Meet the Candidate: Andrew Carlos Wendt (R) for District 35

District 35 has a special election coming up, and getting to know the candidates is one of the most important things we can do to vote with clarity and confidence. Below is an introductory overview of my conversation with Andrew Carlos Wendt. Watch the full interview video—the time-stamped sections make it easy to jump to the topics you care most about.

This conversation is part of Michigan Women’s mission to help residents learn about their local candidates in a straightforward, accessible way — without endorsements, partisanship, or spin.

Watch the full interview below — and see if you can spot the three spelling mistakes in the chapter titles (we decided to leave them in for fun this time!).

Video Time Stamps

1. 0:00 What's your background and experience?
2. 5:51 What's your experience on the City of Saginaw City Council?
3. 10:12 Let's talk population loss, crime and jobs.
4. 11:59 The impact of education in District 35
5. 18:04 What's holding families back from helping their kids be successful?
6. 21:26 What can we do about inequity across our school districts?
7. 24:47 What can we do about crime and public safety in District 35?
8. 35:04 How should we think about paying for programs to support our community?
9. 40:55 What makes you feel you're ready to be a State Senator?
10. 44:55 What are your thoughts about the new Health and Sex Education Standards?
    1. (Learn more about the new guidelines in this article: New MI Sex Ed Guidelines: Indoctrination or Inclusivity?)
11. 50:38 How do we bring more businesses to District 35?
12. 54:58 Let's talk about women's rights
13. 56:06 How would you respond to efforts to overturn abortion rights?
14. 58:39 What about the housing crisis?
15. 1:01:00 Can you share a little about your disability?
16. 1:03:59 Is there anything else you like to share?

Want to see all the candidates?

Check out the article, Michigan Senate District 35 2026 Candidates

About Andrew

https://wendtforstatesenate.com/

Andrew grew up in Saginaw and has spent much of his life serving his community. With a degree in Instrumental Music Education from Michigan State University, he taught music in Saginaw and Saginaw Township for nearly 18 years before working at Nexteer Automotive as a proud member of UAW Local 699. Beyond the classroom and the workplace, he has coached football, baseball, soccer, and basketball, mentoring hundreds of local students over the years.

Andrew also served two terms on Saginaw City Council from 2005 to 2013, a period he describes as “the best of times and the worst of times” for the city — navigating through the housing crisis, population loss, and the decline of the auto industry. He worked on projects that helped establish the Medical Diamond Corridor along Washington Avenue, fostering partnerships between Covenant HealthCare, Ascension St. Mary’s, and Central Michigan University’s medical school.

Highlights from the Conversation

Education and Family Support

Andrew is passionate about raising educational standards and believes both parents and schools need more support. He discusses the importance of early testing, trade programs, and after-school initiatives to help students stay engaged and families thrive.

Crime and Public Safety

Drawing on his time on the city council, he talks about the challenges of crime in Saginaw and the need for better collaboration and proactive policing. He also emphasizes youth programs and recreation as long-term solutions for preventing violence.

Economic Development and Jobs

Andrew connects education and safety to economic growth, stressing that business investment depends on stable communities and an educated workforce. He outlines ideas for attracting employers and revitalizing neighborhoods.

Health, Women’s Rights, and Community Well-Being

In the latter part of the interview, he shares his thoughts on Michigan’s new health and sex education standards, women’s reproductive rights, and how local and state policy decisions affect families and access to care.