Hon. David E. Rutledge 

Former State Representative in the Michigan House of 54th House District

Rutledge has extensive experience in the public sector. He was first elected to a two-year term in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010, representing the 54th District (Ypsilanti, Superior and Ypsilanti Townships) After his reelection in 2012, he was chosen as Democratic Floor Leader for the House.

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He was reelected state representative in 2014 and currently serves as the Democratic vice chair of the military & veterans affairs committee and is a member of the local government and transportation & infrastructure committees.

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Previously, Rutledge served as chair of the board of directors of the National Association of Community College Trustees, based in Washington D.C., and was on the Washtenaw Community College’s board of trustees from 1977 – 2010.

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He has held elected office as a township supervisor, serving two consecutive four-year terms before being appointed by then-Speaker of the House, Gary Owen, to serve as deputy director of the Legislative Research Staff for Michigan’s House of Representatives.

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Among his many volunteer activities, Rutledge has served on the local board of directors for Citizens Bank and is a former member of the board of directors for the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. In addition, he has served on the board of Dawn Farm Drug Rehabilitation Center and chaired the Washtenaw County Parks Commission.

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Rutledge was honored by the Ann Arbor News as its “Citizen of the Year” in 2000, for his leadership and service to his community and the State of Michigan.

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Rutledge received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Tennessee State University and has done graduate work at both Harvard and the University of Michigan law schools. He is a military veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force as a personnel officer with the rank of Captain.

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Rutledge and his late wife, Gerald Simmons Rutledge, have two children, Marcus and Felicia, and two grandchildren, Kelton and Darius.

Hon. David E. Rutledge 

Former State Representative in the Michigan House of 54th House District

Mayor, City of Milan

Hon. Dominic Hamden 

Mayor Dominic Hamden (Milan) is a well-regarded Washtenaw County Attorney.  He has been admitted to practice since December 2004.  Dominic has a general practice, handling many different types of matters.  Prior to becoming Mayor of Milan, Dominic served as a Milan City Councilor for eight years. Dominic, a native of Adrian, graduated from Lenawee Christian High School and then the University of Michigan in 2001 with a degree in Political Science.  Dominic graduated from Thomas Cooley Law School and has argued before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Dominic lives in Milan with his wife, Laura, and their children, Ethan (12) and Alexander (10). 

Hon. Dominic Hamden 

Mayor, City of Milan

Hon. Mike St. John 

Administrative Law Judge, State of Michigan

Hon. Mike St. John 

Administrative Law Judge, State of Michigan

Lois Richardson

City of Ypsilanti

City Council Member 

Lois E. Allen-Richardson was born and raised in the City of Ypsilanti and is a proud product of Ypsilanti Public Schools. She is a 1965 graduate of Eastern Michigan University where she earned a BS Degree in Social Work and Education.

Lois was called to the Christian Ministry in 1977 and was licensed and ordained in 1983. In between these years, she attended and graduated from Freedom Christian Center Bible College where she also served as an instructor.

In 2000 Lois was elected to the Ypsilanti City Council to represent Ward 1 where she has served consecutive terms and continues to represent the residents of this Ward. Always seeking to increase her contribution to improving the lives of others through social and civic involvement, she ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Ypsilanti in 2002 and 2006. In 2008, she was selected by her fellow council members to serve as Mayor Pro-tem and continues to serves in that position today.

Lois is an active or past member of many organizations where she has served in various capacities. These organizations include HOPE Clinic (volunteer); Washtenaw County Assault Crisis Center (volunteer); Washtenaw County Jail (Counselor and Chaplain); Ypsilanti Area Community Fund (former Board Member); SOS (former Board Member); Michigan Municipal League (former Board Member); Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (President); Michigan State Association of Colored Women's Clubs (First Vice President); Palm Leaf Club of Ypsilanti (President).

Lois Richardson

City of Ypsilanti

City Council Member