Julie Plawecki

Julie Plawecki (August 27, 1961 – June 25, 2016) was an American politician from Michigan who represented the 11th District—which comprises the cities of Garden City and Inkster, and parts of Dearborn Heights, Livonia and Westland—in the Michigan House of Representatives after being elected in November 2014 for the Democratic Party.^[1][2]

Julie Plawecki
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 11th district
In office January 1, 2015 – June 25, 2016
Preceded by	David Knezek
Succeeded by	Lauren Plawecki
Personal details
Born	(1961-08-27)August 27, 1961 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	June 25, 2016(2016-06-25) (aged 54) Smith Rock State Park, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mark Plawecki
Children	3, including Lauren Plawecki
Residence	Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Alma mater	Oakland University
Website	Official website

Biography

Plawecki attended Warren Public Schools and Michigan State University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakland University with a dual major in chemistry and general science, and obtained her professional teaching certificate from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.^[1][3][4] Plawecki lived in Dearborn Heights with her husband, Mark Plawecki, where they raised their three daughters.^[1][3][4]

A former medical technologist, Plawecki taught science, math, and religion at both the secondary and elementary school levels. Prior to her election, she worked at St. Robert Bellarmine, a Catholic school in Redford,^[3][4] and also coached the school’s Science Olympiad team. She was a member of the National Science Teachers Association and the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics.^[1][5][6]

In the 2014 Michigan House of Representatives elections, Plawecki successfully ran for the seat to represent Michigan's 11th House of Representatives district. Her eldest daughter, a 2012 Michigan State University graduate and 2015 Masters candidate at Yale University, forwent a summer’s paid internship at Yale to become manager of Plawecki's campaign.^[5][6]

Plawecki died on June 25, 2016, while hiking in Smith Rock State Park in Oregon with her daughters.^[7] She was hiking and suddenly collapsed—attempts to revive her proved unsuccessful and she was then pronounced dead. It is presumed she suffered a heart attack.^[8] Her daughter Lauren Plawecki later won a special election to finish her term in the state legislature.^[9]

Electoral history

Michigan's 11th state House of Representatives District General Election, 2014^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Julie Plawecki	16,252	69.8	-2.0
	Republican	Jim Rhoades	7,027	30.2	+2.0
	Democratic hold

References

1. . Michigan House Democrats. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
2. "2014 Live Michigan election results: State House Districts 1-110". MLive. November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
3. "Plawecki vs. Rhoades in 11th State Rep District". hometownlife.com. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
4. . Michigan Voters Guide. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
5. . Friends of Julie Plawecki. Archived from the original on 2014-11-08. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
6. . The Arab American News. April 4, 2014. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
7. Stafford, Katrease. "Michigan Rep. Julie Plawecki dead at 54". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
8. Oregonian/OregonLive, Jim Ryan | The (June 28, 2016). "Michigan legislator collapses, dies of presumed heart attack while hiking on Smith Rock". oregonlive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
9. "2016 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Department of State. November 28, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
10. "2014 Michigan Election Results 103rd District Representative in State Legislature 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Secretary of State. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.

External links

• Official website