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 About Dan Scripps
Dan Scripps is the 2008 Democratic candidate for State Representative in the 101st District, which includes Mason, Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau counties.
Growing up in Michigan
Dan is the son of Doug and Merilee Scripps and was born on August 26, 1976 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because of his parents' long love of Northwest Michigan, Dan has been spending time in its beauty since before he was even born. Following his dad's career as a music professor and orchestra conductor, Dan was raised in Mt. Pleasant and Alma, graduating from Alma High School in 1994. Even as a child, Dan was interested in the electoral process, telling his fifth-grade classmates that he was "Ferris Bueller's best friend." (It worked; they elected him to class council!) Dan's parents also instilled in Dan and his brothers a responsibility to serve others, something that has played out in all three of their lives; Dan's brother Taylor is a police officer downstate, while his brother Adam is a former Peace Corps Volunteer. As a high school student, Dan's passion for improving the lives of others led him to work with members of his church to start a community meal and food pantry in the church basement. The Community Cafe is still serving the needs of Alma's less fortunate today.
Educated in Michigan
After high school, Dan enrolled at Alma College, in part for the opportunity to study at the college where his father taught music. During his college years, Dan served as Editor-in-Chief of the college newspaper and as president of the student congress. In 1998, his classmates honored him by electing him as Alma College's Senior Leader.
Dan's leadership and hard work paved the way for his acceptance into the University of Michigan Law School, where he graduated with honors in 2005. As a law student, Dan served as president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Constitution Society and started a Michigan group that works to counter voter intimidation. Following his first year of law school, Dan met his future wife Jamie when both of them had summer jobs at the university's law library.
A global perspective
After graduating from Alma College, Dan managed John Austin's 1998 campaign for Michigan Secretary of State. Following that campaign, Dan had the opportunity to travel abroad, a path that led him to Aberdeen, Scotland. During his time overseas, Dan helped elect Nicol Stephen to the Scottish Parliament and worked for a small project management consulting firm. After returning to the United States, Dan joined Bill Bradley's presidential campaign in New Hampshire. Later, Dan was asked to serve in the Bradley campaign's national headquarters in West Orange, New Jersey. Following the primary, Dan returned home to Northwest Michigan to work as the Northern Michigan Democratic regional director for the general election of 2000.
After law school, Dan practiced environmental law in the Washington D.C. office of a leading global law firm, where he was also active with the firm's venture capital practice. Seeing that his home state was in trouble, Dan returned home to run for the State House in 2006. In that election, Dan received over 48% of the vote against a two-term incumbent committee chair in one of the most closely fought races in Michigan.
In 2007 and early 2008, Dan worked with the Leelanau Conservancy to develop a cutting edge package of farm programs. Dan currently owns his own consulting business where he helps clients identify and take advantage of the opportunities of a changing world.
Serving Michigan
An active member of his community, Dan serves as Vice President of the Leelanau Children's Center and chairs the economic development committee for his local chamber of commerce. Dan is also active with the Center for Michigan, a bipartisan statewide effort to develop a common sense agenda for Michigan's future.
Dan is emerging as a statewide leader on environmental and energy issues, as well as on how technology and communications advances can help in creating a more prosperous, more just world. This summer Dan will participate in a think tank discussion on Climate Change and Energy Policy Solutions at the Rothbury Music Festival in July, and since 2006, Dan has presented at a statewide 4H youth conference; to a meeting of the Midwest Association of Sovereign Tribes; and at the Land Trust Alliance's Midwest regional conference.
In May of this year, Dan became the first Michigan House candidate to be endorsed by 21st Century Democrats, a national organization that supports progressive candidates and leaders who articulate a compelling vision for America.
Dan is married to Jamie Scripps, a local attorney. Dan and Jamie live in Leland and are members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church near Beulah.
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