Dan Scripps Biography

Dan Scripps is the Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in the 101st District, which is made up of Mason, Manistee, Benzie, and Leelanau counties. In 2006, Dan received over 48% of the vote against a two-term incumbent committee chair in one of the most closely fought races in Michigan. The Michigan Information and Research Service credited Dan with running “one hell of a campaign,” and noted political columnist George Weeks has described Dan as a “bright political comer.” The 101st District is one of just nine seats in the state described as a “toss-up” by Inside Michigan Politics publisher Bill Ballenger.

Dan currently works with the Leelanau Conservancy to develop a model farmland protection strategy for Leelanau County. In this position, Dan draws on his experience assisting businesses and other organizations to find and take advantage of the opportunities of a changing world.

Dan graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Law School in 2005. He began his legal career practicing environmental law in the Washington D.C. office of Latham & Watkins LLP, a top national law firm. Dan is also a 1998 graduate of Alma College, where he served as Student Congress President and Editor-in-Chief of the college newspaper, and he currently sits on the Alma College Alumni Board.

Dan served as Northern Michigan regional director for the 2000 Democratic campaign and worked in Bill Bradley’s national campaign headquarters during the 2000 presidential primaries. In 1999, Dan managed the successful campaign of Nicol Stephen, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, in his election to the Scottish Parliament, and returned in 2001 and 2002 to work in Scottish government and politics. In Michigan, Dan managed John Austin’s 1998 campaign for Secretary of State, and has also worked for Northport Public Schools, Woody’s Settling Inn and Stubb’s Sweetwater Grill of Northport.

Dan currently serves as Vice President of the Leelanau Children’s Center, where he chairs the Steering Committee. Dan also co-chairs the Economic Development Committee for the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Michigan Bar Association. Dan is a member of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS), a national network of progressive lawyers, judges, and individuals, and co-founded the Michigan Election Law Project, a group that works to counter voter intimidation and spearheaded the research efforts for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. In addition, Dan is a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Great Lakes, and the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited.

Dan is married to Jamie Scripps, an attorney with Sondee, Racine & Doren PLC in Traverse City. Dan and Jamie live in Leland and are members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church near Beulah.