Barcia . In 2004, running on a populist platform powered by tenacious grass roots campaigning, John Espinoza was elected to his first term as a member of the Michigan House representing the 83rd District, becoming the first ever Democrat and Hispanic to win the seat. He was easily re-elected in 2006 and now serves as the chair of the Agricultural Appropriations Committee. As An Educator Upon his return to Michigan in the late 1990s Espinoza also worked as a teacher in the Carsonville-Port Sanilac, Michigan School District. Later Espinoza returned to education after serving as a city manager and taught Spanish at the Croswell-Lexington high school. He earned his teaching certification from Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan. Media Highlights Espinoza was also the inaugural producer and host of the pioneering mid Michigan Public Broadcasting System television show Somos Hispanos; broadcast from the campus of Delta College in Bay City, Michigan. He interviewed many important Hispanic figures including Public Broadcasting System news anchor Ray Suarez and actor/ activist Edward James Olmos. Espinoza received many accolades for his excellent work. He left the show to run successfully for the Michigan State House. Espinoza has shared his insights via regular programs on Sanilac, Michigan County radio station WMIC and written contributions to the Sanilac County News and the Port Huron Times-Herald. America's Son - the Odyssey of John Espinoza In 2006, Ray W. Denison published a book about John Espinoza's life, America's Son - the Odyssey of John Espinoza. This biography details Espinoza's "journey from the Texas cotton fields to Vietnam and the Michigan legislature." The Lakeshore Guardian publication of Michigan wrote a review of Mr. Denison's work and congratulated him on a 'well written' book. Personal Espinoza lives in Croswell, and has been married to Mary since 1969. He has three children. External links 1950 births Living people American politicians of Mexican descent Saginaw Valley State University alumni Democratic Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives County commissioners in Michigan Michigan city council members People from Croswell, Michigan 21st-century American politicians