Adam Zemke
Adam Zemke (Democratic Party) was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 55. He assumed office on January 1, 2013. He left office on January 1, 2019.
Zemke (Democratic Party) ran for election for an at-large seat of the Michigan State Board of Education. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Zemke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Adam Zemke was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Zemke's career experience includes working as a entrepreneur. He earned a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from Michigan State University in 2005 and 2008, respectively.[1]
Zemke has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- Governor's MiSTEM Council
- Michigan Afterschool Partnership
- Michigan Education Corps
- Formula SAE (SAE International)
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Education Reform, Vice chair |
| • Elections and Ethics |
| • Financial Services |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Zemke served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Appropriations |
| • Education, Minority Vice Chair |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Zemke served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2012 |
|---|
| • Appropriations |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Michigan State Board of Education election, 2024
General election
General election for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan State Board of Education on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Nikki Snyder (R) | 24.5 | 2,507,968 | |
| ✔ | Tom McMillin (R) | 24.2 | 2,477,547 | |
| Theodore Jones (D) | 23.6 | 2,413,996 | ||
| Adam Zemke (D) | 22.6 | 2,311,379 | ||
| Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party) | 2.3 | 234,584 | ||
| Scott Boman (L) | 1.5 | 152,846 | ||
| Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.9 | 90,372 | ||
| Ted Gerrard (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.6 | 56,683 | ||
| Total votes: 10,245,375 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Theodore Jones and Adam Zemke advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan State Board of Education on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Theodore Jones (D) | |
| ✔ | Adam Zemke (D) | |
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Republican convention
Republican convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Incumbent Tom McMillin and incumbent Nikki Snyder advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan State Board of Education on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Tom McMillin (R) | |
| ✔ | Nikki Snyder (R) | |
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Green convention
Green convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
N. Jefferey Sparling advanced from the Green convention for Michigan State Board of Education on June 15, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | N. Jefferey Sparling (G) | |
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Scott Boman advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan State Board of Education on July 20, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Scott Boman (L) | |
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U.S. Taxpayers Party convention
U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Ted Gerrard and Christine Schwartz advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education on July 27, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Ted Gerrard (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | |
| ✔ | Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | |
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Working Class Party convention
Working Class Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Mary Anne Hering advanced from the Working Class Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education on June 23, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party) | |
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Zemke in this election.
2018
Adam Zemke was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.
2016
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016.
Incumbent Adam Zemke defeated Bob Baird in the Michigan House of Representatives District 55 general election.[2]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 55 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Adam Zemke Incumbent |
69.33% | 30,097 | |
| Republican | Bob Baird | 30.67% | 13,312 | |
| Total Votes | 43,409 | |||
| Source: Michigan Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Adam Zemke ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 55 Democratic primary.[3][4]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 55 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Adam Zemke Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Bob Baird ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 55 Republican primary.[3][4]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 55 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Bob Baird (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Incumbent Adam Zemke was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Leonard Burk was unopposed in the Republican primary. Zemke defeated Burk in the general election.[5][6][7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Zemke Incumbent |
67.9% | 19,090 | |
| Republican | Leonard Burk | 32.1% | 9,028 | |
| Total Votes | 28,118 | |||
2012
Zemke won election in the 2012 election for Michigan House of Representatives District 55. He defeated Andrea Brown-Harrison in the August 7 Democratic primary and defeated Owen Diaz (R) and David A. McMahon (G) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Zemke |
64.5% | 26,197 | |
| Republican | Owen Diaz | 32.1% | 13,029 | |
| Green | David McMahon | 3.5% | 1,415 | |
| Total Votes | 40,641 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Adam Zemke |
61.7% | 3,439 |
| Andrea Brown-Harrison | 38.3% | 2,133 |
| Total Votes | 5,572 | |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Adam Zemke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zemke's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
My name is Adam Zemke, and I am a small business owner, public servant and engineer.
I have been working to improve public education for over a decade, including six years as a state Representative, and in both the private sector leading Ford Motor Company’s STEAM education investments, as well as building the transformational reform agenda for a coalition of business, education, labor and philanthropic leaders. I have served on half a dozen education non-profit boards or leadership teams, and consult on education policy issues in Michigan and across the country.
When I was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, I worked across the aisle to create Michigan's STEM education network; MiSTEM, and on funding the many early literacy supports that educators and young people benefit from today. I helped create programs to fund GED testing through Michigan’s community colleges in order to reduce barriers to people pursuing post-secondary education. I did all of this as a member of the minority party that controlled zero branches of government. I have found that it’s actually quite possible for people who disagree on some things to still get good things done.
I am running for the state Board of Education to provide the leadership that is necessary to build a world-class education system; one that will prepare all students for success, one that educators aspire to work in, and one that all parents can feel engaged with.
- We must build a vision for how we make all Michigan schools to be world-class, and establish a guarantee to students and their parents that our state and districts will provide this level of experience to all public school children. In a world-class Michigan system, all students would have access to college and trades pathways for two years of high school and our K-12 system would be set up to prepare students to be ready for this opportunity. There would be universal access to before and after school programs, and families would have access to universal early childhood programs from birth to age 5.
- Michigan's system of public education includes over 800 local districts, 56 intermediate districts and two state departments. While it is important that the diversity and independence of such a large system be maintained, we should seek to align the structure to work cooperatively together to achieve the world-class vision I previously described. Further, we should Invest current and new funding that research says is necessary to pay for these opportunities, especially focusing on improving the culture and conditions for current and aspiring educators, as we are in the midst of a staff shortage.
- I believe that we need to create a special focus on improving special education, and addressing concerns that parents are bringing forth. Parents, students and educators - seemingly everywhere - are experiencing problems with special education services. As one of the last “pre-Proposal A” funding streams, coupled with service mandates through the Individuals with Disabilities Act, special education deeply and inequitably impacts local districts. I believe that we must make improvements focused on improving parental advocacy as part of the IEP and 504 processes, creating much greater equity of services from community to community, and putting a special focus on recruiting and retaining special education educators.
Public education
The state Board of Education (SBE) is charged by Michigan's constitution to provide leadership and general supervision over all public education, including adult education and instructional programs in state institutions, except as to institutions of higher education granting baccalaureate degrees. Additionally, the SBE shall serve as the general planning and coordinating body for all public education, including higher education, and shall advise the legislature as to the financial requirements in connection therewith.
There are numerous people - many friends and family - for things I have seen them do when no one is watching.
My partner in life, Kelly, for her strength to stand up and use her voice to help people she doesn't know.
My good friend, David Hecker, for challenging me - pushing me to be better - and for fighting by my side when he knows I'm right.
Trustworthiness. honesty and transparency. Willingness to do ones homework, be open to accepting that one can be wrong, and possessing the courage to admit it and change course.
Experience, vision, honesty, willingness to exercise political will in order to solve difficult problems.
1) To serve as a leader, visionary and advocate for building the public education system that families and children deserve, that our educators have earned, and that our state needs to grow in the 21st century.
2) To work cooperatively together with other policy makers at the state level, and educators at the intermediate and local levels, to support good implementation of policy, adjusting where necessary and providing resources to achieve fidelity.
3) To govern and oversee the Michigan Department of Education's role in the policymaking and policy implementing processes.
That I helped create a public education system where all kids are provided the opportunities that allow them to fulfill their dreams.
The Columbine, CO school shooting. I was in middle school.
Klave's Marina, Pinckney, MI: pumping gas and cleaning boats. It was seasonal - I think I worked there two seasons.
I believe the policymaking authority and power granted to the department by statute are among the most important tools we have to improve public education equitably across the state.
There are hundreds of statutes that charge the department with various (important) functions, and there are broad policymaking powers granted to the board directly. All are important tools in our toolbox.
Yes, I believe it is helpful, especially experiences pertaining to understanding how Michigan's system of public education functions, as well as those related to the role that state policymaking plays in this process.
Thoughtful and engaged leadership, willingness to learn and listen, the ability to craft a bold vision and hold oneself accountable to see it implemented.
How do you know that the train was here? (A - it left it's tracks)
The Michigan Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, the Michigan AFL-CIO, numerous Democratic and Republican current and former legislators.
I believe that government should be transparent and accountable to the people. In this regard, I support robust personal financial transparency laws, rules around disclosing conflicts of interest, and strong regulations to curtail the mixing of personal dealings with public service.
As of right now, I am unaware of any changes being proposed.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Zemke completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
2012
On his website, Zemke voiced support for increased investment in transportation, Medicare, autism and mental health treatment, green industry, urban revitalization, and education. He expressed himself as being pro-choice, in support of same-sex marriage, and in opposition of denying benefits to same-sex partners.[11]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Michigan scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2018
In 2018, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 10 through December 31.
- Legislators and candidates are scored on their economy policy views.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on a number of bills selected by the editor of MIRS, a state capitol newsletter.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to conservative issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business in Michigan: 2017-2018 voting record
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 11 through December 31.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 13 through December 31.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 17.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 8 through December 31.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 9 to December 31.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
When he served in the state House, Zemke was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.[12]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Michigan State Board of Education |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 23, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 official general election results," accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Candidate Listing," accessed April 22, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Results," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," accessed May 27, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing," accessed September 8, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Department of State, "2012 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," accessed June 6, 2012
- ↑ Associated Press, "Michigan - Summary Vote Results," accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ Adam Zemke for State Representative, "Issues," accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedabout
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rick Olson (R) |
Michigan House of Representatives District 55 2013 – 2018 |
Succeeded by Rebekah Warren (D) |
 |
State of Michigan Lansing (capital) |
|---|---|
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