May Fundraiser Supports Local Candidates
Congressman Thad McCotter
Headlines 2007 ERC-PAC Dinner
In a wide-ranging discussion of national issues, U.S. Congressman Thaddeus G. McCotter of Livonia spoke May 30 to the annual Eastside Republican Club P.A.C. dinner at Sindbad's in Detroit.
He addressed the global war on terror, immigration, and tax policies. McCotter's grasp of national and international issues was evident as he answered the far-ranging questions posed by his audience.
Lita M. McKeehan, chairman of the Eastside Republican Club Political Action Committee, said that proceeds from the P.A.C. event would be used to support local GOP candidates.
In addition to McKeehan, P.A.C. committee members include John Stempfle, Ed Joseph, Tom McCleary, Linda Solterisch, Carol Hackleman, Jeffrey Neilson, and Alice Baetz. The ERC chair, Julie Corbett, serves as ex officio member of the group.
In addition to McKeehan, P.A.C. committee members include John Stempfle, Ed Joseph, Tom McCleary, Linda Solterisch, Carol Hackleman, Jeffrey Neilson, and Alice Baetz. The ERC chair, Julie Corbett, serves as ex officio member of the group.
Congressman McCotter represents the 11th District of Michigan, a suburban district of Detroit that includes portions of Western Oakland and Western Wayne Counties. As a 30-year resident of Livonia, McCotter has represented portions of the 11th District for over a decade, first as a Schoolcraft Community College trustee, a Wayne County commissioner, a Michigan State senator, and now as the District's U.S. Representative.
In November 2006, McCotter was elected by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the Republican House Policy Committee, a leadership position once held by former Pres. Gerald Ford. McCotter also serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Budget Committee.
Elected in 2002 to the 108th Congress, McCotter serves on the International Relations Committee, Committee on Small Business and the Budget Committee. In addition, Thaddeus' leadership experience and legislative record led to his appointment as an assistant majority whip.
In the Michigan Senate, Thaddeus served as the assistant majority floor leader, and earned a reputation as a tax-cutting, fiscal conservative. In 1999, the Senate majority leader appointed McCotter to chair the Senate law revision task force where his work helped to repeal over 50 arcane Michigan laws. Prior to becoming a State Senator, Thaddeus was elected in 1992 to the Wayne County Commission, where he was the driving force behind an amendment that required approval by two-thirds of commissioners to put a new tax on the ballot, and 60% voter approval to pass the tax.
Thaddeus has received numerous awards for his leadership and legislative achievements, including the "Legislator of the Year" award from the Police Officers' Association of Michigan, the "Municipal Achievement" award from the Michigan Municipal League, the "Outstanding Michigander" award from the Michigan Jaycees, and Crain's Detroit Business named McCotter to its 1995 "40 Under 40" list of prominent local figures under 40 years of age.
A graduate of Redford's Catholic Central High School, McCotter was a first team all-Catholic football player. In 1987, he graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of Detroit where he later earned a law degree before being admitted to the bar in 1991.
McCotter is married to the former Rita Michel, a registered nurse, and together they have two sons, George and Timothy, and one daughter, Emilia. Although McCotter and his family live in Livonia, he commutes to the nation's Capitol each week to serve the people of his district.
