We congratulate new Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on a sharp move as far as her Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula constituents are concerned.

Whitmer announced this week that Mike Prusi is director of the governor’s Northern Michigan Office in Marquette.

Prusi, a former state senate Democratic leader, has lived in the U.P. the vast majority of his life. Born in Negaunee and now residing in Ishpeming, Prusi knows what it is to be a Yooper but he also knows Lansing government from his own experience serving this area.

According to a release from the governor’s office, Prusi served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1995-2000 and in the Michigan Senate from 2003-2010, and was elected Senate Democratic Leader in 2008.

And important to his understanding of what people in our area need, prior to his legislative career, Prusi worked for 20 years as an iron ore miner and served three terms as president of Local Union 4950 of the United Steelworkers of America, leading workers on the Marquette Iron Range who worked for Cleveland Cliffs Inc.

“Mike Prusi is a lifelong champion for hardworking families in Northern Michigan,” Whitmer said in the release. “I was proud to serve alongside him in the legislature and I know that he’ll continue to get things done for Michigan workers, families, and businesses in our Marquette office.”

As for Prusi, he said in the release: “I am excited to get back to work for the people of Northern Michigan,” said Prusi. “Families in the U.P. need advocates in state government who will work every day to solve problems for them. I look forward to working with Governor Whitmer as we get things done for hardworking Michiganders.”

For those who want to visit Prusi, he will be available by appointment — call 906-228-8251 — at the Governor’s Northern Michigan office which is located at 234 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, the Marquette County Courthouse Annex building. He can be reached by email at prusim@michigan.gov.