Michigan State Representative Amos O’Neal was born on July 17, 1961, in Saginaw, Michigan. He attended Saginaw Public Schools and graduated with a business degree from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. O’Neal raised his three daughters in Saginaw with his late wife, Sherry, who was a public school teacher.
After graduating from Northwood University, O’Neal worked as a Director of Operations at First Ward Community Center. He first became involved in politics in 2003 when he was elected to the Saginaw City Council where he served for thirteen years, including as Mayor Pro Tempore from years 2003 to 2016. He also served on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners for four years between 2016 and 2020. During his time in local government, O’Neal sat on various boards and committees throughout Saginaw County, serving as chair of the Saginaw County Commission’s Committee on Health and Human Services and as a member of the Michigan Works! Operations Board and the HIV/AIDS Task Force. In the year 2020, Amos O’Neal ran for State Representative in Michigan’s 95th House District, which would soon become the 94th. The district includes Saginaw and some surrounding communities. As a state legislator, O’Neal urgently works for criminal justice reform and supports Michigan’s workforce.
During his tenure in the legislature, Amos O’Neal has been recognized for his efforts in multiple fields. In 2022, O’Neal was named Tri-County Building Trades Labor Person of the Year and Michigan Pipe Trades Legislator of the Year. He was also awarded the 2022 fellowship for the 27th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development. In 2023, O’Neal was awarded the Michigan After School Partnership Legislative Champion Award and named the 2023 Ducks Unlimited Legislator of the Year. Other awards include Legislator of the Year from the Michigan County Social Services Association in 2024; the 2024 Friend of Public Health Award from the Michigan Association of Local Public Health; the 2024 County Advocate Award from the Michigan Association of Counties; and Legislator of the Year from Michigan Community Action and the Michigan Municipal League.
In 2023, Amos O’Neal was awarded the Michigan After School Partnership Legislative Champion Award and named the 2023 Ducks Unlimited Legislator of the Year. Other awards include Legislator of the Year from the Michigan County Social Services Association in 2024; the 2024 Friend of Public Health Award from the Michigan Association of Local Public Health; the 2024 County Advocate Award from the Michigan Association of Counties; and Legislator of the Year from Michigan Community Action and the Michigan Municipal League. O’Neal has also been awarded the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America which recognizes outstanding individuals for their dedication to scouting opportunities, as well as the President’s Award from the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Development Institute at Saginaw Valley State University and the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce Leadership Saginaw Program.
O’Neal has held multiple leadership positions within the House of Representatives. He has served as vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. He was also named chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, continuing his work to advocate for adequate funding for improved prison systems, well-trained corrections officers, and beneficial prisoner support resources.
When O’Neal isn’t working for the people of Michigan, he enjoys duck hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
Do you find this information helpful? A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone.
BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Your donation is fully tax-deductible.
“Representative Amos O’Neal,” Rep. Amos O’Neal – housedems.com; “Re-Elect Representative Amos O’Neal,” Re-Elect Representative Amos O’Neal, Saginaw
