Mark Slavens
Encyclopedia
Mark Slavens is an American politician from Canton
, Michigan
. He is currently a Circuit Court Judge.
Slavens attained a BGS from the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor. He received his Juris Doctor
from the University of Toledo
. He graduated from Ann Arbor Huron High School in Michigan.
. He filled the unexpired term of the Honorable Maggie Drake, who stepped down effective January 1, 2007. Drake, who had been re-elected during the 2004 general election, would have otherwise served until 2010. As a result, Slavens' term will be up for election during the 2008 general election for the remainder of the term.
In 2005, national attention was drawn to the district after the School Board voted to sell the naming rights of school buildings and athletics facilities to commercial interests.
in Michigan's 7th State Senate district. He was unopposed in the August 2006 Democratic primary and won the nomination. He opposed incumbent Republican Bruce Patterson
.
Slavens won the cities of Belleville
, Flat Rock
, Plymouth
, Rockwood
, Trenton
and Woodhaven
. He also won the townships of Brownstown
, Sumpter
and Van Buren
. Slavens and Patterson exactly tied in Gibraltar, Michigan
.
Although Patterson won in Canton Township, Slavens took 48% of the vote in that community. Most Democratic candidates, especially for state legislative seats, have never come close to that margin.
His parents, Tom and Cora Slavens, were librarians by profession. Tom Slavens is a retired Professor of Information at the University of Michigan
in Ann Arbor.
Canton Township, Michigan
The Charter Township of Canton, usually referred to as Canton, is an affluent charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The commuter town is located west of Detroit and east of Ann Arbor. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 90,173, making it Michigan's...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He is currently a Circuit Court Judge.
Slavens attained a BGS from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
at Ann Arbor. He received his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
. He graduated from Ann Arbor Huron High School in Michigan.
Wayne County Third Circuit Court
On April 23, 2007, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm appointed Slavens to the Third Circuit Court of Wayne CountyWayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
. He filled the unexpired term of the Honorable Maggie Drake, who stepped down effective January 1, 2007. Drake, who had been re-elected during the 2004 general election, would have otherwise served until 2010. As a result, Slavens' term will be up for election during the 2008 general election for the remainder of the term.
Plymouth-Canton School Board
Slavens is Vice President of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (PCCS) Board of Education. He previously served as President of the School Board for two years. He was first elected to the School Board in 1999 and elected to a second term with over 75% of the vote in 2003.In 2005, national attention was drawn to the district after the School Board voted to sell the naming rights of school buildings and athletics facilities to commercial interests.
2006 State Senate Race
Slavens was the Democratic nominee for State SenateMichigan Senate
The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....
in Michigan's 7th State Senate district. He was unopposed in the August 2006 Democratic primary and won the nomination. He opposed incumbent Republican Bruce Patterson
Bruce Patterson (Michigan politician)
Bruce Patterson is a Republican member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 7th district since 2003. His district covers parts of Wayne County....
.
Slavens won the cities of Belleville
Belleville, Michigan
Belleville is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,991 at the 2010 census. It is the sister city of Machynlleth, Wales. Belleville is southeast of Ann Arbor and southwest of Detroit.-Geography:...
, Flat Rock
Flat Rock, Michigan
- Racial makeup :As of the census of 2000, there were 8,488 people, 3,181 households, and 2,306 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,266.9 per square mile . There were 3,291 housing units at an average density of 491.2 per square mile...
, Plymouth
Plymouth, Michigan
Plymouth is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,132 at the 2010 census. The City of Plymouth is an enclave completely surrounded by Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan.-Geography:...
, Rockwood
Rockwood, Michigan
Rockwood is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,289 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.- National Register of Historic Places :...
, Trenton
Trenton, Michigan
Trenton is a small city in Wayne County in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 18,853...
and Woodhaven
Woodhaven, Michigan
Woodhaven is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,875. It is part of a collection of 18 suburban communities known as Downriver.-History:...
. He also won the townships of Brownstown
Brownstown Township, Michigan
Brownstown Charter Township is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 30,627 at the 2010 census. It is part of the collection of communities known as Downriver. Brownstown's three separate segments are due to the incorporation of the cities of Flat...
, Sumpter
Sumpter Township, Michigan
Sumpter Township is a general law township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 9,549.-Geography:...
and Van Buren
Van Buren Township, Michigan
Van Buren Charter Township is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 28,821 at the 2010 census. It is home to Willow Run Airport, Metro Detroit's second busiest airport.-Geography:...
. Slavens and Patterson exactly tied in Gibraltar, Michigan
Gibraltar, Michigan
Gibraltar is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,656 at the 2010 census. It is located on the Detroit River directly south of, and adjacent to, Trenton.-Geography:...
.
Although Patterson won in Canton Township, Slavens took 48% of the vote in that community. Most Democratic candidates, especially for state legislative seats, have never come close to that margin.
Family
Slavens is married to the former Dian McCabe. They have three children.His parents, Tom and Cora Slavens, were librarians by profession. Tom Slavens is a retired Professor of Information at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in Ann Arbor.
Quotes
- "I think the people supported my message for solving the many problems of the state. What I'm really proud of is that this proves grass roots works." (Plymouth Observer. November 16, 2006.)