Former Speaker of the House, Tom Leonard, Becomes Candidate for Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 17, 2025
DEWITT, MI — Tom Leonard, a proven conservative leader, lifelong Michigander and former Speaker of the Michigan House, today announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor of Michigan.
Tom’s campaign will focus on turning Michigan into a growth state where our kids can build their future, as well as making life more affordable by lowering taxes, reforming burdensome regulations and empowering workers through freedom to work policies.
“Michigan currently ranks second-to-last in unemployment, and our education system is bottom 10 in the nation,” said Leonard. “We cannot afford another lost decade where our children are forced to leave the state for better opportunity. My priority throughout this campaign will be to lay out a positive vision with real solutions to address our state’s most pressing problems with a clear focus on making Michigan a growth state.”
Leonard’s campaign will also focus on three critical issues: improving 3rd grade reading outcomes, addressing Michigan’s mental health crisis, and bringing real accountability to state government, which will include subjecting the executive branch to FOIA and increasing the budget of the auditor general to hold Lansing accountable.
“Less than 40% of our third graders can read proficiently. We are sleepwalking through an educational crisis that is robbing our children of their futures,” said Leonard. “We are losing a generation of kids because the political class has continued to focus on appeasing special interests over children. It’s time to stop making excuses and start delivering results for parents and students.”
Tom Leonard and his wife Jenell live in DeWitt, Michigan, where they are raising their three children—Hannah, Thomas, and Daniel. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Michigan State University, where he was honored with the Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship for integrity and professionalism.
The everyday concerns of Michiganders will be at the heart of the campaign, as Leonard hosts a series of citizen roundtables across the state. These events will serve as the foundation for a Citizens Agenda—a policy playbook drawn from the conversations happening around kitchen tables, coffee shops, and diners across the state.
“Our campaign isn’t about inside politics; it’s about helping the people forced to live with the consequences of Lansing’s failures.” said Leonard. “Whether as a prosecutor, an elected official or now in my work for one of the state’s top law firms, my job has always been to listen first and then provide a voice to the voiceless. This campaign will bring the same approach – listening to people’s concerns and working together on real solutions for our state.”
Mr. Leonard served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2013-2018. In his third and final term, his colleagues unanimously selected him to serve as the state’s 75th House Speaker. Before holding public office, he served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan and as a prosecutor in Genesee County’s Special Crimes Division.
Bill Stepien, CEO of Stepien Strategic Partners, will serve as the campaign’s Senior Strategist. Stepien previously served as the White House Political Director and Campaign Manager for President Donald Trump.
For more information about Tom Leonard and the campaign, visit tomformichigan.com and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @TomLeonard28.
Tom’s announcement video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Ah_Hx5kLMH8
Media Contact: Dennis Darnoi
248.763.3655