Biography

Senator John Cherry is currently serving his first term in the Michigan Senate, where he remains laser-focused on uplifting working families, protecting our state’s abundant natural resources, and delivering investments for the 27th district and its residents. In 2025, he was elected as Assistant President Pro-Tempore. 

As a fifth-generation union member with a two-term tenure as a State Representative, Cherry has been a longtime advocate for Michigan’s workers. In his role as Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, he was instrumental in repealing Michigan’s worker suppression laws, expanding prevailing wage protections for clean energy projects, and boosting state unemployment benefits for the first time in over 20 years.  

Coming from a lineage of outdoors enthusiasts and serving as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cherry has been steadfast in safeguarding the woods, waters, and wildlife that we all cherish, garnering numerous recognitions for his conservation efforts.  

Born and raised in Genesee County, Cherry has been committed to building a brighter future for all those who live, work, and play in District 27. Since joining the Senate, he has delivered over $200 million to support the economic development of his district and millions more in investments for education, including vital funds to build a new state-of-the-art high school in Flint. Cherry also championed the delivery of state budget dollars to launch the Rx Kids program in Flint — the nation’s first community-wide, no-strings-attached prenatal and infant cash prescription program that has been linked to lower poverty rates and improved health outcomes for new moms and babies.  

The value of public service was instilled in Cherry from a young age by family and friends. Before serving in the Michigan House of Representatives, Cherry served in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), protecting our natural resources and held the position of vice chair of the Flint Charter Commission. In this role, he played a pivotal role in proposing Flint’s first new charter in over 40 years.  

A University of Michigan graduate with a bachelor’s degree in natural resources and environment, and a master’s in public policy, Cherry brings much knowledge to his legislative responsibilities. He resides in Flint with his wife, daughter, and son.