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Posted on Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 5:58 a.m.

55th District Democratic primary: Candidate is 2nd-time no-show for debate

By Amy Biolchini

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Michigan House of Representatives candidates listen to volunteers from the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area during a televised debate Monday night. Left to right: 53rd District candidate Thomas Partridge, 53rd District incumbent Jeff Irwin and 55th District candidate Adam Zemke.

Amy Biolchini | AnnArbor.com

For the second time this election season, Michigan state representative 55th District candidate Adam Zemke found himself alone at a debate.

During a candidate debate Monday night by the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor area, broadcast live from the CTN studios in Ann Arbor, opposing Democratic candidate for the 55th District Andrea Brown-Harrison was not present.

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Andrea Brown-Harrison

It was the second time Brown-Harrison was not present during a candidate debate this election season, the first at the Ann Arbor Democratic Party candidate forum June 16.

The purpose of the live debate, which also included the Democratic candidates for the 53rd District - Thomas Partridge and incumbent State Rep. Jeff Irwin - was to give candidates a chance to voice their views on a list of issues drafted by the League.

Brown-Harrison could not be reached for comment Monday night.

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The Ann Arbor League of Women Voters said that although she is a valid candidate, they had not heard a response to their invitation to the debate after numerous attempts to contact her.

Zemke and Brown-Harrison are vying for the Democratic spot on the November ballot for a two-year spot in the Michigan House of Representatives. Voters will decide the race in the primary Aug. 7.

In November, the Democratic primary winner will face Republican and former Milan Mayor Owen Diaz.

The seat is currently being held by Rep. Rick Olson, R-York Township. After redistricting changed the political makeup of the area he represents, Olson waited to see who was going to file on each party’s ticket before dropping out of the 2012 race entirely.

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Adam Zemke

Zemke, 29, lives in Ann Arbor and is an engineer working for an auto supplier. Born and raised in the area, Zemke graduated from Pioneer High School before earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University in mechanical engineering.

Zemke said he knocks on doors of voters in the 55th District seven days a week, and has learned more from talking to people than at any forum.

During the debate Monday evening, Zemke shared with Washtenaw County voters why he was running for office.

“I’m sick of seeing the ‘brain drain’ in Michigan, and seeing the current legislature not do anything about it,” Zemke said. “I’m running because I want to take these Washtenaw County values up to Lansing.”

He has gained a number of endorsements, including Irwin's and most recently the nod of the Detroit Regional Chamber's Political Action Committee.

Zemke expressed interest in working with the Democratic team from Washtenaw County - David Rutledge and Irwin - at the state level, if elected.

Irwin and Zemke often agreed with each other during Monday night’s debate.

“We need to solve transit in southeast Michigan,” Irwin said - to which Zemke later responded:

“Young people love urban environments,” Zemke said, explaining how mass transit is a critical component to preventing the “brain drain,” where young people from leave the state for greener pastures.

To revitalize southeast Michigan, Zemke emphasized the importance of education, and criticized college tuition rates in Michigan schools as unaffordable.

“Education is the number one form of economic development,” Zemke said.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.

Comments

hmsp

Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.

@ Debra Adams: PLEASE, Debra, don't misquote the guy! He didn't call Zemke's view of the world "pollyanish," he called it "polly annish." Seriously, though, don't you love these folks who hear a phrase on Faux News, and parrot it as best they can phonetically, while not having a clue about where it came from? Granted, I have an advantage here, being of an age that means I had many a fevered dream about Hayley Mills (Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, etc.) But even when I don't know a word already, I look it up before I even think of using it. So a "Pollyanna" is an unusually optimistic person, and the term is usually used disparagingly. Therefore, the adjective "pollyannaish" means unusually (usually unrealistically) optimistic. But "polly annish" is fast becoming a favorite label, used by the Polly Tickle Right.

Debra Adams

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:57 p.m.

Adam is a wonderful man who genuinely cares about his family, his constituents and his State. You could not get a better representative to represent your interests in the House. I would not call his views "pollyanish" but that he strives for what is ideal and this is a good thing. He will certainly get my vote. Debra Adams

xmo

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.

I think Andrea Brown-Harrison strategy is Brilliant! She is a Blank Slate that can be anything you want! Hey, It worked for President Obama why not Andrea Brown-Harrison!

DBH

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:17 p.m.

Curious, @xmo - when it comes to politicians, do you think a blank slate is preferable to an Etch-A-Sketch?

Chimay

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.

Can't believe the only woman running didn't show up to a debate hosted by the League of WOMEN Voters. Perhaps it is some form of political strategy I haven't figured out yet.

Pickforddick

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:45 a.m.

And it will be amazing to see just how many people will vote for this no-show candidate.

Basic Bob

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.

She was elected as township trustee 2 years ago without yard signs or any sort of campaigning. Without a contested primary she would be on her way to Lansing on the strength of straight ticket votes.

InsideTheHall

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.

I hope that Zemke details the definition of "Washtenaw County values". If he is agreeing with Irwin then he is merely a tax and spend liberal with a polly annish view of the world.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.

Yeah, Mike. Oh, I'm sorry. You weren't talking about Dubya.

Mike

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.

They never define what those values are. It's kinda of like the Obamacare that was passed. Just elect me and you'll find out what I'm about later.

Basic Bob

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.

It is disappointing that Ms. Brown-Harrison is not more engaged in this campaign. It would be helpful to have a competitive primary so we can learn more about the candidates, but more importantly to pressure the candidates to learn and understand their constituents. We have too many politicians that believe that they represent some fixed idea or special interest, instead of the voters in their district.

Barzoom

Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:30 a.m.

She's obviously not interested in showing herself to the voters. Maybe the voters should express their disinterest in her at the polls and vote for someone else.