Michael C. Gruitza is an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 7th legislative district in Mercer County from 1981 to 2006.

He was born on 2 May 1951 in Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and is of Romanian descent, with his surname sometimes rendered as Gruița in Romanian transliteration.

Michael Gruitza graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage in 1969 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gannon College (now Gannon University) in 1973, followed by a Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law in 1977.

After completing his legal education, he was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar and began practicing law in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. His early professional career combined private legal practice with involvement in local civic and community organizations, laying the groundwork for his later electoral career.

In 1980 he successfully ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Democrat from the 7th district, succeeding Reid L. Bennett; he took office in January 1981 and would be re-elected repeatedly over the next quarter century.

During his tenure in the state legislature, he represented communities in the Shenango Valley area of Mercer County, including Hermitage and surrounding municipalities. He served on various House committees, working on issues related to local government, judiciary matters, and economic development, and participated in legislative debates affecting western Pennsylvania, such as redistricting and regional infrastructure concerns.

His long incumbency made him a familiar figure in Mercer County politics, and contemporaneous reports noted his satisfaction with redistricting plans that largely preserved the integrity of his district while making minor boundary adjustments.

Michael Gruitza chose not to seek re-election in 2006, ending his legislative service after 13 consecutive terms, and was succeeded by Democrat Mark A. Longietti in the 7th district.

Following his departure from the General Assembly, he returned full-time to legal practice in Hermitage and has remained involved in professional and community activities, although largely outside the statewide political spotlight.