Paul H. Scott Explained

Paul H. Scott
State House:Michigan
District:51st
Term Start:January 1, 2009
Term End:November 18, 2011
Predecessor:Dave Robertson[1]
Successor:Joe Graves
Birth Date:1982
Party:Republican
Relations:Harold and R. Paula Scott, parents[2]

Paul Scott (born 1982) is an American politician from Grand Blanc, Michigan. A member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, Scott was recalled on November 8, 2011.

Early life

Scott graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 2000.[3] He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, studied in a master's of public policy program at Harvard University, and received a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Political life

Scott ran for the Michigan State House of Representatives in 2008. He first faced off against pilot James B. Swenor and businessman Vince Lorraine in the Republican primary[1] and won with 41 percent of the vote. He then stood against Michael J. Thorp in the general election[2] and defeated him.[4]

After one term as State Representative, Scott ran for the Secretary of State nomination in 2010 but lost the nomination at the Republican State Convention to Ruth Johnson.[5] In 2010, he won reelection to the 51st district of the Michigan House of Representatives, defeating Art Reyes.[6]

Scott was one of roughly 20 Michigan elected officials targeted for recall efforts in 2011, primarily by voters and interest groups opposed to changes in state education funding mechanisms, taxation of some retirement income and opposition to labor unions.[7] Voters and the Michigan Education Association,[3] opposed to Scott's actions as the chair of the House Education Committee, launched a recall effort against him. After recall supporters collected enough signatures to put the recall on the November 2011 election ballot in his district, Scott launched a legal challenge against the recall,[8] [9] but the appeal was denied unanimously by the Michigan Supreme Court.[10] [11] On November 8, 2011 Scott was recalled.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: Zaher. Julia. Republican candidates outline plans for the 51st District house. 14 April 2011. Flint Journal The Flint Journal. May 16, 2008.
  2. News: Longley. Kristin. Paul Scott: 'We showed a minority can win in any district'; Scott to face Michael J. Thorp for state House seat in November. 14 April 2011. Flint Journal. August 6, 2008.
  3. News: Thorne. Blake. Paul Scott recalled: The rise and fall of Michigan's Republican wunderkind. 18 November 2011. Flint Journal. November 9, 2011.
  4. News: November 2008 general election results for contested races in Flint Journal coverage area. 14 April 2011. The Flint Journal. November 5, 2008.
  5. News: Longley. Kristin. Paul Scott loses secretary of state nomination, says he's focusing on state House campaign. 18 November 2011. The Flint Journal. August 28, 2010.
  6. News: Raymer. Marjory. Genesee County election results at a glance. 14 April 2011. The Flint Journal. November 3, 2010.
  7. News: Rep. Paul Scott recall organizer: 'We will defeat him'. 13 November 2011. The Flint Journal. July 18, 2011.
  8. News: Scott files appeal in attempt to stave off recall effort . 13 November 2011. The Flint Journal. August 5, 2011.
  9. News: Paul Scott recall hangs on court decision. 13 November 2011. The Flint Journal. October 7, 2011.
  10. Web site: Recall vote against Rep. Paul Scott is back on | Detroit Free Press . freep.com . 2011-10-24.
  11. Web site: Recall Targeting Michigan Lawmaker Back on Ballot | WSLS 10 . .wsls.com . 2011-10-20 . 2011-10-24 .
  12. News: Bell. Dawson. Rep. Paul Scott recalled, concedes defeat. 18 November 2011. Detroit Free Press. Nov 8, 2011.