Democrat David Rutledge chats with a supporter at a Washtenaw County Democratic Party campaign office in Ypsilanti on Monday.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

Democrat David Rutledge will represent eastern Washtenaw County in the Michigan House of Representatives for the next two years after winning a four-way race in the 54th District.

With all precincts reporting, Rutledge won with 18,146 votes (61 percent), while Republican Richard Deitering trailed with 9,708 (33 percent).

Independent David Palmer, who waged an aggressive campaign, pulled 1,363 votes (4.6 percent), while Clifford McKinney, of the U.S. Taxpayers Party, had 451 votes (1.5 percent).

The 54th District includes the city of Ypsilanti and Augusta, Salem, Superior and Ypsilanti townships in Washtenaw County.

David Rutledge

Rutledge, a Washtenaw County road commissioner and longtime public servant, emerged victorious in six-way Democratic primary race back in August. After Tuesday's win, he now is poised to replace state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, in the House.

Rutledge vows to work on moving Michigan's economy forward through job creation and by offering creative incentives to businesses. He also says he wants to work on improving public education with a focus on early childhood readiness to learn.

Other items on Rutledge's agenda include increasing access to health care, reforming the state's tax system and protecting Michigan's natural resources.

Rutledge said he believes his public service experience in the areas of township, county and state government and higher education provide a unique set of credentials that will allow him to be effective immediately as the 54th District's state representative.

Rutledge served as Superior Township's supervisor from 1980 to 1988. He also spent 1986 to 1988 as deputy director of the research staff for the Michigan House Democratic Caucus.

He served 30 years on the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission and has spent the last six years on the Washtenaw County Road Commission and the last 13 years on the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees.

Rutledge raised $24,151, plus another $9,930 in in-kind contributions, while spending about $35,000, seeking election this year, campaign finance reports show.

Among Rutledge's largest contributions were $1,500 from the Ann Arbor-based 21st Century Club, $1,000 from Michigan Education Association PAC, $1,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC, $2,000 from the County Road Association of Michigan, $500 from the Michigan Realtors PAC, $1,000 from Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and $500 from Washtenaw Community College President Larry Whitworth.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.