Andrew James Coulouris (born August 10, 1978) is a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He is a former Democratic Party member of the Michigan State House of Representatives from the 95th District, located in Saginaw County, which includes the city of Saginaw, Buena Vista Township, Spaulding Township, and Bridgeport Township.

Andy Coulouris
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 95th district
In office
January 1, 2007 – April 23, 2010
Preceded byCarl M. Williams
Succeeded byStacy Erwin Oakes
Member of the Saginaw City Council
In office
February 11, 2002 – September 12, 2005
Personal details
Born
Andrew James Coulouris

(1978-08-10) August 10, 1978 (age 46)
Saginaw, Michigan
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNatasha
ChildrenAlex
Alma materUniversity of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan

Early life

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Coulouris graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1996. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He and his wife Natasha have been married since 2002 and have a child, Alex, who was born in 2006, and Mia who was born in 2010. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Saginaw.

Political career

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City of Saginaw

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Coulouris served as a member of the Saginaw City Council, having been appointed on February 11, 2002 to fill the remaining term of a seat vacated by another council member. He was subsequently elected to the city council in the 2003 election for a full four-year term, but he resigned before completing his term on September 12, 2005. He also served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Saginaw County, although the position is not an elected position.

State representative

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In the August 8, 2006 Democratic primary election he was the leading candidate among five candidates having received a plurality with 39.18% of the votes. In the general election held on November 7, 2006, Coulouris defeated Republican Joel Wilson, receiving 80.94% of the votes cast in the 95th District, a district heavily favoring candidates from the Democratic Party. His first term ended on January 1, 2009.[1]

In the August 5, 2008 Democratic Primary election he defeated Terry W. Sangster, a former County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for State Representative, receiving 77.56% of the votes cast in the 95th district. Coulouris defeated Republican Ted Rosingana in the November 4, 2008 General Election, receiving 85.47% of the votes cast in the 95th District. Had he not resigned, his second term would have ended on January 1, 2011.

As a state representative, Coulouris served on the Banking and Financial Services, Health Policy, Judiciary, and Tax Policy Committees. He was the Chair of the Banking and Financial Services Committee. Coulouris was also named 2009 Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Municipal League.[2]

Resignation from office

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Under Michigan's legislative term limits, Coulouris was eligible for one additional term as a State Representative. As opposed to running for reelection in 2010, Coulouris instead announced that he would not seek a third term, citing the desire to spend more time with his family.[3] However, it was later revealed that Coulouris took a job as a lobbyist for Dow Corning in Washington, D.C., and he resigned his position as State Representative on April 30, 2010.[4] This left the 95th District without representation for a period of over 5 months, until the special election of Stacy Erwin Oakes in November 2010.[5]

References

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  1. ^ 2009-2010 Michigan Manual: State Representative Andy Coulouris
  2. ^ "Coulouris Named Legislator of the Year by Michigan Municipal League | News | Michigan House Democrats". 095.housedems.com. 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2010-01-17.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "State Rep. Coulouris Will Not Seek Re-Election - News Story - WNEM Saginaw". Wnem.com. 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2010-01-17.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Coulouris will leave Legislature early to work as Dow Corning lobbyist in Washington, D.C." Mlive.com. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  5. ^ "Erwin Oakes earns state House 95th District seat". Mlive.com. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
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Michigan House of Representatives
Preceded by Michigan State Representative, 95th District
2007- 2010
Succeeded by