Attorney Todd Stearn Announces Campaign for Oakland County 14th District

Todd Stearn, a 42-year-old resident of Beverly Hills, has officially announced his candidacy for Oakland County Commission in the new 14th district.

(Editor's Note: The district, drawn after the 2010 Census, includes all of Farmington and portions of northeast and southwest Farmington Hills.)

Stearn, a private practice attorney, said he is running “Because I have become increasingly concerned about the numerous issues facing our great county and the lack of leadership we have seen from our current commissioner.”  

Stearn continued, “Our number one priority should be to keep jobs in Oakland County and to attract new jobs in growing industries. I will bring the type of experience and innovative ideas that the commission needs to do just that.”

While this is his first run for a seat on the county commission, Stearn previously held public office, serving for 10 years on the Beverly Hills Village Council, including four terms as president. As council president, he managed to cut spending by more than $1 million and balanced the budget without significant cutbacks in core services. He also was successful in bringing legacy costs into line by fully funding the pension liability.

Stearn brings a wide variety of experience to the race; he served as liaison to the Finance Committee of Beverly Hills, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board of Beverly Hills, liaison to the Retirement Board of Beverly Hills and on the Beverly Hills Zoning Board of Appeals.

A practicing attorney who also owns commercial property in Southfield, Stearn was named a Super Lawyer for the past two years and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers. He also serves on the finance committee of Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills and on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice.

To date, Stearn has received endorsements from prominent community leaders such as U.S. Representative Gary Peters, Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, Oakland County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson and former Oakland County Commissioner Steven Schwartz. 

“I am honored by the outpouring of support I already have received from community members and civic leaders,” Stearn said. “There is a long way to go in this race, but I know that residents are anxious to see a candidate with a fresh vision who will truly represent the values and priorities of our community. I will work tirelessly over the next five months, knocking on doors and talking to residents about why I am the right person for the job.”

Stearn was born in Detroit and raised in Oak Park. He graduated from West Bloomfield High School and attended the University of Michigan, from which he holds a bachelor’s degree in history, and Indiana University in Bloomington, where he received his J.D.

Stearn and his wife, Terri, have been married for 20 years and have one daughter, Paige, 12. For more information, visit Todd2012.com or contact the campaign at 248-762-3194.

--Todd Stearn campaign press release