MI List 2008 Targeted Candidates
Click an image above to read a brief bio or scroll down the page for a complete list of candidates.
- Lisa Brown - 39 HD
- Janis Burgess - 108 HD
- Jessica Cooper - Oakland County Prosecutor
- Deb Kennedy - 23 HD
- Joan Gebhardt - Wayne County Commissioner, District 12
- Jennifer Haase - 32 HD
- Tracey Schultz Kobylarz - Redford Supervisor
- Brenda Lawrence - Oakland County Executive
- Garnet Lewis - 98 HD
- Ellen Cogen Lipton - 27 HD
- Patricia Rayl - Summit Township Board of Trustees
- Sarah Roberts - 24 HD
- Julie Rogers - 61 HD
- Kate Segal - 62 HD
- Dian Slavens - 21 HD
- Judy Truesdell - 78 HD
- Mary Valentine - 91 HD
Lisa Brown - 39 HD
Lisa Brown, candidate for Michigan's 39th House district
Lisa Brown lives in West Bloomfield and is a lifelong resident of Oakland County. She graduated from Andover High School, then went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law.
"I've lived in this community my whole life," Brown said. "I'm not a career politician. I'm running for office because the people of West Bloomfield, Commerce Township and Wolverine Lake need a strong voice in Lansing. We need someone who will offer real solutions to the challenges facing our state."
Brown serves on the PTO at both Pine Lake Elementary School and West Hills Middle School. She is a member of the State Bar but does not practice law. She is a Realtor working at Max Broock Realtors in Bloomfield Hills, and is a member of the National Association of Realtors and Michigan Consolidated Association of Realtors. Brown is a member of Adat Shalom Synagogue and serves on JARC's board of directors.
Janis Burgess - 108 HD
Janis Burgess, candidate for Michigan's 108th House district
(Delta, Dickinson, Menominee Counties, south central Upper Peninsula)
As an attorney for over 28 years, 10 of those in local government as Menominee City Attorney, Janis Burgess makes her living representing people. A native Yooper and the first in her family to go to college, she knows how to set goals and work hard to accomplish them. She serves on state, local and professional boards as well as in community service organizations. Active and well known in the district and in state and local Democratic party politics for the last 18 years, Ms. Burgess appreciates the issues and knows how to work for acceptable solutions.
The 108th is one of 4 U.P. state house districts. It is the only one presently held by a term-limited Republican. The district traditionally has a 51-54% democratic base, so a strong democrat like Janis Burgess has a very strong likelihood of election in 2008.
For more information visit www.burgess108.com
Jessica R. Cooper - Oakland County Prosecutor
Jessica R. Cooper, candidate for Oakland County Prosecutor
Jessica R. Cooper, candidate for Oakland County Prosecutor, served 28 years as a judge starting at the district court level and rising to the Michigan Court of Appeals. In declaring her intent to run for Oakland County Prosecutor, Cooper said, "I've been protecting the people of Oakland County for close to 30 years. Serving as Oakland County Prosecutor provides another opportunity for me to ensure that the citizens of this community receive the justice they deserve."
Cooper attended law school at Wayne State University and was one of just 10 women in a class of 200 that graduated from law school in 1973. She started her law career as an assistant defender in the Michigan State Appellate Defenders Office until she entered private practice as a civil rights attorney. In 1978, Jessica ran for 46th District Court judge in Southfield beating the longtime incumbent judge and becoming one of the first female judges in Oakland County.
In 1986, she was elected to the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County, where she developed a reputation as a tough but fair judge who administered justice from the bench in high profile cases including the trial of Jack Kevorkian and Henry Hearns, the brother of boxer Tommy "Hitman" Hearns convicted for murdering his fiance, and Hazel Park lawyer Michael Fletcher convicted for murdering his wife.
Elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2002, she served at the state level until 2007, when she stepped down to form her own private practice as a mediator and arbitrator. Cooper has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School and at Michigan State University College of Law.
Joan Gebhardt - Wayne County Commissioner, District 12
Joan Gebhardt - candidate for Wayne County Commissioner, District 12
A 35-year homeowner in District 12, a mother and grandmother, Joan Gebhardt wants to ensure that future generations will find good jobs with businesses in Wayne County so they can fulfill their dreams right here.
Gebhardt spent her life in public service. She represents part of District 12 as a Schoolcraft College Trustee. She is an adjunct professor at Madonna University and works in district constituent services for Speaker Andy Dillon.
She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and her M.A. in Educational Administration from Eastern Michigan University. A longtime precinct delegate, Gebhardt was appointed to the Schoolcraft College Board and then elected in 2007 (placing first among the elected candidates). In 2004 she ran for State House and won 47% of the vote in a 70/30 Republican district. She has worked tirelessly to elect Democrats to office - knocking doors, making phone calls and raising funds.
Gebhardt oversees the $69,000,000 Schoolcraft College budget and managed an elementary school budget. She is a natural leader, and is often chosen by her peers to represent them. Fellow trustees sent her to SEMCOG to vote on regional issues and serves on the executive committee. Her peers chose her to lead their union (AFL-CIO 60). Speaker Andy Dillon trusts her to represent him with his constituents.
Jennifer Haase - 32 HD
Jennifer Haase, candidate for Michigan's 32nd House district
Jennifer Haase is the Democratic candidate for House District 32, which covers parts of Macomb and St. Clair counties. She is a lifelong Michigan resident who recently completed her tenth year of teaching at Warren Woods Public Schools. Jennifer holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Alma College, where she spent a semester studying in Kassel, Germany. She also holds a master's in Reading and Language Arts from Oakland University. Jennifer has served as building representative for her education association for the past four years and is a curriculum leader within the district.
Jennifer's passion for teaching runs in the family; her mother and grandmother were public school teachers. Like hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents over the years, her father and grandfathers worked for General Motors.
Jennifer's husband, Robert, is a firefighter and paramedic for the City of Sterling Height. The two live in Richmond.
Jennifer is a member of Clean Water Action, the Michigan Reading Association and Alpha Gamma Delta and also works with the Susan B. Komen Foundation, the Rainbow Connection, American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.
As a lifelong Michigan resident, Jennifer values keeping our state beautiful by protecting the Great Lakes and fighting to stop the flood of trash from other states and Canada. Using her experience and passion for education, Jennifer will make it a priority to strengthen our schools so that all children can succeed in life and in the workplace.
For more information, visit www.jenniferhaase08.org.
Brenda Lawrence - Oakland County Executive
Brenda Lawrence, candidate for Oakland County Executive
Brenda L. Lawrence is a long-time resident of Oakland County - living, working and raising her family in Southfield, Michigan. Brenda has been a community advocate for many years, starting as a hard-working member of the PTA at her children's school. Her active involvement with the PTA led her to run for a seat on the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education. Not only was she elected to the school board, but she rose up the ranks to become its secretary, then vice president, and finally president. Seeking a chance to be further involved in guiding the direction of her community's future, she won a position on the Southfield City Council, where she was elected president in 1999. As a councilwoman, Brenda gained experience in managing a multi-million dollar budget and demonstrated fiscal responsibility.
Brenda was elected mayor of Southfield in November, 2001. She is the first African American and first woman mayor of Southfield, a city with a population of over 78,000 residents, a city budget of $118 million, and 833 city employees. She is committed to diversity, fiscal responsibility, education, and keeping a clean and safe environment.
She was recently profiled in Esquire Magazine as one the country's "hardest-working" mayors and was identified by Crain's Detroit Business as a regional leader with the "skills and determination to bridge the historic parochialism of the metropolitan area."
Currently fulfilling her second term as mayor, she lives in Southfield with her husband of over 30 years, McArthur. The couple has two children, and a granddaughter.
For information visit www.BrendaLawrence.com.
Garnet Lewis - 98 HD
Garnet Lewis, candidate for Michigan's 98th House district
Garnet Lewis of Saginaw County's Tittabawassee Township is running for the State Representative seat in the 98th District in Michigan.
Lewis has a rich background in politics and community involvement. She founded the Saginaw Area Democratic Club and subsequently has served as President. In that capacity, she has been a force in several Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) campaigns, including those of Governor Jennifer Granholm and State Representative Andy Coulouris. She also organized door to door efforts to defeat Proposal 2 in 2006. She is an elected Democratic Precinct Delegate.
Garnet currently serves as the associate director for professional education at Central Michigan University and has worked in higher education for 24 years. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of North Texas, a master's degree from Northern Michigan University and a bachelor's degree from Truman State University in Missouri.
While Lewis's educational background, her professional expertise, and her service orientation uniquely suit her for political office, the central message of the campaign addresses education, economy, and healthcare-the three elements of a vital and growing society. Garnet stresses that affordable higher education will ensure the vibrancy of Michigan's future economy.
For information visit www.garnetlewis2008.com.
Deb Kennedy - 23 HD
Deb Kennedy, candidate for Michigan's 23rd House district
A self employed businesswoman for nearly 30 years, Deb was formerly in the social work field. She and her husband have two young adult sons.
Deb is currently elected to the Woodhaven Brownstown Board of Education, and has been a community activist for women, education, environmental and social issues. Instrumental in working with Katrina victims displaced to southeast Michigan and bringing a free mammogram program to her community, she is a leader that shares a vision and enlists others to work together to achieve it.
Tracey Schultz Kobylarz - Redford Supervisor
Tracey Schultz Kobylarz - Redford Supervisor
Tracey Schultz Kobylarz has been an advocate for women for as long as she can remember. She broke the gender barrier way back in 6th grade when she chose the safety patrol over service squad, in 9th grade when she chose shop class over home economics and as an adult when she became the first woman member of the Rotary Club in Redford Township. "It is time for change. It is time for Redford to have its' first woman supervisor."
Tracey Schultz Kobylarz has been a resident of Redford Township for more than 40 years. Growing up and raising her family in Redford, gives Tracey a thorough understanding of the community she serves and the needs of her constituents. With a solid business management and human resources background and a true heart for people, Tracey is ideally equipped to be the trusted, effective, dynamic and responsive leader Redford Township needs.
Tracey earned a Bachelor's degree in Community Development from Central Michigan University and is a Certified Citizen Planner through Michigan State University. She is active with the faith community at St. Valentine, and is a member of SEMCOG where she served on the Community & Economic Development Committee and the Workforce Development Taskforce.
Tracey is currently employed as Director of Human Resources at The Guidance Center, a 35M non-profit mental health and early education services agency where she is directly responsible for labor relations, collective bargaining staff acquisition and retention programs.
Tracey and Matthew, her husband of 22 years, have two children. They have a son, Alex, who is 20 years old and is a senior at MSU studying urban planning. Their daughter, Amy, is 13 years old and is in the 8th grade.
Ellen Cogen Lipton - 27 HD
Ellen Cogen Lipton, candidate for Michigan's 27th House district
Ellen Cogen Lipton is a patent attorney, a Harvard Law School graduate, and she holds a BS in Chemistry from Williams College. She lives in Huntington Woods with her husband, Marc, and her two children, Corey, 8, and Celia, 5.
Ellen is President of the Michigan Ambassadors for the Weizmann Institute, one of the world's foremost medical research institutes. She lectures for Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures. She believes that Michigan should lead the way in bio medical research - innovative policies can create a new source of high paying jobs for Southeast Michigan Families, and bring new hope to families who battle chronic illness.
Ellen has been closely involved in Local and State government. She created, organized, and ran the Berkely Educational Foundation's first annual "Read in the Park" - the primary fundraiser for the Berkley School District. She is a third term member of the Huntington Woods Zoning Board of Appeals. She was asked to be a member of the city's ad hoc committee on financial stability and the budget. Last year, she was appointed by Governor Granholm to be the public representative on the State Board of Accountancy. Ellen completed a fellowship with the Center for Progressive Leadership earlier this year.
She is also heavily involved in local and national charities, including Jewish Federation, where she sits on the steering committee for the Class of a Million.
For more information visit www.voteforellen.org.
Patricia Rayl - Summit Township Board of Trustees
Patricia Rayl, candidate for the Summit Township Board of Trustees
Since entering the workforce, Patricia's been a journalist at a weekly paper, where she learned the importance of listening to people and getting things right. She was a small business owner where she learned about cash flow, making payroll by the "sweat of your own brow," and the importance of supporting other local businesses. Patricia also worked on the cutting edge of the Internet industry, where she learned about the harm of hollow promises and the value of teamwork. Patricia currently works at the University of Michigan, where she learned about the importance of dialogue between the academic community, the business and nonprofit community, and community leaders.
Patricia serves on the Summit Township Zoning Board of Appeals, the Upper Grand River Watershed Council, the Advisory Board for the Armory Arts Village, the Board of the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, and past chair of the Jackson County Democratic Women's Caucus. She was named the 2007 Jackson County Democrat of the Year.
Sarah Roberts - 24 HD
Sarah Roberts, candidate for Michigan's 24rd House district
Sarah Roberts is currently a Macomb County Commissioner representing northern St. Clair Shores. She was elected in 2006. Sarah is now running for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 24, which includes St. Clair Shores, Harrison Township and Lake Township.
Sarah's background is in community organizing. She got her start working for Michigan Clean Water Action, fighting to protect Lake St. Clair and the Great Lakes.
Sarah is a hardworking elected official who is committed to putting people first and strengthening her community. She serves on the Macomb County Water Quality Board and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Lake St. Clair. She helped lead the effort to form the Macomb County Women's Commission, the third in the state of Michigan.
Sarah is a volunteer coordinator for Green Michigan, an Adopt-A-Road Organizer, a member of the St. Clair Shores Optimist Club and a member of the Lac St. Claire Kiwanis.
Sarah is fighting to expand access to quality affordable healthcare to all Michigan citizens. She is committed to getting our economy back on track and ensuring that citizens in Macomb County can get good-paying jobs. Sarah will also fight to strengthen our schools and help every citizen get the education and training they need to compete in today's economy.
Julie Rogers - 61 HD
Julie Rogers, candidate for Michigan's 61st House district
From the beginning of her professional career, Julie has been actively engaged in politics, particularly on the health care front. For nearly 10 years, she has fought hard for the rights of Michigan's citizens by advocating for adequate Medicare coverage. In 2007, as the Michigan Physical Therapy Federal Affairs Liaison, she met with US Representative Fred Upton and achieved personal endorsement for a bill to maintain Medicare benefits. She practices as a Physical Therapist at both local hospitals in Kalamazoo.
During the 2006 campaign, Rogers was very narrowly defeated in her quest for State Representative. She received 49.44% of the vote in the 61st District. She is back in the fight for the same house seat which is now open due to term limits.
For more information visit www.juliemrogers.com and check out MLive.com.
Kate Segal - 62 HD
Kate Segal, candidate for Michigan's 62nd House district
Building on her federal and state legislative staff experience, Chairwoman Kate Segal was first elected to the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners in 2002.
A firm believer in the importance of involving young people in the political process, one of Chairwoman Segal's first acts on the Commission was to create the Calhoun County Youth Council. The Youth Council provides high school students the opportunity to impact issues important to young people throughout the county.
Passionate about providing health care to all citizens, Chairwoman Segal is the Board President of the Calhoun Health Plan and was instrumental in its start. The Calhoun Health Plan serves as a resource for the uninsured and underinsured residents of Calhoun County. Chairwoman Segal is also the Chair of her neighborhood association and provides key input on area senior needs as a member of the Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
Segal is a member of the Junior League of Battle Creek. Segal most recently was Chair of the Nutrition Project which helps our community make healthier choices by engaging parents and their children in making healthy choices. Chairwoman Segal is also active in the United Way of Greater Battle Creek, supporting the health of seniors as the Board Vice-Chairwoman of the Comprehensive Senior Care Corporation, and a Board Member for the Urban League of Battle Creek.
Most recently, Chairwoman Segal was honored by S.A.F.E. Place with the Ann Shafer Community Service Award that recognizes an individual or organization that has significantly impacted the issue of domestic violence.
Chairwoman Segal is a graduate of Kalamazoo College. She is married to Mike Segal and is the mother of Elise. Chairwoman Segal is also the District Director for State Senator Mark Schauer.
Dian Slavens - 21 HD
Dian Slavens, candidate for Michigan's 21st House district
Dian Slavens has deep roots in Canton Township, and she is dedicated to creating a better life for the working families of Canton Township, Belleville and Van Buren Township. As a mother and grandmother, Dian will fight to turn our state around by strengthening our schools, creating jobs and keeping our youngest and brightest workers right here in Michigan.
As a respiratory therapist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Dian knows first-hand the importance of health care. As a State Representative, Dian will work to ensure that all Michigan residents - especially our children and seniors - get the care they need to live full, healthy and happy lives.
Dian knows the value of a good education. She worked her way through college, earning a degree in applied science and becoming certified as a respiratory therapist in 1981. Making sure that college remains affordable will be a top priority for Dian in the legislature.
Dian has always been active in her community and her profession. She is a volunteer at Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Canton Township and as a Girl Scout leader for the Huron Valley Council. Dian also is a member of the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care, the National Board for Respiratory Care and the American Association for Respiratory Care.
Dian has lived in Canton Township with her husband, Mark, for the past 20 years. They have three children, Damey, Patrick and Molly, and one grandson, Evan.
Judy Truesdell - 78 HD
Judy Truesdell, candidate for Michigan's 78th House district
For over 35 years, Judy and he husband Terry have worked together as partners starting and operating three successful and innovative businesses including IDI Design Group, Inc, the company they currently own and operate. In 1980 Judy began one of the first woman-owned and operated manufacturing companies in the area called Tree Play, Inc. producing redwood play structures for children. Today, Judy and her daughter operate the internationally recognized online company called Cupcaketree.com that they began together.
Judy has served for more than ten years as an elected Trustee of Lake Michigan College - a position she has won overwhelmingly in two elections. As a long-time community leader, Judy has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations including several community foundations. She also was a founding member of Save Local Agriculture, a non profit organization started in 2007 that is dedicated to protecting the region's agricultural heritage.
Judy, who was born and raised in Pontiac, has lived with her husband Terry for almost 40 years in his hometown of Niles. Their daughter Meg is married and has 2 small daughters, Laura and Kate, Judy and Terry's pride and joy.
Judy's experiences in business, her long-time and well-recognized community and philanthropic leadership and her name recognition as a trustee and 2006 candidate put her at a distinct advantage to win this open seat in November.
You can learn more about Judy at www.judyjudyjudy.org.
Mary Valentine - 91 HD
Mary Valentine, candidate for Michigan's 91st House district
Mary is in her first term as State Representative of the 91st District. She is a retired teacher, having spent over 39 years working as a Speech Therapist in Michigan's public schools. Mary was active in raising her children: football club, band parents, etc. She taught Sunday School for 16 years, served on her church board, and is a professional writer. Mary is a strong supporter of women, the environment and labor and has worked diligently to bring jobs to her area during her first term in office. Mary lives in Norton Shores and has been married to Phil Valentine for 29 years; they have two adult children.
They've all been asked!
200 Michigan women have now graduated from the candidate training co-hosted by MI List and EMILY's List. They have all been asked to run for political office and given the tools to win!
The first of three candidate trainings for the 2008 cycle was held in Detroit on October 19th and 20th. State Senator Martha Scott, 2nd District and Judge Margie Braxton, Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court kicked off the weekend with their political stories and sage advice. They reminded us that perseverance is a large part of victory and that it is never too early to take that first step towards running.
Senator Scott and Judge Braxton agreed that public service is a uniquely fulfilling profession, well worth the effort it requires.
MI List News Archives
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- MI List visits with the new Speaker of the House
- Benton Harbor Candidate Training Success!
