Joan Bauer (politician)

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Joan Bauer (born January 21, 1950) is an American politician from Michigan. A Democrat, she served in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 68th district from 2007 to 2012. Before that, she was a member of the Lansing City Council from 1995 to 2006. Bauer earned a BA in history from Western Michigan University, with minors in political science and secondary education. She worked as a government teacher in high school and adult education, and spent 21 years as director of volunteer services at Ingham Regional Medical Center. She also led the Ingham County Women’s Commission and was president of Michigan Women in Municipal Government from 2004 to 2005.

In 2006, Bauer won the Democratic primary for the state House and then the general election with about 74% of the vote. As a state representative, she supported several bills, including a strong public smoking ban and a 2009 pay-equity measure. She served on the House Appropriations Committee, led the Higher Education Subcommittee, and held various leadership roles in bipartisan caucuses such as the Capital Caucus and the Michigan Legislative Women’s Caucus.

Bauer lives in Lansing, Michigan.