Harvey Schmidt seeks bid for state representative seat

By JIM LINCOLN

A new direction in public service may be taking Harvey Schmidt to Lansing. The long-time city council member and mayor has announced plans of seeking election to the 57th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Schmidt declared his intent Wednesday morning as a Democratic candidate seeking nomination in the August 2010 primary. If elected, he will succeed current state representative Dudley Spade, who will be stepping down after meeting the term limits of six years.

Schmidt, age 57, is a life-long resident of Tecumseh, a pharmacist by profession and owner of three pharmacies, Schmidt and Sons, in Tecumseh, Clinton and Blissfield.
In a press statement released Wednesday, Schmidt said:

“In making this announcement I know that I will be ending my service as mayor to this wonderful place I have called home for nearly 58 years. It has been a privilege to have been chosen by the citizens of Tec-umseh to serve first as a councilmember and secondly as its mayor for a combined total of 24 years.

“But I think it is time for me to see, in what way, I can expand my service outside the city limits of Tecumseh. I am excited about the prospect of taking my many years of experience as councilmember and mayor and applying that knowledge base, along with my 33 years of experience as a businessman in Lenawee County, to work to bring good things to the 57th District.”

Last month, Jim Van Doren, of Adrian, formed an exploratory financial and campaign committee to review options for seeking the state representative seat with a formal decision expected within weeks. Van Doren currently serves on the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners.