means considered whether or not he’d prefer to serve a minimum of two extra years. If given the choice, and contemplating he has three daughters (ages 5, 3 and a pair of) at house, Miller stated six years in his case is nice sufficient.
He admitsthere was, briefly, gentle curiosity in working for the state Senate seat, finally claimed by Kim LaSata, in 2018. However then actuality sunk in and Miller stated he knew with two younger youngsters on the time, a four-year dedication was not finest for his household.
Six years was an ideal period of time for him to serve, he stated.
Miller stated a number of accomplishments stand out. Being chairman of the state’s elections committee was a priceless studying expertise. Additionally, a invoice concerning water-withdrawal laws, which Miller knew would have an effect on the state’s farmers, was a time-consuming however rewarding course of. The most important, although, was a coverage associated to no-fault auto reform.
Miller stated far and away, persons are what he’ll miss probably the most when his time period ends Dec. 31.
“There are many good individuals I’ll miss, fairly a number of in Cass County, too,” Miller stated. “Colleagues, co-workers and a implausible workers, it’s been such a pleasure attending to know them and being part of their day-to-day life.”
Miller is one in every of nearly 30 state representatives not returning to Lansing in January.
Miller could have a a lot shorter commute when he enters the subsequent section of his skilled life.
Miller has accepted a suggestion from Sturgis Financial institution & Belief. He already has started coaching and expects to begin his new job in early January.
“As customer support has been a aspect of my job the previous six years, I’ll proceed within the capability of customer support,” Miller stated. “Sturgis Financial institution & Belief has been the place I’ve banked all my life and I do know banks, like so many different companies, dwell and die by customer support and the way you deal with relationships with individuals.”
Miller, whose job can be within the area of enterprise improvement, stated he’s excited in regards to the alternative. His function begins with studying all facets of the financial institution, from the underside up.
He stated it’s an honor to work at a neighborhood enterprise.
“It’s new, it’s difficult, it’s uncomfortable, and I find it irresistible,” he stated. “It’s serving to me develop and I’m going to make use of a few of my relationships from the final six years to assist Sturgis Financial institution & Belief develop whereas serving its present prospects.”
Previous to being contacted by SB&T, he was set to return to the world of training and deliberate to pursue an administrator’s license.
“Sure, I had paid the license charge and every little thing,” he stated. “And, out of the blue, got here one other alternative. It simply goes to point out that God can generally lead us in methods we are able to generally by no means see, however it normally finally ends up being for the most effective.”
Sturgis Financial institution & Belief President/CEO Eric Eishen stated the financial institution is “extraordinarily lucky” to land somebody of Miller’s integrity.
“Aaron is a really laborious working and caring individual, and that is along with his sturdy ethics,” he stated. “I bear in mind assembly Aaron when he was working for the State Home. He got here to the financial institution to introduce himself, and his goal was to grasp what I’ll worth as a citizen and what was necessary for my enterprise if he have been elected. That alone was very spectacular.”
