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Alex Hawkins

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Alex Hawkins
Candidate, Michigan House of Representatives District 55
Elections and appointments
Last election
August 6, 2024
Next election
August 4, 2026
Education
Bachelor's
Central Michigan University, 2021
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Army
Personal
Profession
Military officer
Contact

Alex Hawkins (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 55. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on August 4, 2026.

Hawkins also ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 10th Congressional District. He will not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.

Hawkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Alex Hawkins began serving in the U.S. Army in 2015. He attended Oakland Community College and earned a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in 2021. His career experience includes working as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army and as a congressional aide.[1]

Hawkins has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Explosive Ordinance Disposal Warrior Foundation
  • Association of the United States Army
  • National Guard Association of the United States
  • Air Force Association
  • United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil
  • Civil Air Patrol
  • Michigan National Guard Association
  • Military Officers Association of America
  • National Defense Industrial Association
  • Women In Defense
  • American Legion
  • Veteran’s of Foreign Wars
  • FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association
  • Central Michigan University Alumni Association
  • Oakland Community College Alumni Association
  • Michigan Democratic Party
  • Oakland County Democratic Party
  • North Oakland Democratic Club
  • Rochester Area Democratic Club

Elections

2026

Michigan House of Representatives

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 4, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 55

Alex Hawkins (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 55 on August 4, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Alex Hawkins
Alex Hawkins  Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Hawkins's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.

U.S. House

See also: Michigan's 10th Congressional District election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 4, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10

Tripp Adams, Eric Chung, Tim Greimel, Christina Hines, and Brian Steven Jaye are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on August 4, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on August 4, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 55

Incumbent Mark Tisdel defeated Trevis Harrold in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 55 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mark Tisdel
Mark Tisdel (R)
 
53.7
 
29,026
Image of Trevis Harrold
Trevis Harrold (D) Candidate Connection
 
46.3
 
24,993

Total votes: 54,019
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 55

Trevis Harrold defeated Alex Hawkins in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 55 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Trevis Harrold
Trevis Harrold Candidate Connection
 
52.8
 
4,861
Image of Alex Hawkins
Alex Hawkins Candidate Connection
 
47.2
 
4,349

Total votes: 9,210
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 55

Incumbent Mark Tisdel advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 55 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mark Tisdel
Mark Tisdel
 
100.0
 
7,633

Total votes: 7,633
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hawkins in this election.

Campaign themes

2026

Michigan House of Representatives

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Alex Hawkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hawkins' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Alex Hawkins is a U.S. Army National Guard officer, Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy, and community advocate running for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 55. His background includes military service, public safety work, and hands-on involvement with local organizations. He is focused on pragmatic, people-first solutions that improve affordability, public safety, education, and government accountability for Michigan families.
  • Pragmatic leadership focused on results: Michigan needs problem-solvers who show up, listen, and deliver. Alex Hawkins believes government should work efficiently, transparently, and in partnership with local communities to solve real problems.
  • Affordability and economic security: Alex is focused on lowering everyday costs, supporting workers and small businesses, and strengthening consumer protections so families can get ahead without falling behind.
  • Public safety, service, and accountability: Drawing on his experience in the military and public safety, Alex supports smart investments in mental health, infrastructure, and emergency services while holding government accountable to the people it serves.
Public safety and emergency preparedness, affordability and cost-of-living issues, education and workforce development, veterans’ services, infrastructure reliability, and government transparency.
VoteVets

New Politics
UNITE-HERE Local 24
Michigan Machinists Council
State Representative Donovan McKinney
State Representative Joey Andrews
State Representative Sam Steckloff
State Representative Jason Morgan
State Representative Mike McFall
State Representative Denise Mentzer
Oakland County Commissioner Brendan Johnson
Macomb County Commissioner Michael Howard

Community leaders Eric Chung, Katrina Manetta, Amanda Treppa, Sarah Pounds, and Emily Busch

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

U.S. House

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Alex Hawkins did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

2024

Candidate Connection

Alex Hawkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hawkins' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Army Bomb Tech, Veteran, and dedicated public servant Alex Hawkins is vying for a seat in the Michigan State House representing District 55, deeply connected to his roots in Oakland County. His commitment to service was sparked after high school when he enlisted as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in the U.S. Army, a commitment of nearly nine years. In tandem with his military duties, Alex pursued and obtained a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University. His service continued beyond active duty, as he now serves as an EOD Officer in the Michigan National Guard and an Oakland County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy. These roles underscores his enduring dedication to local safety and welfare with a hands-on approach. Alex’s campaign for the State House is fueled by a passion for direct community involvement and making a tangible impact. He takes a hands-on approach to service, leading a local community choir and actively participating in local organizations he has been in for years. His work extends to directly assisting constituents and veterans while working for the U.S. Senate, and recently the U.S. House of Representatives. The pillars of his campaign are a fierce advocacy for public education, rooted in his personal experiences in Oakland County schools, the welfare of veterans, and the protection of the rights of all Michiganders. With a proven track record in community service and military leadership, Alex stands poised to be the best candidate.
  • Alex Hawkins stands out as a candidate for the Michigan State House with a unique blend of military discipline and local community involvement. His nearly nine years as an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and current roles as a Michigan National Guard EOD Officer and Oakland County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy showcase his commitment to safety and wellbeing of Michiganders. This extensive experience, combined with a hands-on leadership style, sets Alex apart as a candidate deeply committed to serving Oakland County.
  • With a career marked by direct community engagement and impactful service, Alex has been a proactive leader in local initiatives, such as heading a community choir and participating in longstanding organizations such as the Civil Air Patrol. His legislative work with the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives provides him with a unique perspective on governance and community needs. Alex’s approach is informed by a rich blend of legislative, and constituent focused, deep community ties, offering a balanced and empathetic view essential for District 55.
  • Alex’s campaign is driven by personal convictions and his background. A product of Oakland County's public schools, he deeply values education and advocates for a robust system. His military background fuels his commitment to veteran welfare. Alex's vision extends to ensuring the rights and welfare of all Michiganders, underlining his dedication to the community where he and his wife look forward to raising their family.
Education: Enhancing the quality and accessibility of public education, ensuring every child has the opportunity for success. Ensuring teachers are paid and supported in their role.

Veteran Affairs: Improving support and healthcare for veterans, ensuring their well-being and holding state agencies accountable.
Community Safety and Welfare: Fostering local safety and public welfare through my experiences in law enforcement and the National Guard.
Environmental Protection: Advocating for sustainable practices and policies to safeguard the natural resources and promote a healthier environment.

Affordable Child Care: Ensuring accessible and affordable child care options for families, aiding parents in balancing work and family responsibilities.
"Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy - a classic book offers a profound exploration of the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by elected officials who chose to act with integrity and conviction, often at the risk of their careers. It resonates with my emphasis on leadership, integrity, and dedication to public service.
Commitment to Service: Demonstrated by your extensive military and community service, showing dedication to the welfare of others above personal interests.

Hands-On Leadership: A leadership style that involves direct engagement and participation in community initiatives, indicating a proactive and involved approach to problem-solving.
Integrity and Transparency: Upholding ethical standards and being open about your goals and methods, which is crucial for building trust and credibility with constituents.
Empathy and Understanding: Being in touch with the community’s needs and concerns, as evidenced by your active participation in local organizations and understanding of issues like education and veteran affairs.
Adaptability and Learning: The ability to assimilate diverse experiences, such as legislative work and community involvement, into a balanced perspective beneficial in policy-making.
Advocacy for Key Issues: Passionate advocacy for crucial areas such as education, veteran welfare, community safety, environmental protection, and child care, reflecting a deep understanding of the community's needs.

Vision for the Future: A clear and forward-thinking vision for the community, aiming to bring about effective change and improvements in crucial sectors.
Legislation Development and Review: Crafting, sponsoring, and reviewing legislative proposals that reflect the needs and interests of the constituents in District 55. This involves understanding complex issues, collaborating with other lawmakers, and staying informed about a broad range of policy areas.

Constituent Representation and Advocacy: Acting as a voice for the residents of District 55, ensuring their concerns, needs, and opinions are represented in the State House. This includes being accessible to constituents, understanding their perspectives, and advocating on their behalf.
Committee Participation: Engaging in committee work, which is integral to the legislative process. This involves detailed examination of legislation, oversight of state agencies, and specialized focus on certain policy areas.
Policy Analysis and Decision Making: Analyzing a wide array of policy issues and making informed decisions that benefit the community and align with their values and needs.
Community Engagement and Outreach: Maintaining a strong presence in the community, attending local events, and being accessible to constituents. Regular communication through town halls, meetings, and other forums to keep the public informed and involved.
Resource Allocation and Budgeting: Playing a role in state budgeting processes, ensuring that District 55 receives fair and adequate resources for public services, infrastructure, education, and more.
Upholding Ethical Standards: Adhering to high ethical standards and transparency in all aspects of the role, maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability.

Collaborative Governance: Working with other elected officials, across party lines and governmental levels, to develop and implement policies that serve the best interests of the district and state.
My very first job was at 14 years old, working for the high school theater when it would be rented out for events. I held that job until I left for the U.S. Army. I still volunteer there today, over 10 years later.
The ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be grounded in collaboration and mutual respect, guided by a shared commitment to the public interest. Effective governance requires both entities to work together, fostering open communication and negotiation to find common ground on policy matters. This collaborative approach is essential for informed decision-making that benefits the public. It’s important that there is mutual respect for each entity's distinct roles and responsibilities: the legislature’s in making laws, and the governor’s in executing them. Such respect is fundamental to maintaining a healthy balance of power.

Constructive dialogue is key in this relationship, ensuring that both sides are well-informed about each other's priorities and challenges. Adherence to the principle of checks and balances is crucial, with the legislature responsibly exercising its oversight role and the governor respecting the legislative process, including judicious use of veto power. Both parties should focus on common goals, especially on issues with significant public impact like education, healthcare, and economic development. This shared focus can help bridge partisan divides and foster bipartisan solutions. Additionally, both the governor and legislature should exemplify transparency and accountability in their actions and maintain responsiveness to the needs and concerns of their constituents, ensuring that the voices of the people are reflected in their policy decisions.
Economic Diversification and Job Creation: Michigan’s economy, heavily reliant on the automotive industry, needs further diversification to reduce vulnerability to industry-specific downturns. The state must embrace new technologies and industries, such as renewable energy, tech, and advanced manufacturing, to create a more resilient and diverse economy.

Education and Workforce Development: Improving the quality of public education and aligning educational outcomes with job market demands is crucial. Michigan must invest in K-12 education, vocational training, and higher education to prepare a workforce capable of meeting the challenges of a changing economy.
Infrastructure Revitalization: Aging infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water systems, and public buildings, requires significant investment. The Flint water crisis highlighted the dire consequences of neglected infrastructure. Sustainable and resilient infrastructure development is key.
Environmental Sustainability and Water Management: Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes, faces unique challenges in water management and environmental protection. Addressing water quality issues, protecting natural resources, and mitigating the impacts of climate change are critical.
Healthcare Accessibility and Quality: Ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Michiganders, especially in rural and underserved urban areas, remains a challenge. This includes addressing public health issues like the opioid crisis and mental health services.

Social Inequality and Inclusivity: Addressing social inequality, racial disparities, and ensuring inclusivity in all sectors of society is a significant challenge. This involves tackling poverty, ensuring equal opportunities in education and employment, and confronting systemic biases.
Having previous experience in government or politics can be beneficial for state legislators, but it is not the only pathway to effective public service.
Absolutely, building relationships with other legislators is highly beneficial and often essential for effective lawmaking. When legislators develop a rapport and respect each other's viewpoints, they are more likely to find common ground and collaborate on bipartisan solutions to pressing issues. Moreover, strong relationships can lead to more productive discussions and less partisanship, enabling a focus on the broader interests of the public rather than narrow party lines.
I am here to focus on my current situation and the people of the greater Rochester area.
If elected, my first legislative initiative would be introducing a bill aimed at fundamentally strengthening public education in Michigan. This decision is rooted in my firm belief in education as a cornerstone for individual and community success, reinforced by my personal experience in Oakland County’s public schools. The bill would focus on several key areas: increasing funding for schools to provide necessary resources for a quality learning environment, enhancing support for teachers through better salaries and professional development opportunities, and expanding curriculum to include a stronger emphasis on STEM subjects, arts, and humanities, ensuring a well-rounded education for students. Additionally, it would prioritize early childhood education, to include childcare, recognizing the critical role of early learning in lifelong success, and bolster mental health services within schools to support the overall well-being of students. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure every child in Michigan has access to high-quality education, which is vital for preparing them for a successful future and fostering a more prosperous, equitable state.
Military, Veterans and Homeland Security, Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, Labor, Families, Children and Seniors, Education.
Transparency as a Priority: Financial openness in government is crucial. All financial decisions and transactions must be fully accessible and understandable to the public, fostering trust and accountability.

Regular Audits and Comprehensive Reporting: Implementing thorough audits and detailed reporting of government spending is essential to identify inefficiencies, prevent fund misuse, and guarantee effective use of public resources.
Upholding Ethical Standards: Maintaining high ethical standards in financial dealings is non-negotiable. This includes adhering to laws and regulations related to campaign finances, lobbying, and conflicts of interest, ensuring that officials act as stewards of public trust.
Easy Access to Financial Information: Government financial policies and expenditures should be easily accessible, utilizing technology to allow citizens to track how their money is used.
Strong Accountability Measures: Effective mechanisms for addressing financial mismanagement or corruption are vital, including legal consequences for those misusing public funds.
Encouraging Citizen Participation: Citizen involvement in budgetary processes should be encouraged. This includes public forums and advisory boards to align government actions with public interest.

Responsive Governance: Elected officials need to be responsive to constituents' concerns about financial matters, maintaining open communication and providing regular updates on fiscal issues.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Alex Hawkins campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026* U.S. House Michigan District 10Withdrew primary$376,391 $376,391
2024Michigan House of Representatives District 55Lost primary$71,104 $0
Grand total$447,495 $376,391
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 25, 2024


Current members of the Michigan House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Matt Hall
Minority Leader:Ranjeev Puri
Representatives
District 1
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District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Mai Xiong (D)
District 14
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District 28
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District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
Matt Hall (R)
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
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District 50
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District 55
District 56
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Kara Hope (D)
District 75
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District 93
Tim Kelly (R)
District 94
District 95
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District 98
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District 100
Tom Kunse (R)
District 101
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John Roth (R)
District 105
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Republican Party (58)
Democratic Party (52)