Through the primary election on August 2, on every Tuesday and Thursday on the MLC Blog we will be highlighting races for which the primary is the key race due to the voter base.  Candidate’s website and professional information is listed when available.

District Overview

The 53^rd House District is located in Washtenaw County and includes a portion of Ann Arbor and a portion of the Townships of Ann Arbor, Pittsfield and Scio.  The district has a 78% Democratic base.

Commentary

Current Representative Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) can’t run again due to term limits, leaving the seat open.  Given the strong Democratic base, the winner of the primary in August will coast to an election victory in November.  Democratic candidate Yousef Rabhi is serving his third term on the Washtenaw County Board.  He is a strong campaigner who won his current term with 82% of the vote.  He has racked up a number of key endorsements including Representative Irwin and Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), who represents the district.  His primary challenger, Steven Kwasny, has publically stated that he won’t accept donations or endorsements for his campaign.

Democratic Candidates:

• Steven Kwasny – Student at Eastern Michigan University.
• Yousef Rabhi – Washtenaw County Commissioner, volunteer coordinator at University of Michigan.
  • Endorsements – Senator David Knezek; Representatives Adam Zemke, David Rutledge, Jeremy Moss, Stephanie Chang, Robert Wittenberg, and Kristy Pagan; Washtenaw County Sherriff and Clerk; Ann Arbor Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem; John Austin, State Board of Education President; Ypsilanti Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem; Saline Mayor, Ann Arbor Board of Realtors; County Road Association of Michigan; Michigan AFL-CIO; Michigan Sierra Club; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

Republican Candidates:

• Samuel Bissell – Director of Party Development at the Michigan Republican Party.

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