David Coulter (politician) explained

David Coulter
Office:Oakland County Executive
Termstart:August 19, 2019[1]
Predecessor:L. Brooks Patterson
Office1:Mayor of Ferndale, Michigan
Term Start1:January 2011
Term End1:August 19, 2019
Predecessor1:Craig Covey
Successor1:Dan Martin[2]
Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Party:Democrat
Alma Mater:Michigan State University
Harvard University
Residence:Ferndale, Michigan
Website:http://www.friendsofdavecoulter.com

David W. Coulter is an American politician serving as the County Executive of Oakland County, Michigan since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Coulter previously served as the mayor of Ferndale, Michigan from 2011 to 2019, and as a member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners from 2002 to 2010.

Personal life and education

Coulter was raised in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and attended St. Joan of Arc Grade School in the city. He graduated from Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods, Michigan. Coulter earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. In 2007, Coulter completed Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett Foundation LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.[3] He is openly gay.[4]

Career

Coulter has worked as a civil engineering draftsman and school teacher. He was employed for thirteen years by Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, served as the executive director of the Michigan AIDS Fund [3] and director of external affairs for the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

Coulter was elected to the Oakland County Commission in 2002, defeating a 20-year incumbent by 86 votes. He served four terms on the Commission (2002-2010), also serving as Democratic minority leader.[5] He left the seat to run for a Michigan Senate seat in the 14th district in 2010, but lost in the primary to Vincent Gregory.[5] [6] Coulter was appointed Mayor of Ferndale in January 2011 after his predecessor resigned.[6] Coulter was then elected to the two-year position in November 2011. He was re-elected in November 2013,[7] defeating his predecessor and two other challengers.[8] He ran unopposed to win re-election in November 2015 and 2017.

Coulter created the Mayor's Business Council in 2012, helping lead to a period of increased business and economic growth in the city.[9] [10]

In 2013, Coulter, along with Congressman Sander Levin, undertook a challenge in which they spent less than $4.50 a day on food. They did so to protest cuts to food stamps.[11] The following year, Coulter became the first mayor in Michigan to perform same-sex marriages.[12]

On August 16, 2019, the Oakland County Commission voted to appoint Coulter to serve out the remainder of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's term as County Executive following Patterson's August 3, 2019 death from pancreatic cancer. Coulter ran for a full term in the position in the November 2020 election,[13] and defeated county treasurer Andy Meisner in the Democratic primary. He then won the November general election over former Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall, becoming the first elected Democratic county executive.

Coulter is seeking a second full term as county executive; he will face Republican businessman Nik Gjonaj in the 2024 election.[14]

External links

https://www.friendsofdavecoulter.com [Dave Coulter website]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hall . Christina . David Coulter sworn in as Oakland County executive . Detroit Free Press . en . August 19, 2019.
  2. Web site: Koury . Mike . Martin to serve as Ferndale mayor until end of year . www.candgnews.com . C & G Newspapers . en . September 10, 2019 . At its Sept. 9 meeting, the council selected Councilman Dan Martin to serve as mayor for the next four months, while a new mayor will be elected in November and sworn in at the beginning of January..
  3. Web site: David Coulter. Vote Michigan. 14 September 2013.
  4. News: Lacy. eric. Ferndale's Dave Coulter, Michigan's only openly gay mayor, weighs in on state's same-sex marriage ban. 14 September 2013. mlive.com. 16 October 2013.
  5. News: Endorsements: State Senate in Oakland County districts. 14 September 2013. Detroit Free Press. 22 July 2010.
  6. News: Adolphus. Emmell Derra. Dave Coulter Sworn in as Ferndale's Mayor. 14 September 2013. Ferndale Patch. 15 February 2011.
  7. News: Ellis. Leslie. Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter Announces Re-Election Bid. 14 September 2013. Ferndale Patch. 7 May 2013.
  8. News: Laitner. Bill. Michigan's first gay mayor says he'll duel state's second one in Ferndale election. 14 September 2013. Detroit Free Press. 12 August 2013.
  9. Web site: Schrader . Jessica . Mayor's Council Aims to Promote Business Growth in Ferndale - Government - Ferndale, MI Patch . Ferndale.patch.com . 28 June 2012 . 4 December 2013.
  10. News: Pinho. Kirk. Ferndale's biz-friendly moves attract companies, spur expansions. 14 September 2013. Crain's Detroit Business. 17 April 2014.
  11. News: Kavanaugh. Cathy. Ferndale Mayor David Coulter, Congressman Sander Levin take $4.50-a-day meal challenge. 14 September 2013. Oakland Press News. 3 September 2013. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223850/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20130611/ferndale-mayor-david-coulter-congressman-sander-levin-take-450-a-day-meal-challenge. dead.
  12. Web site: Birmingham couple takes vows in Oakland County's first same-sex marriage . 2015-06-09 . 2015-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150701070501/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20140322/birmingham-couple-takes-vows-in-oakland-countys-first-same-sex-marriage . dead .
  13. Web site: Democrat Dave Coulter, mayor of Ferndale, named Oakland County executive. Detroit Free Press. en. 2019-08-16.
  14. Web site: Aimery . Jakkar . Snabes . Anne . 2024-04-19 . Oakland GOP announces new county executive candidate ahead of deadline . . en-US.