Brenda L. Lawrence

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Brenda L Lawrence
Brenda L. Lawrence
Mayor of Southfield
In office
2001 – Present
Born October 18, 1954 (1954-10-18) (age 53)
Detroit, Michigan
Political party Democratic
Spouse McArthur Lawrence

Brenda L. Lawrence (born October 18, 1954, Detroit, Michigan) is the current mayor of Southfield, Michigan and the Democratic candidate for Oakland County Executive.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Lawrence grew up in Detroit's northeast side and was raised by her grandparents after her mother died when she was just three years old.[1]. She graduated from Detroit's Pershing High School, and earned her bachelor's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.[2]

[edit] Political career

In the early 1990s, as an active member of the PTA at her childrens' school, she sought and earned a seat on the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education, serving as president, vice president, and secretary. In 1997, she was elected to serve on Southfield's City Council and in 1999, she became council president. She was elected as mayor in 2001, defeating longtime incumbent Donald Fracassi.[3] Lawrence, Southfield's first African-American and first female mayor, was a Michigan delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.[4] She was re-elected as mayor in 2005 without opposition. As a superdelegate at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, she endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for president.[5]

[edit] 2008 Campaign for Oakland County Executive

In May 2008, Lawrence announced her candidacy for Oakland County Executive.[6] She is unopposed for the Democratic nomination to unseat the Republican incumbent, L. Brooks Patterson.

[edit] Personal life

Lawrence has been married to McArthur Lawrence for over 30 years. The couple have two children and a grandchild Asya.[7]

[edit] Electoral History

  • 2005 Election for Mayor of Southfield[8]
Name Percent
Brenda L. Lawrence   Unopposed
  • 2001 Election for Mayor of Southfield[9]
Name Percent
Brenda L. Lawrence   52.6%
Donald Fracassi   47.4%

[edit] References

  1. ^ Detroit News, 6/3/2008, Lawrence embraces challenge as Southfield mayor takes on 'iconic' Patterson
  2. ^ Official Biography
  3. ^ Official Biography
  4. ^ Political Graveyard
  5. ^ Official Campaign Website
  6. ^ Official Campaign Website
  7. ^ Official Biography
  8. ^ Official Election Results Certified by the Southfield City Clerk
  9. ^ Official Election Results Certified by the Southfield City Clerk

[edit] External links

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