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David Adams (Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds, Michigan, candidate 2024)
From Ballotpedia
David Adams (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds in Michigan. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Adams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
David Adams provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on August 4, 2024:
- Birth date: June 9, 1969
- Birth place: Detroit, Michigan
- High school: Chippewa Valley and others
- Bachelor's: Macomb Community College / Wayne State University, 2001
- Graduate: Oakland University, 2008
- Other: Marygrove College, 2012
- Military service: United States Army, 1987-1990
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Methodist (United)
- Profession: Educator
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Select a Vet! - Vote David Adams for Macomb County / Clerk Register of Deeds
- Campaign website
- Campaign Instagram
Elections
General election
General election for Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds
David Adams and Anthony G. Forlini ran in the general election for Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | David Adams (D)  | |
| Anthony G. Forlini (R) | ||
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| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds
David Adams and Steve Fleck ran in the Democratic primary for Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| David Adams | |
| Steve Fleck | ||
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| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds
Kristi Dean, Anthony G. Forlini, and Jackie Ryan ran in the Republican primary for Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds on August 6, 2024.
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| = 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. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Adams in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Adams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Adams' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born in Detroit, Michigan to a native Detroiter mother and an immigrant father from northern Iran. Raised amidst some economic and familial challenges, my early years were marked by my parents' separation and several moves within Macomb County. Despite these early obstacles and later challenges in school, I never stopped my pursuit of a formal education. I attended various public schools in Warren Consolidated, Utica, East Detroit, Mt. Clemens and Chippewa Valley school districts. Sadly, I never graduated high school and left Chippewa Valley in my junior year. At age 17, I took an important step and joined the US Army, serving from my 18th birthday in 1987 until July 1990. Stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, I served as an armored vehicle driver and FIST-V artillery targeting specialist. My military service included border duty on the Czech / German border during the historic events of 1989, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the later collapse of Eastern European communism. Exposure to others who lacked our American freedoms, instilled in me a deep respect and gratitude for the liberties we Americans hold dear. I attended Wayne State University and took employment at a manufacturing plant in Royal Oak where I was a union representative for our UAW Local 155. Upon graduating cum laude from Wayne State in 2001, I was hired by Chippewa Valley High School as a summer school teacher, having come full circle from my earlier years as a high school dropout.
- I took up the challenge of running for political office when I realized that the incumbent was uncontested. As a federal republic we can only remain a democracy when there is a choice between candidates. I aim to provide an alternative to the current career politician in office, offering integrity, transparency, and a commitment to responsible governance.
- I am running for office due to my concerns regarding the incumbent's judgement in appointing an election denier, who has been photographed with a felon convicted of sedition, as the trainer for county poll observers. This decision reflects a lack of sound leadership and accountability.
- I believe as a government agency the clerk's office has a responsibility to provide the fastest, most efficient and friendly service to the citizens of Macomb County at the lowest cost possible. As Clerk, I would seek for ways to improve service time, provide as many on-line options as is legally possible for official records and reduce costs for filing fees as low as is feasible for the citizens of our county.
Many topics of public policy are important to me, but few of those national issues play a role in the position of County Clerk and Register of Deeds. As a gun owner and avid hunter, I believe in the right to bear arms, but that doesn't mean that there shouldn't be sensible regulations of firearms. As County Clerk I would conduct a full review of CPL (concealed pistol licenses). Why? Because every citizen eligible by law should have a right to conceal carry. HOWEVER, there should not be a single CPL holder in Macomb County who is forbidden to hold a CPL by law still in possession of one. This is merely sensible government.
The clerk carries out state law at the county level particularly in regards to election oversight. The clerk is also the recorder of the 16th Circuit Court proceedings.
My father because he truly embodies the American Dream. He came to this country in 1965 with no money, no real skills and a very limited ability to speak English. He worked for 35 years in a steel manufacturing plant as a machine repairman. He provided child support to my mother, while housing and feeding his new family. He never got out of the 6th grade in Iran, but here he actually attended Macomb Community College and earned a few different certificates to better himself as a machine repairman. Like my Dad, I had a difficult start. Mainly because I seldom saw him growing up and my mother could never keep a job. I never let this deter me and even though I never graduated high school, today I hold a B.A. and an M.A. from Wayne State University and Oakland University respectively. My father is now retired and has lived a great life here in the USA. This was possible because the USA, despite it's many shortcomings, remains one of the best places to live on planet Earth. Why? Because there is opportunity here for those who would find it.
Saving Capitalism and the Common Good by Robert Reich. Democracy and capitalism in the USA are currently very interconnected. Capitalism has provided more wealth and prosperity for more people than any other system utilized thus far. This does not mean that the current system is perfect, but radical attempts at disposing of it will benefit no Americans. Some tweaks may be necessary as we see 1% of the population holding 50% of the wealth, but radical socialism, communism or social reengineering isn't the answer.
NUMBER ONE - Integrity is the foremost important characteristic for elected officials. Citizens of a federal republic should not need to worry about politicians utilizing citizens tax dollars and community resources for personal gain. No one should ever achieve great wealth from holding elected office any more than they should from military service. Elected officials serve the people not the other way around.
NUMBER TWO - Commitment to public service. Elected officials should view their positions as an opportunity to make our communities a better place for all citizens. This should be a call for elected officials to accept that their placement will call for long work hours, difficult decisions and as always in a republic compromising what their party / individual wants are against the needs of their constituents.
NUMBER TWO - Commitment to public service. Elected officials should view their positions as an opportunity to make our communities a better place for all citizens. This should be a call for elected officials to accept that their placement will call for long work hours, difficult decisions and as always in a republic compromising what their party / individual wants are against the needs of their constituents.
My ability to collaborate and reach across the aisle to other office holders to do what is best for the people of our county. I don't believe I have all the answers, but I am willing to work with the most conservative Republicans and the most liberal Democrats to create local government that is there to serve the needs of our citizens.
The county clerk is essentially the county level record keeper. The clerk's office has a set of finite rules under which they are expected to operate. In Macomb County the clerk's most important role is oversight of the electoral process. There is no greater duty for our county clerk that guaranteeing the integrity of our elections. The clerk is also responsible for recording and maintaining all vital records. These include marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, military service records (DD 214), CPL's (concealed pistol licenses) and property deeds and business registrations. There are other important leadership roles that the clerk holds in Macomb also. These include remonumentation, the updating of the county survey. The clerk also plays a role in the meetings of the 13 County Commissioners.
I would like to be remembered as a great father, a loving and attentive husband, an inspirational educator and with the support of the people of Macomb County, the best County Clerk they ever elected.
I recall the election of Jimmy Carter when he ran against Gerald Ford. I was in the first grade and my friend, Chris showed up to the bus stop with a shelled peanut transformed into a person with little arms and legs. I asked what this was all about. He explained that our new President was just a "simple peanut farmer." I told him I was happy he was the new President because I didn't like the other guy. My reasoning? Because he was bald. As a now 55 year old, bald, Democrat I hope voters won't hold that against me.
My first job was as a dishwasher at the Firehouse Lounge at 16 Mile and Harper in Mt. Clemens, MI. I began at age 14 right before my 15th birthday. It was hot, you were not permitted to sit at any time and they expected you to constantly work fast. It was challenging particularly on Friday and Saturday nights when we would close and clean up. It got out at 2:30 am on those nights. This job actually prepared me for the rigors of Basic Training in the US Army It wasn't any type of military discipline, but the expectations of the cooks for a tiny 135 lb. teenage boy seemed, by today's standards, quite excessive. I frequently tell my children about this job and how it prepared me for what most of us have to do through life - work. This job allowed me to save up $1000 and purchase my first car with my own hard earned money. This took awhile as I earned $3.35 an hour before taxes! This was a great learning experience.
Fiction - The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin, I loved the "Game of Thrones" series because it is essentially a political drama just set in a feudal, medieval fantasy world with dragons.
Non-Fiction - The Civil Wars (Commentarii de Bello Civili) by Julius Caesar, it tells the tale of the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. It is such an amazing drama, but also a great (but biased) telling of history.
Non-Fiction - The Civil Wars (Commentarii de Bello Civili) by Julius Caesar, it tells the tale of the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. It is such an amazing drama, but also a great (but biased) telling of history.
I would like to be Tyrion Lannister from "Game of Thrones." He was born with serious deformity. He is always underestimated. He is socially ostracized. However, due to his keen intelligence and political acumen, he eventually rises to great heights that no one ever thought possible for someone who had the deck so stacked against him.
Growing up in poverty and constantly moving as a child made for a very unstable foundation. The discipline I learned in the US Army has served me all my adult life. Without the perseverance to complete my military service during those formative years (18-21) and earning my Montgomery GI Bill to attend college, I wouldn't be typing this now. Again, I seized an opportunity that is there for anyone who wants to change their lot in life. The Army is certainly not for everyone, but without I wouldn't be who I am. Today, my struggles are quite different. I am a father, a husband, a teacher and with the support of the citizens of Macomb County, soon an elected official. These are all challenges, but they honestly pale when I compare them to the struggles of growing up in poverty and a frequent fear of homelessness.
That the County Clerk's office can help them research a genealogy! Records over 100 years old are open to the public to research historical events and people. As a world history teacher I love the thought of helping our citizens with this very cool service the clerk's office provides.
While experience can always be helpful, it is certainly not a prerequisite to be the Macomb County Clerk. A good record keeper, who can collaborate and work well with others, who is unafraid of making needed compromises and always puts the people's needs first can be an effective County Clerk.
I am a fastidious record keeper. I have been a public school teacher for 23 years and to date I have lost two student assignments. One flew out the window of my car over 20 years ago! The other was accidentally thrown out after a class ethnic food day.
I always seek to collaborate with others. I do not view others ideas as inferior to my own. I always seek to encourage other's opinions and take them into consideration. Democracy is best when politicians seek a compromise that is in their constituents best interests.
I am an adept computer user. I am proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Forms and OneNote. I produce and utilize Microsoft products on a daily basis as a public school teacher. I keep accurate records using a school purchased digital gradebook. I was at the forefront of the digitization of our school curriculum long before the pandemic occurred. This placed my students at a distinct advantage over others who had to make the transition to online learning after the closing of our schools. This was apparent in 2020 when my AP World History students outperformed our district and the state of Michigan average scores by over 30%
What do you call a bad lawyer? Mr. Senator! I looked this one up.
As I am a political novice with no name recognition, I do not yet have any organizational endorsements. I am hoping that after the primary the MEA (of which I am a dues paying member) will endorse my candidacy. However, despite not yet having any organizational endorsements, I have had only positive responses from everyone that I know when I shared that I am running for a local political office. Many of my friends and colleagues have stated, " I don't know anyone else personally more qualified or trusted to run for elected office. I love the NFL, but in reality politics has always been my sport.
There should not be any expenditure of tax payer dollars without full transparency of where, when, how and why these funds were utilized. Public service projects should prioritize serving the greatest number of citizens in the greatest are of need. "Pork" projects designed to help elected officials get re-elected a breach of the electorates public trust.
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
