Dudley Spade
Encyclopedia
Dudley Spade is a politician from the U.S. state
of Michigan
. He has served as State Representative from the 57th district since 2004. He is a Democrat
. His district includes almost all of Lenawee County
. Prior to becoming a State Representative, Spade was a child and family activist.
to Victor and Mirabel Spade. His father was a retired World War II
veteran, and his mother was a teacher. His older brother, Doug, also served as a Representative from the 57th District despite being blind. Dudley Spade received his bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Eastern Michigan University
. Spade spent 25 years as a child and family advocate, including 17 years as the controller of the Boysville of Michigan, a facility for troubled youth. In 1994, he received Michigan Federation of Private Child and Family Agencies' Peer Award for outstanding dedication in service to Michigan's families and children.
Dudley succeeded his brother Doug in the 57th District, making them the first Democrats since 1914 to represent that area. In 2005 he was named as the "Visionary Freshman Legislator" by Michigan's Children, honored in 2006 by the Michigan Agri-Business Association as their "Legislator of the Year", and in 2007 was selected for that same honor by the Association of Independent Colleges."
On November 4, 2008, Dudley Spade was re-elected for his third term with 68% of the vote.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He has served as State Representative from the 57th district since 2004. He is a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. His district includes almost all of Lenawee County
Lenawee County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 98,890 people, 35,930 households, and 26,049 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 39,769 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
. Prior to becoming a State Representative, Spade was a child and family activist.
Early life
Dudley Spade was born on a small farm in Hillsdale County, MichiganHillsdale County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 46,527 people, 17,335 households, and 12,550 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile . There were 20,189 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
to Victor and Mirabel Spade. His father was a retired World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran, and his mother was a teacher. His older brother, Doug, also served as a Representative from the 57th District despite being blind. Dudley Spade received his bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
. Spade spent 25 years as a child and family advocate, including 17 years as the controller of the Boysville of Michigan, a facility for troubled youth. In 1994, he received Michigan Federation of Private Child and Family Agencies' Peer Award for outstanding dedication in service to Michigan's families and children.
Political career
Dudley Spade was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004. He is noted for introducing legislation to ban the sale of Marijuana-Flavored Candy in Michigan and amending the state's Deaf-Interpreter Act. Spade sits on the Appropriations Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Human Services. He is also Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.Dudley succeeded his brother Doug in the 57th District, making them the first Democrats since 1914 to represent that area. In 2005 he was named as the "Visionary Freshman Legislator" by Michigan's Children, honored in 2006 by the Michigan Agri-Business Association as their "Legislator of the Year", and in 2007 was selected for that same honor by the Association of Independent Colleges."
On November 4, 2008, Dudley Spade was re-elected for his third term with 68% of the vote.