Elizabeth Brater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Liz Brater | |
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Member of the Michigan State Senate
from the 18th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2003 |
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| Born | April 12, 1951 Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Enoch Brater |
| Profession | writer, editor, university lecturer |
| Religion | Jewish |
Elizabeth Brater is a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 18th District since 2003 and currently serving as the Assistant Minority Leader. Her district includes the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Previously she was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1994 to 2000.[1][2]
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[edit] Early life
Brater was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1975, after her husband, Enoch Brater, took a job as an English professor at the University of Michigan. In Ann Arbor, she worked as an editor and writer, also teaching courses on local government and writing at the university.
[edit] Political career
Brater won election as a Democrat to the Ann Arbor city council from the city's Third Ward in 1988. She then ran for mayor of Ann Arbor in April 1991, defeating two-term incumbent Republican mayor Gerald D. Jernigan. Brater was the first woman to be elected mayor of Ann Arbor. As mayor, Brater established the city's extensive recycling program. After serving one two-year term, she was defeated in her mayoral reelection campaign, losing in April 1993 to the Republican challenger, former city council member Ingrid Sheldon, who went on to serve four two-year terms as mayor.
After her mayoral defeat, Brater ran successfully for the Michigan House of Representatives in November 1994. She served in the House from 1995 to 2000, representing Michigan's 53rd district. Term limits prevented Brater from running for a fourth term.
In November 2002, Brater won election to the Michigan Senate. In the Democratic primary, she defeated a fellow member of the Michigan House, John Hansen of Dexter. In the general election, she triumphed easily over Republican candidate Gordon Darr, a Scio Township Trustee, and Green Party candidate Elliott Smith.
[edit] Committees
As of 2006, Brater continues to serve in the Michigan Senate. She is a member of the Judiciary and Finance committees, the vice-chair of the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs and the Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism committees. Brater also serves as a member of the Governor's Land Use Leadership Council.
[edit] Electoral history
- 2006 Election for the Michigan State Senate - 18th District
| Name | Percent |
|---|---|
| Liz Brater (D) | 71.5% |
| John Kopinski | 28.5% |
- 2002 Election for the Michigan State Senate - 18th District
| Name | Percent |
|---|---|
| Liz Brater (D) | 63.5% |
| Gordon Darr | 33.3% |
| Elliott Smith (G) | 3.2% |
[edit] References
- ^ (2006) Michigan Manual 2005-2006. Lansing, MI: Legislative Council, State of Michigan, 129. Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
- ^ Michigan Senate Democrats: About Liz Brater (2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
[edit] External links
- Michigan Senate - Liz Brater official government website
- Floor Statements video clips
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Elizabeth S. 'Liz' Brater (MI) profile
- Follow the Money - Liz Brater
- Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus
- Michigan Liberal - SD18
- Mayors of Ann Arbor page at PoliticalGraveyard.com
| Preceded by Gerald D. Jernigan |
Mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan 1991–1993 |
Succeeded by Ingrid Sheldon |
| Preceded by Lynn N. Rivers (D) |
State Representative for Michigan's 53rd District 1995–2001 |
Succeeded by Chris Kolb (D) |
