Adam Zemke - Ann Arbor

Adam F. Zemke, an Ann Arbor Democrat, represents District 55 in the Michigan House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in 2012, and was re-elected in 2014. His current term runs through 2016. District 55 covers parts of northern Ann Arbor, the townships of Ann Arbor, Augusta, Pittsfield and York, and a northern part of the city of Milan. [map of District 55]

Adam Zemke at a 2012 League of Women Voters candidate forum. (Photo from The Ann Arbor Chronicle.)

Prior to his tenure as state representative, in 2010 Zemke – who lived in Dexter Township at the time – ran for the District 1 seat on the Washtenaw County board of commissioners, covering the west and northwest portions of the county. He won a three-way Democratic primary, but was defeated in the 2010 November general election by Republican Rob Turner.

Zemke has served on the Dexter Township Public Safety Advisory Committee, the city of Ann Arbor’s Housing and Human Services Advisory Board, and the Washtenaw County Community Action Board.

Zemke holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University. He attended Ann Arbor public schools – Haisley Elementary, Forsythe Middle School, and Pioneer High School.

He is single and currently lives in downtown Ann Arbor.

Timeline

Nov. 4, 2014: Wins general election for the 55th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, defeating Republican Leonard O. Burk. Gets 19,090 votes (67.63%) compared to 9,029 votes (31.98%) for Burk. Zemke had been unopposed in the August Democratic primary.

Nov. 6, 2012: Wins three-way general election race for the 55th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, against Republican Owen Diaz and David A. McMahon, a Green Party candidate. Gets 26,197 votes (64.33%) compared to 13,029 votes (32%) for Diaz and 1,415 votes (3.47%) for McMahon.

Aug. 7, 2012: Wins the Democratic primary for the 55th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, defeating Andrea Brown-Harrison. Gets 3,439 votes (61.55%) compared to 2,133 votes (38.18%) for Brown-Harrison.

Adam Zemke drives the car for U.S. Rep. John Dingell in the 2011 Ann Arbor July 4 parade. Dingell's wife, Debbie Dingell, is riding in the back seat.

Nov. 17, 2011: Forms candidate committee to run for the 55th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. His campaign treasurer is former Ann Arbor city councilmember Leigh Greden.

2010: Takes job as manager of North American automotive programs for s3c Inc.

Nov. 2, 2010: Loses the general election for District 1 Washtenaw County commissioner to Republican Rob Turner. Gets 7,133 votes (47.43%) compared to 7,856 votes (52.24%) for Turner.

Aug. 3, 2010: Wins Democratic primary for District 1 Washtenaw County commissioner in a three-way race. Gets 1,310 votes (69.98%) compared to 282 votes (15.06%) for Eric Borregard and 275 votes (14.69%) for Reid McCarthy. The seat had previously been held by Republican Mark Ouimet, who decided to run for state representative that year. At that time, District 1 covered the west and northwest portion of Washtenaw County, and Zemke lived in Dexter Township.

2008-2010: Works as a project manager for Demmer Corp.'s aerospace division, Oakland business unit.

2008: Earns a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University.

2005-2009: Works on the MSU Formula Racing Team in various positions, including project manager and operations manager.

2005: Graduates from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

June 4, 1983: Birthdate.

In the news

Ann Arbor state representatives disappointed, not surprised Proposal 1 failed – MLive, May 5, 2015

Students use passion for politics to intern at state Capitol – State News, March 25, 2015

Ann Arbor lawmaker aims to close open-carry gun loophole for schools – MLive, March 21, 2015

Ann Arbor Rep. Adam Zemke on how to improve early education in Michigan – Michigan Radio, Feb. 17, 2015

State Rep Adam Zemke appointed to Youth in Government Board of Directors – Heritage Newspapers, Feb. 8, 2015

Ann Arbor lawmaker named top Democrat on state House Education Committee – MLive, Jan. 16, 2015

Twitter Talk: Ann Arbor representative pledges to post all votes, rationale – Michigan Daily, Jan. 15, 2015

Washtenaw County representatives in state House and Senate win re-election – Nov. 5, 2014

Guest column: State Representative Adam Zemke endorses annexation of Whitmore Lake School district – MLive, Oct. 30, 2014

Voter guide: 55th Assembly District has likely Democratic win – Michigan Daily, Sept. 22, 2014

Ann Arbor Lawmaker Proposes Ban On Gay 'Conversion Therapy' For Minors – WEMU, July 30, 2014

Michigan Democrat Adam Zemke wants to ban ‘ex-gay’ therapies for minors - Gay Star News, July 29, 2014

Teacher evaluation bill meant to help, not punish, co-sponsor says – Bridge Magazine, Feb. 3, 2014

Ann Arbor business lunch takes on minimum wage debate – CBS Detroit, Jan. 30, 2014

Catastrophic Reform: Adam Zemke's insurance heartbreak – Ann Arbor Observer, July 2013

Eastern Leaders Group summit: Officials discuss economic revival of eastern Washtenaw County – AnnArbor.com, April 8, 2013

Three-Way Race in State House 55th District – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Oct. 14, 2012

Zemke wins primary race for 55th District seat in Michigan House – AnnArbor.com, Aug. 7, 2012

State Legislative Candidates Share Views – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, July 11, 2012

Adam Zemke files to run for 1st District seat on Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners – AnnArbor.com, April 13, 2010

On his campaign website, Zemke states he is a fifth generation Washtenaw County resident and attended Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School. He says he can't think of a childhood memory that doesn’t involve something in Washtenaw County, be it helping his father move jukeboxes for his family's 75-year-old business, be it lazy summer days on the lake, or be it the nights spent helping his father deliver the Chelsea Standard and Dexter Leader for his great aunt and uncle.