Gretchen Driskell - Ann Arbor

Gretchen Driskell, a Democrat from Saline, is the state representative for the 52nd District. She was first elected in November 2012 to a two-year term, and was re-elected in 2014 for a term ending Jan. 1, 2017. The district covers northern and western Washtenaw County, including Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Whitmore Lake, and Manchester.

Gretchen Driskell.In February 2015, Driskell announced her 2016 candidacy for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, held by Republican incumbent Tim Walberg. The 7th Congressional District covers Jackson, Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties.

In her role in the state House during her first term, Driskell was a member of the Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. During her second term, she sits on the Agriculture and Communications and Technology Committee, and serves as minority vice chair on the Elections Committee.

Before her election to the state house of representatives, she was the first female mayor of Saline and its longest-serving mayor to date, serving 14 years. She was first elected to the Saline city council in 1992 and served six years as a councilmember. Saline's council and mayoral races are nonpartisan.

She previously has served as vice president and board member of the Michigan Municipal League, as vice chair for the SEMCOG board (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), as chair of the SEMCOG Transportation Advisory Council, as chair of the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS), and as chair of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Transportation Funding Task Force.

Driskell is a CPA and has worked as a real estate agent with Swisher Commercial. She has three children: Ryan, Matthew and Marielle.

Timeline

Feb. 9, 2015: Formally announces her candidacy for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, currently held by Republican incumbent Tim Walberg.

Nov. 4, 2014: Wins general election for a second two-year term as Michigan State Representative for District 52. Defeats Republican John Hochstetler with 20,849 votes (56.03%) compared to 16,265 votes (43.71%) for Hochstetler. Driskell ran unopposed in the August 2014 Democratic primary.

March 2014: Is named "Legislator of the Year" by the Michigan National Organization for Women.

Nov. 6, 2012: Wins general election against Republican incumbent Mark Ouimet for her first two-year term as Michigan State Representative for District 52. Driskell gets 26,647 votes (52.86%) compared to 23,610 votes (46.83%) for Ouimet. Driskell ran unopposed in the August 2012 Democratic primary.

Nov. 2, 2010: Wins election for her seventh two-year term as Saline mayor, running unopposed.

Nov. 4, 2008: Wins election for her sixth two-year term as Saline mayor, running unopposed.

January 2008: Is appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the governor's Transportation Funding Task Force. Serves as chair of the advisory committee.

Nov. 7, 2006: Wins election for her fifth two-year term as Saline mayor, running unopposed.

2006: Begins working as a real estate agent with Swisher Commercial.

Nov. 2, 2004: Wins election for her fourth two-year term as Saline mayor, defeating Dean Girbach with 3,022 votes (66.14%) compared to 1,536 votes (33.62%) for Girbach. The race is nonpartisan.

Nov. 5, 2002: Wins election for her third two-year term as Saline mayor, defeating Daniel L. Krus with 2,128 votes (65.28%) compared to 1,126 votes (34.54%) for Krus. The race is nonpartisan.

Nov. 7, 2000: Wins election for her second two-year term as Saline mayor, defeating Mary L. Hess with 2,402 votes (63.39%) compared to 1,387 votes (36.61%) for Hess. The race is nonpartisan.

Nov. 3, 1998: Wins election for her first two-year term as Saline mayor, defeating Rick Kuss with 1,624 votes (60.53%) compared to 1,059 votes (39.47%) for Kuss. The race is nonpartisan.

Nov. 5, 1996: Wins re-election to a third two-year term on the Saline city council. The race is nonpartisan.

Nov. 8, 1994: Wins re-election to a second two-year term on the Saline city council. The race is nonpartisan.

Nov. 3, 1992: Wins election to Saline city council for her first two-year term. The race is nonpartisan.

1988: Moves to Saline.

1987: Earns an MBA from George Washington University School of Business.

1985-1988: Works as an assistant controller at KPMG's Washington D.C. office.

1980: Graduates from Lynchburg College (Lynchburg, Virginia) with an undergraduate degree in accounting.