Preceded by Ken Bradstreet Name Kevin Elsenheimer Political party Republican Role American Politician | Spouse(s) Ann Elsenheimer Party Republican Party Children Emma, Noah and Jacob Succeeded by Greg MacMaster | |
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Born August 21, 1965 (age 58) ( 1965-08-21 ) Alma mater Northwestern Michigan College, Michigan State University, Wayne State University Law School Profession House Minority Leader; County Criminal Prosecuter Residence Charlevoix, Michigan, United States Education Michigan State University, Central High School | ||
Kevin Elsenheimer (born August 21, 1965) is an American lawyer and politician from Republican Party and a former minority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives. He is the former Director of the Michigan Workers' Compensation Agency and Deputy Director and Senior Deputy Director of Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). He currently serves in the cabinet of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
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Childhood and family
Elsenheimer was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. He and his wife and children live in East Bay Township outside Traverse City, Michigan. He is the son of former Grand Traverse County Commissioner, the late Arthur C. Elsenheimer.
Education
Elsenheimer graduated from Traverse City Central High School and then attended Northwestern Michigan College, where he received an Associate of Arts degree. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1987 studying Psychology, History and Philosophy. Elsenheimer continued his education at Wayne State University Law School where he obtained his law degree. While in law school, Kevin served as a Student Attorney for Legal Services of Northern Michigan and Lakeshore Legal Services.
Previous offices held
Elsenheimer served as assistant prosecuting attorney for Antrim County and as a member of the Bellaire Public Schools Board of Education for a term-and-a-half, from 1998 to 2003. He later stepped down to run for the Michigan Legislature.
Legal Career
The late Charles H. Koop hired Elsenheimer as an assistant prosecutor for Antrim County in 1994. As an assistant prosecuting attorney Elsenheimer handled over 30 jury and non-jury trials. Almost two years later Elsenheimer formed a law firm with former elected Antrim County Prosecutors James G. Young and Bryan E. Graham. The law firm focuses on representation of municipal entities. At the firm Elsenheimer tried matters in circuit courts throughout Michigan, argued several cases in the Michigan Court of Appeals, and practiced in both the Michigan Supreme Court and US Supreme Court. Elsenheimer lost election to the 86th District Court to Judge Michael Stepka in 2010.
Legislative Career
With the retirement of Rep. Ken Bradstreet due to term limits, Elsenheimer filed to run for Michigan's 105th state house district in 2003. He defeated several opponents in the Republican primary, including John Ramsey, the father of the late Jon Benet Ramsey. He was elected to a 2005-06 term in the fall general election defeating Democrat Jim McKimmy 62%-38%, and was re-elected to two additional two-year terms before retiring in 2010 due to term limits.
During the 2005-06 term Elsenheimer was elected by the Republican caucus to serve as Associate Speaker Pro Tem. He served as the Assistant Minority Leader during the 2007-08 term, and as Republican Minority Leader during the 2009-10 term. Elsenheimer left Republicans in majority in the Michigan House following the 2010 elections picking up a net of 21 seats for his party.
While serving in the majority during the 2005-06 term Elsenheimer had 19 bills signed into law. Notably, working with State Senator Jason Allen, he passed Heidi's law, PA 564 of 2006, which allowed use of prior drunk driving convictions in charging decisions regardless of the number of years that passed since the convictions. The law is named in honor of Heidi Steiner who lost her life to a drunk driver in Antrim County.
Elsenheimer also drafted and passed Michigan's Unified Zoning Act, PA 110 of 2006.