Ann Arbor's 53rd district will have a new state representative in 2016. Jeff Irwin currently holds this seat, though he faces term limits and will be unable to seek re-election.
Washtenaw County Commissioner YousefRabhi officially announced his intent to be Ann Arbor's next State Representative Monday afternoon at the Buhr Park Wet Meadow Project to a group of nearly 30 supporters, elected officials, and local media.
Rabhi announced that he will run in next year's Democratic primary for the 53rd Michigan House District race, and that many community leaders are already endorsing his candidacy. If elected, there are several issues he wants to focus on including:
- promoting education
- protecting the environment
- ensuring equality and economic resiliency
Rabhi, a lifelong resident of Washtenaw County, has served on the County's Board of Commissioners since 2011 and works full-time as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum at the Unviersity of Michigan. He was elected in 2010 while still a college student at the University of Michigan. He says his 5 years experience in local politics has taught him how to work well with others regardless of their political beliefs. He further explains:
"I have prided myself in working with a broad diversity of people. Republicans, Democrats - people that have different viewpoints from mine. I've learned from those experiences how important collaboration is. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and work with everybody in Lansing, even if I don't agree with them. I feel like I have the experience to do that."
Rabhi says if elected, he wants to focus on reducing the state's reliance on fossil fuels, and improving Michigan's public education system by working on college affordability. He explained that he's interested in working at the state level to create policy that allows both the local and state government "to do the right thing."
No other candidates have made an announcement to run at this time.
