Gilda Jacobs

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Gilda Jacobs
Gilda Jacobs
Member of the Michigan State Senate
from the 14th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 
2003
Preceded by Gary Peters
Member of the Michigan State Senate
from the 35th district
In office
1999 – 2002
Born April 1, 1949 (1949-04-01) (age 59)
Political party Democratic
Spouse John Jacobs
Profession educator, public administration
Religion Jewish

Gilda Z. Jacobs is a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 14th District since 2003. Her district is located in south-eastern Oakland County, mostly suburban and including the cities of Huntington Woods, Southfield, and Oak Park. Previously she was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.[1][2]

Contents

[edit] Early life

Senator Jacobs graduated from the University of Michigan, received her bachelor’s degree in science with a distinction in education in 1970 and a master’s degree in behavioral sciences in education in 1971. She was a special education teacher in the Madison School District until the late 1980s.

[edit] Political career

Jacobs was the first woman elected to the Huntington Woods City Commission, serving from 1981 to 1994. She was the Mayor Pro Tem of Huntington Woods in 1993-94. Jacobs also served a s Oakland County Commissioner from 1995 to 1998. She was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives in 1998, where she served for two terms. She represented the 35th district, which includes most of the city of Southfield. While in the House, she made history by being the first female floor leader in either House of the legislature. In 2002, she ran for the open State Senate seat being vacated by Senator Gary Peters. She won in a landslide in the heavily Democratic 14th district. She currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She is the vice-chair of the Economic Development, Small Business & Regulatory Reform Committee and the Families and Human Services Committee. She also serves on Government Operations and Health Policy Committees. There was early speculation that Jacobs might challenge Rep. Joe Knollenberg, but in the end decided against it and endorsed her predecessor in the State Senate, Gary Peters.

State Senator Gilda Jacobs has a strong reputation in the community and is Rumored to be interested in a run for Oakland County Clerk in 2008 against incumbent Ruth Johnson. "Let's just say I'm weighing my options," Jacobs said. "We hope it's going to be a good year for Democrats and it would be great to have a strong ticket. It'll be a very interesting year."

[edit] Personal

Senator Jacobs is married to John Jacobs and has two adult daughters, Jessica and Rachel. She lives in Huntington Woods. Jacobs recently endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. In 2003, the Democratic Leadership Council named her one of the 100 New Democrats to Watch, which is a list of up and coming Democratic politicians. She is a member of Triangle Foundation's Board of Advisors[3].

[edit] Electoral history

  • 2006 Election for the Michigan State Senate - 14th District
Name Percent
Gilda Jacobs (D)   73%
Tara Bellingar (R)   27%
  • 2002 Election for the Michigan State Senate - 14th District
Name Percent
Gilda Jacobs (D)   68%
Marc Wilkins (R)   32%
  • 2000 Election for the Michigan State House - 35th District
Name Percent
Gilda Jacobs (D)   75%
Aaron Sampson (R)   25%
  • 1998 Election for the Michigan State House - 35th District
Name Percent
Gilda Jacobs (D)   70%
Cecilio Maldonado (R)   30%

[edit] References

  1. ^ (2006) Michigan Manual 2005-2006. Lansing, MI: Legislative Council, State of Michigan, 129. Retrieved on 2007-06-29. 
  2. ^ Michigan Senate Democrats: About Gilda Jacobs (2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
  3. ^ Triangle Foundation

http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/011008/loc_n3001.shtml

[edit] External links