Andrew Coulouris Explained

Andy Coulouris
State House:Michigan
District:95th
Term Start:January 1, 2007
Term End:April 23, 2010
Predecessor:Carl M. Williams
Successor:Stacy Erwin Oakes
Office2:Member of the Saginaw City Council
Term Start2:February 11, 2002
Term End2:September 12, 2005
Birth Date:10 August 1978
Birth Place:Saginaw, Michigan
Birthname:Andrew James Coulouris
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Natasha
Children:Alex
Alma Mater:University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan

Andrew James Coulouris (born August 10, 1978) is a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He is a former Democratic Party member of the Michigan State House of Representatives from the 95th District, located in Saginaw County, which includes the city of Saginaw, Buena Vista Township, Spaulding Township, and Bridgeport Township.

Early life

Coulouris graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1996. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He and his wife Natasha have been married since 2002 and have a child, Alex, who was born in 2006, and Mia who was born in 2010. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Saginaw.

Political career

City of Saginaw

Coulouris served as a member of the Saginaw City Council, having been appointed on February 11, 2002 to fill the remaining term of a seat vacated by another council member. He was subsequently elected to the city council in the 2003 election for a full four-year term, but he resigned before completing his term on September 12, 2005. He also served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Saginaw County, although the position is not an elected position.

State representative

In the August 8, 2006 Democratic primary election he was the leading candidate among five candidates having received a plurality with 39.18% of the votes. In the general election held on November 7, 2006, Coulouris defeated Republican Joel Wilson, receiving 80.94% of the votes cast in the 95th District, a district heavily favoring candidates from the Democratic Party. His first term ended on January 1, 2009.[1]

In the August 5, 2008 Democratic Primary election he defeated Terry W. Sangster, a former County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for State Representative, receiving 77.56% of the votes cast in the 95th district. Coulouris defeated Republican Ted Rosingana in the November 4, 2008 General Election, receiving 85.47% of the votes cast in the 95th District. Had he not resigned, his second term would have ended on January 1, 2011.

As a state representative, Coulouris served on the Banking and Financial Services, Health Policy, Judiciary, and Tax Policy Committees. He was the Chair of the Banking and Financial Services Committee. Coulouris was also named 2009 Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Municipal League.[2]

Resignation from office

Under Michigan's legislative term limits, Coulouris was eligible for one additional term as a State Representative. As opposed to running for reelection in 2010, Coulouris instead announced that he would not seek a third term, citing the desire to spend more time with his family.[3] However, it was later revealed that Coulouris took a job as a lobbyist for Dow Corning in Washington, D.C., and he resigned his position as State Representative on April 30, 2010.[4] This left the 95th District without representation for a period of over 5 months, until the special election of Stacy Erwin Oakes in November 2010.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(f04gkz55ugvvam33b0oc00qt))/documents/2009-2010/michiganmanual/2009-MM-p0204-p0204.pdf 2009-2010 Michigan Manual: State Representative Andy Coulouris
  2. Web site: Coulouris Named Legislator of the Year by Michigan Municipal League | News | Michigan House Democrats . 095.housedems.com . 2009-10-07 . 2010-01-17 .
  3. Web site: State Rep. Coulouris Will Not Seek Re-Election - News Story - WNEM Saginaw . Wnem.com . 2007-06-28 . 2010-01-17 .
  4. Web site: Coulouris will leave Legislature early to work as Dow Corning lobbyist in Washington, D.C.. Mlive.com . 2010-02-03 . 2011-01-25.
  5. Web site: Erwin Oakes earns state House 95th District seat.. Mlive.com . 2010-11-03 . 2011-01-26.