Husband-and-wife Conan Smith and Rebekah Warren file to run for office in Washtenaw County
State Rep. Rebekah Warren and her husband, Washtenaw County Commissioner Conan Smith, visited the county clerk’s office today to file their paperwork to enter into the 2010 election season.
“We’ve done a fair amount of paperwork together here,” quipped Smith, recalling the couple’s applications for passports one year and their marriage license another.
Conan Smith and Rebekah Warren file to run for office today inside the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Warren, a Democrat, is running for the state Senate’s 18th District - a seat being vacated by Liz Brater due to term limits. Smith, also a Democrat, is seeking his fourth term on the county board.
The two have become central figures in local politics, which they tongue-in-cheek refer to as the “family business.” Together they are the third generation of activists to represent Washtenaw County. Smith’s mother, Alma Wheeler Smith, serves in the state House and is currently running for governor. Smith's aunt, Nancy Francis, is a county judge, and Al Wheeler, his grandfather, was Ann Arbor's mayor in the 1970s.
Warren faces off against Pam Byrnes in the Aug. 3 Democratic primary. Smith, D-10th District, faces off against Danielle Mack in the primary.
Warren said Michigan needs to have a more vibrant and progressive vision for prosperity and a team of lawmakers capable of carrying it out.
“We may live in a politically divided world,” she said. "But I find we agree on more than we initially think, regardless of whether we are Democrats or Republican, urban or rural. Transforming Michigan is going to take leaders who can focus on what can be achieved rather than on our differences.”
Rebekah Warren
Warren said she has used that philosophy to craft major pieces of law in her tenure at the House. The Great Lakes Compact and its associated water withdrawal regulations were called the most significant environmental policy in 40 years and the most important accomplishment of the Legislature the year they passed.
Warren said she also has built working majorities across party lines on economic development issues, tax policy and civil rights measures.
"I have actually been pretty successful in two terms in the House at passing some very comprehensive bipartisan legislation," she said. "And in this climate in Lansing, that doesn't happen very often. So I've been very proud of my record of accomplishment of working with fellow Democrats, with Republicans, with members of the House and Senate in passing some pretty sweeping legislation."
Warren said she wants to continue that work in the Senate, where she says many of her bills have gone to die.
"For every package of bills I sent to the Senate that ended up going to the governor's desk for her signature, there were two or three that have lingered in the Senate and just gone to committee to die," she said. "So I really am looking forward to getting into the Senate, rolling my sleeves up over there, and getting to continue working on the important pieces of legislation that haven't seen the light of day over there."
Conan Smith
Smith, executive director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, said his reelection bid is focused on maintaining the county’s track record for innovation in service delivery and administration. He chaired the county’s budget process this year, which focused on trimming more than $30 million in expenditures.
"Without a doubt, the most important thing we did was pass a balanced budget that protected a huge number of jobs at the county," he said. "We had a $30 million deficit that we were dealing with, and we only ended up losing 30 positions, and I'm very proud of that. We made some big programmatic shifts, but we also worked hand in glove with our labor team to realize some pretty significant reductions in compensation and benefits that they took voluntarily, which was just incredible.
"The whole process over the past year of working with the leaders of the county and the staff of the county showed what a passionate community we have, that they care so much about what we can deliver as an organization. It was definitely the proudest moment in public service for me."
Next year, Smith indicated he would be focused on county tax policy and revenue generation, citing the significant opportunity Washtenaw County has to garner more federal support for its flagship programs.
He said the county's hard work is not over.
"The county's been through some pretty tough times over the last couple of years as the economy slowed down and I really enjoyed the process of restructuring and working with the team there to realize the vision that we still have even though our resources are reduced," he said. "And while we made a lot of progress, there's still a lot more to go and the budget hole for the coming cycle is actually just as big, so I want to make sure that the strategies that we've adopted are followed through on and I want to spend a lot of time looking at new ways that we can address the upcoming challenge."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Danielle Mack
Mon, May 10, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
I agree with a majority of the comments said here Mr. Smith. You need to be much more careful when addressing the public and the press. Our voting public are our bosses, not our staff, or employees. ~Danielle Mack 4 County Commissioner
Conan Smith
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
Just a few notes of clarification... I did recommend reducing the time of public comment from 5 to 3 minutes. This reduced the total time allotted to an individual on a given evening to 16 minutes. I explained at the Chronicle's website at the time (available at http://annarborchronicle.com/2009/01/08/sizemore-elected-to-lead-county-commission/?scrollTo=comment-5448) that I have a different philosophy about public engagement that I feel is is more fulsome and effective. I outlined a strategy for better public involvement and implemented it. During this session's budget process, we provided more information in a more timely way and more avenues for people to share their thoughts. I feel like it was tremendously more interactive than in previous years. It can probably be improved, though, and I welcome suggestions. That comment about citizens being treated like staff at our meetings is regularly taken out of context. In the same article referenced above, Mary Morgan reported what I said, but didn't expand fully on its meaning (it's a long meeting and of course not every detail gets into a story). At our meetings, staff have extensive and unlimited opportunities to address the board members. I explained this in the debate, saying, "I dont think that you should be precluded from having a longer period of time if there something that is of serious relevance to what were having before us." Bad grammar aside, what I wanted was the same right for citizens that we afford to staff. You can view that meeting at http://video.ewashtenaw.org/boc/showtime.pl?2009-01-07-BOC=video and the discussion starts at 53:45. Last, regarding the travel expenditure: this too seems to be out of context. Nobody has ever asked me about this expense, choosing instead to interpret a single line on a FOIA'd credit card bill to their own benefit. I have never -- not on my honeymoon or on any occasion -- stayed in an $800 an night hotel room. That bill was for the food, lodging and registration expenses of a multi-day public policy conference. Incidentally, I not only learned a lot at that event, but I also secured funding for a contract that will result in $80,000 of grant revenue for Washtenaw this year, saving one or two people's jobs. Moreover, no constituent has ever asked me to detail my charges to the County (which I'd gladly do), choosing to use the FOIA process instead of contacting me directly. I'd probably take the same route, too, to be certain I had comprehensive documentation from a dispassionate source. I, however, would certainly ask for details about an anomaly before asserting my interpretation and impugning the character of another. I hope this adds some context to the concerns articulated above. I appreciate the questions and (most of) the comments. Please feel free to email me at smithco@ewashtenaw.org if you want any further information.
solves
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
Rep. Warren is in her second term (not first as stated in the comments) and though she does sit next to her mother-in-law, they do not always vote the same way. As a first term lawmaker, Rep. Warren was given the priviledge of serving as chair of the Great Lakes and Environment Committee (a true honor). Under her leadership we have seen great strides made in protecting the Great Lakes and eliminating toxins in our environment. She works across the aisle and chambers to find solutions and ensure that we leave a better planet to future generations. Check out her record and vote!
ILJ
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 9:19 a.m.
I think Ann Arbor.com is missing out on some advertising revenue here. They should charge candidates for these profiles. They are much more like advertising/PR than journalism.
your-kidding
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 8:22 p.m.
Amazing what a little research will do. Conan says his "family business" comment was meant as a joke. And yet... As chair of the Ways and Means Committee, he reduced customer -- citizen -- input from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. And was quoted in a newspaper -- referred to only as the Press -- that he "believes citizens should be treated more like staff..." Citizen comments before this committee generally deal with how their tax dollars might be best spent. But as his customers, Conan does not believe that they have that right, unless, perhaps, they say something that he's willing to hear. But Conan doesn't need citizens' input on how to spend their money. He believes $800 per night hotel rooms funded by taxpayers are his due. Try to find out how this county commissioner spends his expense account, and you'll find you must file a FOIA brief. He doesn't believe he should be accountable to his "staff." As for his wife Rebekah Warren? Who knows. She didn't produce much in her single term as state representative, but with Conan as her mentor, why should she have to? Luckily for her, she sat right next to her mother-in-law in the House chamber.
shepard145
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 6:39 p.m.
Conan Smith is a good guy. Vote for him.
spartan23
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
How can these people relate to the sacrifices working families are making when their 'family business' is being a politician? It's hard understand the real world when some only live in a bubble of entitlement... no thank you.
your-kidding
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
An excellent attempt at dissembling, Mr. Smith. But I'm sure that most of us know that "jokes" have a much stronger basis in the speaker's true beliefs than a chance for a chuckle. Don't know how long you've been using the "family business" sentiment, but certainly you must have been called on it in the past. And yet you persist, although it "draws frowns from Rebekah, now and then." Only now and then?
Conan Smith
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
Hi all... so, I do joke around about politics being the family business. I must say it draws frowns from Rebekah now and then. It's not, however, anything more than an attempt at good humor, and certainly not a sense of entitlement. I know from the school of hard knocks that the voters of Ann Arbor couldn't care less about your lineage but vote for ideas and talent. When I ran against Vivienne Armentrout back in the day, she beat me in every single precinct! Rather, that "family business" thing is no more than a way to talk about the ethic of public service that we were raised with. I consider my day-job running a nonprofit organization as much in the same vein. Rebekah too has that same upbringing -- her father is a minister and her mother a nurse. We love working for the people of Michigan, and we both consider it a true privilege -- definitely not a right. I apologize to everyone if that off-hand remark was offensive. It wasn't intended to be anything more than a chuckle. I wanted to clarify, too, that over the past two years the County has had a very different approach to the budget than in the past -- it is indeed a process, one that deeply involves the community, the board of commissioners and the staff. It began in 2009 with a board retreat, called by our chair Rolland Sizemore, at which we discussed key issues and interests. This past year we hosted more meetings and public forums about the budget than we had in the past thirty years, including stakeholder sessions with the business community, area nonprofits and city and township government leaders. There was a remarkably substantial amount of public input into how we would spend hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition to chairing the Ways & Means Committee, I sit on the administrator's internal budget team that meets every two weeks to vet strategies and priorities from the departments and the community. All of this information filters up to the board level where the decisions are ultimately made, and I can guarantee you that this is no rubber-stamp process. The board proactively made millions of dollars worth of revenue and expenditure changes and adjustments to the recommendations compiled by administration. Ryan, thank you for this story about us. I really enjoyed our chat this morning. And, I too appreciate the coverage of people entering a race. I've learned a lot about how candidates are framing their campaigns and am looking forward to seeing more as we approach the filing deadline.
Lokalisierung
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.
And the president Harrisons....and the Roosevelts, FDR being related to 11 Presidents in total. But other than that.....
Lokalisierung
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
Except John & John Quincey Adams
InsideTheHall
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:19 p.m.
After the Kennedy's, Bush's, and Clinton's I believe we have had enough of family politics in America. An entrenched political elite is not what the founding fathers envisioned for America.
your-kidding
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
As Vivienne points out, there seems to be some misconceptions coming from Conan and Rebekah. I hope Rebekah elaborates a bit on her broad stroke statement. At a time when most of the electorate is looking for significant improvements and some common sense from Lansing, why is it that she has voted NO to almost all reform legislation coming out of the House. So she considers being a state representative a "family business?" She apparently does not want those pesky customers -- uh, Michigan citizens -- determining what her salary and lifetime health benefits should be. That would just be so rude... A question, Ms. Warren. How will you know what to do and how to vote without your mother-in-law sitting by your side and leading the way?
truthiness
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
Rebekah and Conan are both knowledgeable, extremely hard-working people who know a lot about how to get things done. I can understand why some people are making these comments about families in politics given some of the negative examples that are out there, but neither Conan nor Rebekah conduct themselves with any sort of sense of entitlement. They aren't new to the game, and there has been plenty of local coverage on both of them and they work they've done if you'd like to investigate their records. They are both great assets to our community.
politica
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.
Public service as a "family business" isn't inherently bad. They still have to work hard and earn their positions through education and community involvement. It certainly sounds better than passing on some corporation and its fortune from parent to kid, no questions asked.
Top Cat
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
Thanks to ShadowManager for being faster on the draw than I was. I don't think the mix of family and politics works. It tends to devolve quickly into a sense of entitlement because of the name.
Vivienne Armentrout
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:15 p.m.
I think that AnnArbor.com's practice of running stories that are presented to them as a press package is useful and informative. It is not at all remarkable that the elements of a campaign press release are repeated, as long as it is clear that is what is being done (rather than original reporting, for example). This allows us to hear what the candidates claim for themselves and what they are promising. There will be counterclaims and additional coverage later for most races, as campaigns heat up, but this provides a good introduction.
GB
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
They don't appeal to me...
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:04 p.m.
Ed is exactly right. As much as possible, we've stayed on top of candidate filings as they've happened. Here's the story we ran when Pam Byrnes filed. If a candidate filed and there wasn't a story on it, it's because no one from their campaign contacted us. But you can be sure we'll have a thorough roundup of everyone who filed after the deadline has passed. And every candidate will be profiled on AnnArbor.com before election day. It's our goal to give voters as much as information as we can so that informed decisions are made.
ShadowManager
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
Is it just me...or is it a COMPLETELY offensive when a public offical refers to their tax-payer funded position as a public servant as "the family business"? The last people to do this sort of thing locally were the Kilpatricks in Detroit...and we know how that turned out. It seems this clan HAS made a bit of nepotistic streak. I'll think I'll be looking at other, maybe less entangled, individuals to vote for come election time.
Huron74
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 1:54 p.m.
"Family business" is right. Is this what we really need right now (i.e.,professional politicians)?
ILJ
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
Seriously? This is a story? Hope all the other candidates filing to run for office in Washtenaw County get nice little profiles published when they pay their visit to the county clerk's office.
Vivienne Armentrout
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 1:34 p.m.
I think that when Mr. Smith states that he "chaired the county's budget process", he is referring to his role as the chair of the Board of Commissioners' Ways and Means Committee. There is no "budget process" as a stand-alone operation and it does not have a chair. The Ways and Means Committee is a committee of the whole wherein the BOC considers all items that will come onto its business agenda that involve expenditures (which is most items). As such, the administrator's proposed budget is also reviewed and modified at the Ways and Means meetings. Mr. Smith has been the Ways and Means chair for the last two years. I also noted that he is actually running on a promise to raise taxes, a remarkable act of courage for a politician these days.