Drew Jake Robbins for State House - 84th District

09/02/2026

GET TO KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE! 😇

What’s up, everyone! My name is Drew, or perhaps Jake (my middle name), depending on when/how you met me. I respond to either.

We have a lot of new faces here as part of the Drew Crew (now over 500+), so I thought I’d take a few minutes to reintroduce myself!

I’m a born-and-raised Michigander. I’ve never lived anywhere else, and I couldn’t imagine ever doing so. I love this incredible state we’re lucky to call home!

I moved to Grand Rapids in 2013 to attend Grand Valley State University, where I graduated as a member of the Honors College and the Seidman College of Business. I fell in love with the John Ball neighborhood and didn’t look back.

After working for a few years post graduation, I enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, where I graduated as the Distinguished Honors Graduate and Valedictorian of my class at the JFK School of Special Warfare. I served in the military for six years, which afforded me tons of meaningful experiences! My favorite? I was selected to train alongside U.S. Special Forces, as well as members of the British Army. (They told me my British accent was mediocre…)

I also served as a City Commissioner for The City of Grand Rapids, where I chaired our Community Development and Fiscal Committees, was a member of our Public Safety and Mobile GR committees, and served as President of the Commission for my final full year. While we didn’t always agree, it was an honor to help shape the trajectory of my favorite city and serve as the youngest member when elected. I still count all my former colleagues as honorable citizens and friends.

Truth be told, I also feel disenfranchised with the current state of politics (as President Washington rightly forewarned us of). If I can be just one elected official that helps advance thoughtful policy to fix the huge problems Michigan is facing right now, I’ll make it my life’s mission. Policy matters because people matter.

My promise to you: I’ll never demean or disenfranchise any person or people group. We have enough of that in our world. I believe the road back to positive discourse in politics starts with each us. Put down the keyboard, get to know your neighbors, and we’ll all be in good shape.

Fun facts about me? Big nerd. I’m ashamed to admit what my Pokemon card collection is now worth. Star Wars is my favorite movie franchise. Episode II is my favorite, and I’ll entertain no criticism for that one. My favorite sport is soccer, so I was living my best life this summer seeing the world get a taste of our rich American culture during the World Cup. My senior year of high school, I was All-Conference and All-District as a player, and I also held my high school’s record in pole vault. My favorite color is blue, but more of a steel blue. I have a cat named Mako. My family is super musical, and our mom tried to convince my three brothers and I to be the next Jonas Brothers, but that clearly didn’t pan out.

Ultimately, current events and politics is my passion. I’m not your typical politician, but if I can be part of the solution toward good policy, I’ll be there.

We have some big problems to solve in Michigan right now, but I’m committed to being part of the solution. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received thus far, and if I haven’t yet, I hope to see you at your door these last two months leading up to the election.

08/23/2026

Super grateful to have Stan Stek in my corner! Stan is a sitting Kent County Commissioner, and formerly served as Chair of the Board.

I’ve always admired his steady, thoughtful leadership representing our local neighborhoods here in Grand Rapids and Walker.

Commissioner Stek, thanks for your support of my campaign. My sole desire is to steward this role well and do the same for West Michigan!

08/20/2026

Politics matters because people matter. ‼️

I’m so proud of the coalition we’re building here, centered on local experience and local results.

Despite the chaos and divisiveness we see at the national and global levels right now, I’m hyper focused on what I can control: surrounding myself with people who care about this community. We have a real opportunity to put that noise aside, build safe and thriving neighborhoods, and make West Michigan a place where anyone can afford to live and find opportunity.

Sheriff LaJoye-Young, I am so grateful to have you as a partner in this work!

08/19/2026

You know it’s a good sign when a fundraiser closes out the place and ends up transitioning to an hour of social time afterward. 😏

Thank you so much to all the people who stopped by, sent a check, expressed their concerns about the trajectory of our state, and gave a word of encouragement over the course of the evening last night.

With the primary in the rear view mirror, it’s officially GO TIME, and I couldn’t be more energized.

I’m a born and raised Michigander. Wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the world than right here in West Michigan. I’ll make it my life’s mission to keep policy locally-focused, results-driven, and to get our state back on the map as a place where people can find opportunity, quality education, and a brighter future.

08/07/2026

🚨 New Endorsement Alert! 🚨

One of the best pieces of advice someone gave me back when I ran for the Grand Rapids City Commission: surround yourself with and learn from other elected officials who you hope to emulate.

To me, that means public servants who are thoughtful, professional, principled, and kind… like Lisa Posthumus Lyons!

Lisa, I’m so grateful for your endorsement, as well as the work you do in serving Kent County!

08/05/2026

To the voters of the 84th House District, I couldn’t be more grateful that you put your trust in me! After the primary election last night, we’re officially onward to November. 🎉

Thank you for the doors knocked.
Thank you for the donations.
Thank you for the yard sign commitments.

Politics is full of rabble rousers, but that’s not me. My only goal is support thoughtful policy that does good for the state that my family has called home for generations.

We’ve got some big problems in Michigan, but I’m ten toes down committed to doing whatever it takes to solve them for you.

Let’s do this!

08/02/2026

Friends! Did you know: early in person voting for the primary election is open on weekends too? I headed over to St. Peter & Paul School this afternoon, right here on the west side, and I was in and out within 10 minutes. I’ve voted early two election cycles in a row now, and I didn’t have a waiting line either time.

This voting option in Michigan provides an excellent opportunity for those with busy work schedules, travel plans, or childcare constraints.

My humble plea as you go to the polls: data is clear that the rest of our country is running laps around Michigan!

Many of our state’s outcomes (K-12 education, unemployment, per capita earnings, population growth, etc.) now put us in the bottom tier right alongside California, Oregon, New York, and Illinois. We don’t have to live this way. Change is necessary for the sake of our own futures, and the futures of generations to come!

West Michigan voters want normalcy, civility, cordiality, and stability. To me, that’s the lowest bar for any elected official to provide. I care one heck of a lot about the state that my family has called home for generations, and I’ll gladly work with any legislator willing to help get us back on track. My sleeves are already rolled up.

Do it for the sticker if nothing else. 😉

07/31/2026

A local Grand Rapids historical info page recently posted this picture of the west side from the 1990’s. The top comment someone left was, “why does it look more pristine then than it does now?”

That commenter is exactly correct.

The streets in this photo are clean and resilient. The bridge railings aren’t crumbling. The landscaping is well maintained.

We often forget the standards we hold ourselves to as a community once we become complacent and accept less. It doesn’t have to be this way!

We can and should change the status quo to hyper focus our state’s resources on its essential responsibilities. Michigan’s budget has ballooned nearly 50%+ over just the last few years, but all our outcomes are moving in the opposite direction.

My plan is simple:

1. Prioritize safe and affordable neighborhoods by reducing the overall tax burden currently imposed on residents and small businesses, and invest in fully staffing our first responders.
2. Refocus education spending on our teachers and students to start producing positive academic outcomes once again.
3. Meaningfully invest in our public infrastructure to fix our roads and provide the foundation for high quality neighborhoods.

We’ve seen what our state looks like when it’s at its best. My sole goal is to get Michigan back on the map as one of our country’s best places to live, work, play, and find opportunity.

07/30/2026

As much as it pains me to say, the Michigan vs. Ohio (Indiana too) story has now become a classic tale of two cities (i.e. states).

The best comparison metrics for our state’s success remain with our near peer neighbors right here in the Midwest - similar in population, weather, workforce, industries, etc. As much as it pains me to say, they’re running laps around us. Ohio and Indiana are now ranked in the nation’s top tier while Michigan finds itself at the very bottom. The status quo is not working. Our kids and our communities deserve better opportunities and a brighter future.

But, my friends, we luckily don’t have to reinvent the wheel! We just need to replicate what they (among other successful states) are doing.

My plan is simple: lower the overall tax burden on residents and businesses to create an affordable environment that attracts good paying jobs and retains our talent base. Reenforce public education standards that invest primarily in our teachers and kids, meaningfully preparing them for the modern workforce. And, by all means, let’s finally fix our roads and critical infrastructure, which is a foundational responsibility of state government.

These priorities are both tangible and feasible. So let’s do it together! 💪🏻

Michigan needs a competitive economy if we want to win against our historic rival

07/27/2026

When I’m asked “why are you running?” it’s because of stats like these.

I’m a born and raised Michigander, and nothing discourages me more than to see the state I love at the bottom of the country in so many metrics.

Michigan was recently ranked 44th in the nation for unemployment rate. Just 0.2% higher, and we’d be dead last alongside California, Washington, and Oregon.

Michiganders deserve affordable communities with opportunities for high paying jobs. Neighboring states Indiana and Ohio rank 11th and 16th, respectively. Illinois is our only neighboring state ranking worse at 45th.

(Trust me, as much as it pains me to admit Ohio is beating us in something, that’s what we’re up against right now…)

But luckily, the solution isn’t convoluted! Lowering our tax burden as other states have done to make life affordable draws new business, job growth, and a talent pool seeking well-paying jobs that follows suit.

Getting our state back on track is priority #1 for me! As nearby states have proven, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Source: www.bls.gov