Joe Richert

Joe Richert (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.

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

Biography

Joe Richert was born in Kirksville, Missouri. He earned a high school diploma from Huron High School, a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1980, and a law degree from Wayne State University in 1983. Richert's career experience includes working as a healthcare executive.^[1]

Elections

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

	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

	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 Richert in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

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

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Wayne County and never left. My wife and I raised our family here, our family business here and I have served in several public roles here. I'm now semi-retired from our health care business. I'm also an attorney and I want to serve as the commissioner for our District 11.

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?

Management of our roads, bridges, ditches and drains must improve.
County governance should be transparent, accountable and effectively communicated with the residents and municipalities.
pursue new approaches to provide affordable housing for our area.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

water quality and stewardship

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

My father was our town, New Boston, doctor for 43 years and a good man. My uncle Dan was the minister of the local church in New Boston he was also a great guy. Both were very important and supportive as I grew up.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I taught this approach at my company for years - I'm a certified facilitator.

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

the commissioner should be responsive to the communities served. Be a strong participant at county governance and be a good listener.

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

I am well educated for the job as an attorney and businessperson. I have successfully run a healthcare operation that has been in business for 50 years, serving hundreds of deserving patients and employing hundreds of good people. I am a decent and hard-working guy committed to excellence and effectiveness.

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

Listen, learn, show up and make good decision and communicate with constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was a good and faithful servant working for the common good on behalf of my neighbors.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When we, the USA, successfully went to the moon and back. The astronauts actually came to our town for a parade

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

I worked as a stock boy at the local grocery store for a couple years, then started a hay farming business that I did all through high school

What is your favorite book? Why?

I just re-read Phillip Yancey's book "What's so Amazing about Grace". Highly recommend it Speaks to gratitude, something we need more of - I think.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I think Fred Flintstone had the best attitude and energy.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Beside my grandson's "Danny Go!" it was Don Henley's "Heart of the matter"

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

I've been blessed in my life. Even with hard work and good luck sometimes things don't go your way. You have to be resilient.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I know a lot of jokes and couldn't put one in writing - sorry.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

My nephew and some acquaintances who assist with campaigns. No organizations. I am not seeking donations and instead am self-funding my campaign efforts.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

It's the citizens money - not mine. They need to know it is going and why it is going there. The ultimate accountability is at the ballot box however I believe county governance needs to better significantly better communicated.

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.

External links

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Candidate

Wayne County Commission District 11

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 5, 2024

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 5, 2024

[1]

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Joe Richert

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 11

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 11

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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Public Policy

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