Jim Townsend, Candidate for State Representative, House District 26

General information

Name: Jim Townsend 
Age: 46
Place of residence: Royal Oak, MI

Education

B.A., History, Highest Honors, University of North Carolina, 1988
M.B.A., University of Michigan, 1997
M.P.P., University of Michigan, 1997

Employment Information

Current job title: State Representative, House District 26

Political information

Running for a: State office
Running for position: State Representative 
Chamber/district: House District 26
Incumbent: Yes
Previous elective offices: N/A
Party affiliation: Democrat

Party HQ

Address: 939 E. 12 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071

Website

www.votejimtownsend.com

Statement of Purpose:

I'm running for re-election because I love the people and places of Michigan and I believe the talent and integrity of our people and the quality of our communities are the keys to our future. But career politicians, who thrive on conflict not results, have convinced too many of us that we can’t come together to invest in what matters and discard what doesn’t work.  I’m running for re-election to the office of State Representative because I think we can do better than that. At this crucial moment, it’s time for new leadership.

I am running because the promise of a middle class life in Michigan is being broken for too many of our people. We need a state government that will stand up to special interests and invest in the public goods like education that are crucial to creating good-paying jobs for our people. Our budget and tax priorities have been skewed to favor the privileged and well-connected at the expense of the middle class and those struggling to get or stay there. That must change if we are to begin restoring the middle class dream in Michigan that our kids and theirs will want to inherit.

I’ve been a leader in industry and the nonprofit sector, creating jobs and building alliances to make our communities stronger. I helped Ford Motor Company achieve record sales, founded the Michigan Suburbs Alliance to support communities like Royal Oak and Madison Heights, and brought together leaders from across metro Detroit to enable our region to attract more visitors and build our economy. Now, I want to continue to be your voice for an agenda in Lansing that gives all of our people the opportunity to succeed and creates communities where our kids will want to build their own lives.  If you believe that working together we can create a new Michigan, then sign up to get involved with our campaign and join our effort!