Meet Andrew Beeler
Get to know your State Representative
Early Life
Andrew was born the youngest of three children to Stephen and Lynne Beeler in Port Huron Hospital. Devout Catholics, Andrew attended local parochial schools throughout St. Clair County including Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School.
Andrew and his family always sought to take advantage of their naturally beautiful surroundings, and his father taught him and his sisters to sail at a young age. The competitive spirit of racing caught Andrew’s attention, and he began competitive racing at the age of eight. Always looking to compete, Andrew also enjoyed playing soccer for local area teams, basketball in local SONS leagues and any other sport that allowed him to be outside and to remain active.
Off the field, Andrew enjoyed being involved in helping his community. As a high schooler, Andrew volunteered to lead children’s Liturgy programs at his church; he was the president of his high school’s National Honor Society; and he was a member of Congresswoman Candice Miller’s Youth Advisory Council where he helped shape and advise on policy to be voted upon in Washington.
After receiving a nomination to the US Naval Academy from Congresswoman Candice Miller, he reported to Annapolis in July of 2010. After four years of military training at the Naval Academy and five years of Commissioned service as a Surface Warfare Officer, he left active duty and entered the Naval Reserves. Andrew began pursuing his Masters in Public Policy at the University of Chicago, but when the 83rd District seat opened, Andrew saw a better way to put his leadership and sense of duty to work.
He returned home to commit himself to running in order to serve the citizens of his hometown as a State Representative. He loves his country, feels indebted to his community, and wants to bring his national and international experience to the table to find solutions in Lansing. With his deep family roots in this area, he wants to honor the sacrifices of his family who, for over a century, have called the 83rd District home.
Military
Nominated to attend the US Naval Academy by Congresswoman Candice Miller in 2010, Andrew began his military training in Annapolis, MD in the summer of 2010. While at the Academy, Andrew held several leadership positions: Battalion Commander placing him in charge of 600 personnel; and Offshore Sailing Team Captain where he led the team of 80 Midshipmen to one National Championship and 3rd place at the College World Championship. He graduated with a BS in Naval Architecture and received his Commission as a Naval Officer in May of 2014.
Upon his commission, Andrew reported to USS CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG 62). Initially assigned as the Main Propulsion Officer where he led 25 Sailors in the maintenance, repair and operation of seven gas turbine engines and associate equipment, Andrew was selected to become the Combat Information Center Officer as the ship transferred to the US Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan. While onboard CHANCELLORSVILLE, Andrew was deployed to the South and East China Sea multiple times including during the US response to the United Nations Tribunal hearings on Chinese claims in the South China Sea. Andrew watched as the Chinese continued to grow their military presence under a failing Chinese foreign policy.
In late 2016, Andrew was promoted and transferred to USS DECATUR (DDG 73) homeported out of San Diego, California. Andrew led 20 Sailors in the operation and maintenance of the multi-million dollar Aegis Weapon System and was the leader of the ship’s Air and Ballistic Missile Defense programs. While onboard, DECATUR deployed to the South China Sea and the Middle Eastern areas of operation. During this deployment, Andrew navigated the ship during sensitive operations involving unsafe and unprofessional interactions with a Chinese warship grabbing national and international attention. During the encounter, Andrew gave the order to avoid an imminent collision with the Chinese warship after it made aggressive maneuvers to deter DECATUR from passing claimed Chinese islands.
Through his service, Andrew was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and won the Navy and Marine Corps Junior Officer Leadership Award-- awarded to one Officer in each region who proves most outstanding in the fields of leadership and mentorship.
Andrew is photographed with his parents (Stephen + Lynne) sisters (Chelsea and Lindsey).
Family History
Andrew is the 4th generation of South Eastern Michigan residents in his family. Immigrating from Central and Western Europe, his ancestors settled in present day St. Clair and Sanilac county to lay roots as farmers. His maternal ancestors ran a dairy farm; his paternal ancestors grew and sold crops.
Andrew’s Grandfather served in the Army during WWII and was taken prisoner by the German Army during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. While held as prisoner, Andrew’s eldest aunt was born in Fort Gratiot, MI. Upon the conclusion of the war, Andrew’s Grandfather returned home to his wife and small family in Fort Gratiot. Several years later, after Andrew’s father had been born, they purchased land in Grant Township, built a home, and continued to raise their family of eight children on the salary of a paper mill laborer.
Inspired by his father’s work ethic, Andrew’s father Stephen forewent college to pursue a career at the Detroit Edison Company. He pushed coal at the local power plants before putting himself through night school to earn a promotion while his wife, Lynne, ran an adult foster care home out of their house.
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