53rd District : All posts

Irwin vs. Spisak: Education a key issue for candidates in 53rd District race for state House

State Rep. Jeff Irwin spends much of his time on the campaign trail talking about education funding and decrying cuts Republicans have made to Michigan's public schools and universities.

"It's been incredibly frustrating to see $1.5 billion raided from our school aid fund — taxes that we paid that are supposed to go to schools taken away from our schools, driving class sizes up," he said.

Irwin beats Partridge in 53rd District state House race in Ann Arbor

With all precincts reporting, state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, has defeated Democratic challenger Thomas Partridge in the 53rd District state House primary race.

The final vote count was 5,541-725, with Irwin getting 88.2 percent.

Irwin and Partridge face off in 53rd District state House candidate debate

Thomas Partridge came out swinging Monday night, suggesting state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, was complicit in back-room deals and questionable activity as a county commissioner.

"I'm pointing out numerous areas of what should be viewed as irresponsible and corrupt public policies while Jeff Irwin was on the Washtenaw County commission," Partridge said at a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters in Ann Arbor.

Q&A with Jeff Irwin: 'The Republicans picked a fight with the Constitution and we're prepared to stand up for it'

State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, and five other Democratic lawmakers who are co-plaintiffs in a lawsuit argue House Republicans have repeatedly granted immediate effect to controversial bills that don't actually have the two-thirds majority support needed to take such action.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

It's a case that has attracted national media attention, including coverage from Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, and it's now playing out in the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Rep. Jeff Irwin, Democrats defeat GOP-backed effort to take away domestic partner benefits

State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, joined fellow Democrats in the state House today in defeating Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, a Republican-backed effort to do away with promised domestic partner benefits for state employees.

The measure, which needed buy-in from Democrats to pass, had a 66-41 showing of support but failed to garner the two-thirds majority vote that was required.

Gift of wine for passage of emergency manager legislation doesn't thrill Ann Arbor lawmaker

It's customary in Lansing for a lawmaker to send colleagues in the Legislature a gift from his or her district after getting a first piece of legislation passed.

So it came as no surprise today that state Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville, followed through with a special bottle of wine delivered to the offices of fellow state House members, including those who voted against his controversial emergency financial manager legislation.

With poll: GOP-backed bill would discriminate against legal residents, Ann Arbor lawmaker says

State Rep. Jeff Irwin says a piece of legislation headed his committee's way in the state House might be best dubbed the "Show Me Your Papers" bill.

But calling it the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," he argues, is a slap in the face to hard-working officers who protect and serve every day.

State Rep. Jeff Irwin sponsoring legislation to strengthen protections for seniors

State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, announced today he's sponsoring legislation aimed at combating elder abuse in Michigan by strengthening consumer protections for seniors and increasing penalties for those who financially exploit them.

Rep. Jeff Irwin seeking feedback from Ann Arbor residents on issues facing Michigan

In his first month in the Michigan Legislature, state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, says he's already working on tackling a number of issues — ranging from absentee voting for any reason to a graduated income tax to energy efficiency financing.

Irwin, a former Washtenaw County commissioner, also has set his sights on funding for the I-94 rail corridor, second parent adoption, rules to encourage organ donation, refining the state's Freedom of Information Act, and changes to the Corridor Improvement Authority Act to better facilitate future redevelopment along Washtenaw Avenue from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti.

Campaign finance reports show Washtenaw County candidates raised hundreds of thousands

Republican Mark Ouimet and Democrat Christine Green combined to raise more than $431,700 competing for the 52nd District state House seat, campaign finance reports show.

The reports, which were due today, demonstrate just how much was riding on the western Washtenaw County race to replace outgoing state Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township.

with video: Jeff Irwin and Rebekah Warren will represent Ann Arbor in Michigan House and Senate

Ann Arbor mayor John Hieftje chats with Jeff Irwin during an election results party at Arbor Brewing Company on Tuesday night.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

Democrats Jeff Irwin and Rebekah Warren jointly declared victory moments ago in their respective state House and Senate races, telling a crowd of cheering supporters at Arbor Brewing Co. they look forward to going to work in Lansing.

Both Irwin and Warren were heavily favored to win heading into tonight's elections, and Ann Arbor voters delivered the verdicts most expected.

Christine Green and Mark Ouimet lead the way, spend $108,000 in latest campaign finance reports

The race for the 52nd District state House seat in western Washtenaw County is heating up, with Republican Mark Ouimet and Democrat Christine Green raising and spending big bucks.

The latest campaign finance reports filed today show Ouimet, of Scio Township, raised nearly $46,000 in the most recent reporting period, which covers Aug. 24 to Oct. 17.

Republican Rob Steele a no-show at candidate forum, but John Dingell still finds a strong critic

U.S. Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, speaks about national health care reform at a candidate forum Wednesday night at the Ann Arbor City Club while forum moderator James Mitchiner looks on.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

It didn't appear that U.S. Congressman John Dingell was going to face much opposition Thursday night when his Republican opponent, Ann Arbor-area cardiologist Rob Steele, didn't attend a candidate forum hosted by the Washtenaw County Medical Society.

Ann Arbor Republican Chase Ingersoll takes stage alone in 53rd District state House debate

Republican Chase Ingersoll said it seemed a bit unusual Tuesday night when Democrat Jeff Irwin didn't show up on time for their scheduled debate at CTN studios in Ann Arbor.

"I'm usually the one that's tardy," Ingersoll admitted.

Candidates in Washtenaw County spent thousands on campaigns, new finance reports show

(This story has been updated to reflect information from campaign finance reports filed by John Hieftje, Jack Eaton, Lou Glorie. Glorie filed her report late today. Eaton filed his report shortly before the county clerk's office closed on Thursday, but due to a lag on the county's part it was not posted online until today. Hieftje filed his report on time, but due to a technical glitch it was not posted correctly online.)

Post-primary campaign finance reports filed Thursday show candidates in Washtenaw County spent some serious money competing for party nominations in the Aug. 3 primary election.

By far the biggest battle was the 18th District state Senate race that pitted state Rep. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, against state Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township.

Snyder crossover effect may have helped Jeff Irwin and Rebekah Warren clinch victory on Tuesday

The crossover movement that led many Democrats in Michigan to break tradition and vote for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder on Tuesday likely cost a number of moderate Democratic candidates some votes.

That appears to have played out at the top of the ticket in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, where Virg Bernero came out ahead of Andy Dillon by a larger margin than many expected.

Irwin edges past Staebler for 53rd District state rep seat; Warren solidly defeats Byrnes in Senate race

18th District state Senate candidate Rebekah Warren gives a speech to her supporters after finding out she won her race at Arbor Brewing Co.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Ann Arbor area voters have chosen Rebekah Warren and Jeff Irwin as the Democratic nominees in two hotly contested state legislative races.

Unofficial results show Warren cruised past opponent Pam Byrnes 13,113 to 9,539 in the 18th District state Senate primary race with all precincts reporting. Thomas Partridge, a third candidate in the race, picked up 908 votes.

Irwin narrowly defeated Ned Staebler 5,051 to 4,845 in the 53rd District state House race, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting.

State employees honor Rebekah Warren for work protecting Michigan's wetlands

State Rep. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, has been named the 2010 Legislator of the Year by the Service Employees International Union, an award given in recognition of a deal she brokered this past year to protect Michigan's 30-year-old wetlands program.

updated: Ned Staebler raises nearly $90K to Jeff Irwin's $45K in 53rd District state House race

(This story has been updated to note additional campaign finance information.)

In the 53rd District state House race, Ned Staebler is significantly outpacing Jeff Irwin, raising $89,753 compared to Irwin's $45,214.

election preview

Jeff Irwin and Ned Staebler battling for chance to represent Ann Arbor in state House

After more than a decade in the trenches of county government, Jeff Irwin is hoping to take his political career to the next level and represent Ann Arbor in the state House.

His opponent in next month's Democratic primary, Ned Staebler, is aiming to enter the political arena for the first time, knowing he's the underdog.