David Hotz

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

David Hotz

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2024

Personal

Birthplace

Garden City, Mich.

Religion

Unaffiliated

Profession

Security professional

Contact

Campaign website

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David Hotz (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wayne County Commission to represent District 11 in Michigan. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2024.

Hotz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

David Hotz was born in Garden City, Michigan. He attended Schoolcraft College. His career experience includes working as a security professional and supervisor and owning a computer repair company. He has been affiliated with Sierra Club, Michigan for Single Payer Healthcare, and Romulus Democratic Club.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2024)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 11

Allen Wilson won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 11 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allen Wilson (D)	94.2	38,727
		Other/Write-in votes	5.8	2,396

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,123
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 11

Allen Wilson defeated Joe Richert, David Hotz, Tim Craiger, and Jeremy Cady in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 11 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allen Wilson	30.3	3,014
		Joe Richert	23.6	2,347
		David Hotz	19.5	1,942
	Submit photo	Tim Craiger	17.1	1,696
		Jeremy Cady	8.9	880
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	64

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,943
= 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.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hotz in this election.

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2020)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 11

Incumbent Al Haidous defeated Jami VanAlstine in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 11 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Al Haidous (D)	76.7	37,725
		Jami VanAlstine (L)	21.1	10,390
		Other/Write-in votes	2.1	1,039

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 49,154
= 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 Wayne County Commission District 11

Incumbent Al Haidous defeated David Hotz in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 11 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Al Haidous	52.7	8,505
		David Hotz	46.6	7,528
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	106

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,139
= 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 themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

David Hotz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hotz's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hello! My name is David Hotz, a progressive working class father of one, whom I raised mostly on my own. Romulus resident for 25 years, a caretaker for my mom for 24 years until she recently passed on, and full-time corporate security supervisor at a supplier for our auto manufacturers. I've spent 10 years as a community organizer, Treasurer of the Romulus Democratic Club, a political consultant, a Regional Organizer for Michigan for Single Payer Healthcare, and involved in several other organizations. I have organized political forums, debates, and town halls. Most of my focus has been on healthcare, the environment, wildlife protection, and living wages.

Running for political office because working class people often get left behind and we need someone who can safeguard our community from polluters. My background in information technology will help usher in the next wave of green technology and use social media to improve communication from Wayne County. I'm the only candidate who can bring working class progressive values to the District 11 seat. Our campaign is focused on doors instead of buying votes. It's time that we elect leaders who live our same struggles and vote our values into office.

Thank you for your consideration on August 6th in the Democratic primary. I'm asking you for your vote to elect the only working candidate for the working class.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Wayne County needs a public transit plan that doesn't increase our taxes, but provides the quality job access, new steady revenue, reduces traffic, and boosts tourism. We must explore every avenue including buses, bike lanes, and rail systems. Smaller structured plans that can expand and make sense based on community needs. This will boost living wage job creation while giving residents more way to reach employment. Business growth around public transit is enormous.
• Green energy based infrastructure would modernize our communities while producing new living wage jobs and reducing dependency on utility companies. Auto makers would benefit from having the infrastructure to build EVs like more charging stations, solar parking lots, and even solar roads. Producing our own energy would help our fragile energy grid. My background in information technology will help apply the new tech coming and ask the right questions.
• Affordable energy efficient housing would lower housing costs and further help our energy grid. Dense housing would reduce traffic and improve population growth. In conjunction with development, we should also improve renters rights especially for those in manufactured homes. In today's market, it leaves out homes for people on fixed incomes, seniors, and single parent families. We need to do far more to ensure housing and the cost of living are available to all Americans.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Millions struggle to deal with healthcare costs and often go bankrupt or worse, death. Myself cannot afford the healthcare premiums from my employer. I've seen how private insurance puts profits over people's health, that's why I fight for universal healthcare system.

The growing issue is the environment as it becomes a larger national security issue. Climate immigration will become an enormous issue as food, water, and extreme heat drive people from their homes. Extreme weather and wildlife extinction are on the rise. We can do far more so our future generations have better quality of life than own lives.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I've looked up to Theodore Rosevelt, Steve Yzerman, and Bill Clinton. The first president that I could vote for was Bill Clinton who was charismatic, found ways to navigate a divided government, and broke policy down in a way that was relatable to all Americans. Steve Yzerman embodied the sacrifice, teamwork, leadership, and playmaking that was inspirational. Scoring goals on one leg when our team needed it the most in a playoff game or adjusting his own scoring game to improve the team defensively to win. Theodore Rosevelt grew past childhood adversity into a strong leader and an outsider to establishment politics. Progressive leader who protected parks, championed fairs for all, fought for pure food and water, and a peacemaker. He is truly my favorite president and I hope to carry on fighting for those same ideals.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A leader should bring strong ethics, communication, willing to represent all residents regardless of partisan politics, vision for the community, willing to fight special interests, and understanding the position is to server others over serving oneself. Foresight is important to recognize the consequences of decisions and preventing come crisis before they arrive. The ability to constantly learn as the technology changes. Having leaders with empathy who can feel the pains of our most vulnerable. We have too many "Yes" leaders who follow instead of asking difficult questions, we need leaders who can stand their ground when necessary. Leading by example is important, ethics must be lived, not based on convenience. Elected officials are meant as a position of service to the public, not the other way around. We need to be accessible, accountable, and willing to engage the public to create awareness or educate.

Being an elected leader means grooming new leaders. I was taught that if you aren't teaching your job, then you aren't doing your job. We need to inspire and help working class people get involved and into office. Most importantly, realize that you always have more to learn and that we aren't always correct. People are humans and so are elected leaders. We must be able to grow in the position we serve in and as a people to help those in need. Leadership is sometimes self-sacrifice and taking the responsibility of everything that happens under your watch even if it wasn't directly your fault.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe that I'm very capable of learning anything and maximizing potential with little resources. Adept at problem solving, understanding people, can be a fighter when needed, but can also mediate a serious situation. Been able to find a conversation with anyone, even if we disagree. I try to treat all people with respect and recognize that we all have struggles. Very strong willed and won't be pushed, bullied, or bought off. Having an elected office would give me the platform advocate on better electing systems that give working class people an equal opportunity, for a universal healthcare system, criminal justice reforms, protecting our planet, and helping guide our youth to get more involved. Far from perfect, but I do have fresh solutions and a different common-sense approach that would help many succeed.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility should be the proper allocation of funds into services, development, and infrastructure. Followed by public communication, working with local leaders for future projects, safeguarding residents from environmental dangers, providing financial transparency, and creation of opportunity for those who need it most. The commission operates much like a regional city council, but funds fewer emergency services with exception of the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. One of the most important functions is to bring funds back to your district to improve parks, roads, drains, and bring future growth.

What legacy would you like to leave?

My son is my ultimate legacy, but I hope to have left this world being remembered for helping others. Maybe have some things to leave behind to my son and family. As an office holder, I hope leave office with a public rail system leading from Detroit to Ann Arbor and maybe one day set up an animal sanctuary/ women's abuse shelter. Women struggle to leave abusive relationships without their pets and many shelters won't accept pets.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was around 11 or 12 when I first started mowing lawns and I believe at 14 years old, I was giving dogs a caring for and giving dogs a bath at a pet grooming company. First real paycheck as from Farmer Jack when I was 16, stayed there a good year or so.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My father passed away when I was one year old, grew up being raised by a single mother with lots of adversity from economic issues to abusive relationships. She fell ill with three autoimmune diseases and struggled with her health for many years. I was a caretaker for 24 years until she passed away last November. My life hasn't been easy, but it brought me here to use those experiences to help others. I've also struggled to go years without healthcare and can't afford the premiums at my current employer.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not in all cases, experience can be based on making bad decisions in a previous position. Career politics can lead to complacency, corruption, lack of new ideas, and becoming out of touch with the public. I believe we need term limits in all positions of service to produce new leaders and innovation. Modern problems need modern solutions which are often not embraced by older generations. We need more people from all types of income brackets, professions, and age groups to be elected so we have a more diverse representation and new solutions.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The Wayne County Commission would benefit from younger talent that understands technology to boost public communication and modernize our community. If they can't operate a website or social media correctly as a candidate, then we shouldn't expect them to communicate much to the public once elected. Most of the infrastructure and development is now technology based. Environmental and technology issues require leaders who understand it, can ask the right questions, and can see the potential risks in the future. I would also think healthcare and criminal justice knowledge could be a benefit.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Young Democrats, Moms Demand Action, and Planned Parenthood. More to come soon.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Transparency is extremely important to ensure the funds are well spent without greasing the pockets of 3rd parties and giving breaks to large corporations while our district has direct needs. Leaders should have thick skin to handle criticism and have their feet held to the fire for their actions. Accountability only happens when the public is aware, involved, and has access to question leaders. Many people don't even know what a county commissioner even does or who holds the office. Public engagement with transparency and hard conversations are best for our communities and for our leaders to grow.

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.

2020

David Hotz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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Wayne County Commission District 11

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