Adam Stathakis ’18 is running for a seat in the 22nd district for Michigan’s House of Representatives this November.

Stathakis faces incumbent Democrat Rep. Matt Koleszar, who is seeking a fourth reelection in the 22nd district, which spans the western Metro Detroit area and includes parts of Plymouth Township, Northville Township, and Livonia. 

Koleszar won the 2022 election by 8.4% against Republican candidate Cathryn Neracher.

“It’s so important that we have the next generation of young conservative leaders step up in our country and in our state,” Stathakis said. “Everyone wants to complain, but few people want to step up for it and say ‘I want to run.’”

According to Stathakis, the main goal for Republicans in this election is to gain a majority in the House of Representatives, which would require winning three to four seats.

“You’ve got to understand why this race is so important,” Stathakis said. “Right now, the Democrats control the House, and they control the Senate and the office of the governor. These last two years with a Democrat trifecta have been absolutely disastrous for Michigan.”

Stathakis said he intends to reverse the damage Michigan has suffered under Democratic control. 

“I want to step up for conservatives who don’t want to run,” he said. “It’s about the next generation. I’m running for a better, brighter Michigan future.”

Stathakis said his top priority is to make Michigan more affordable by reducing government spending.

“Groceries, housing, utilities: it’s all out of control, and politicians are making it worse,” Stathakis said. “Michigan families are cutting their spending to live within their means: why can’t we cut spending up in Lansing?”

With Michigan public schools ranking 41st in the nation, Stathakis said as state representative he will prioritize improving the education system by removing political agendas from the classroom and supporting parental rights.

Other issues Stathakis will target include supporting law enforcement, enforcing immigration policies, supporting small businesses, and ending corporate welfare.

While at Hillsdale College, Stathakis studied accounting and served as vice president of the Sigma Chi fraternity as well as president of the accounting club. 

After graduating, Stathakis returned to his family’s professional cleaning company, called Stathakis Inc., where he serves as the director of operations.

Luke Grzywacz ’20 has advised Stathakis throughout his campaign and said Stathakis’ experience in business will particularly aid him in political work.

“Adam has spent his money very wisely over the campaign, not only because of the advice I gave him, but also because he’s a very intelligent businessman,” Grzywacz said. 

Another campaign consultant, Andrew Szewc ’22, said Stathakis’ experience in his family’s business makes him a good candidate for his district’s representative.

“He comes from a very good, business-oriented family,” Szewc said. “They fit the demographic of this district and they’re very well connected.”

Szewc managed the 2022 campaign for Republican nominee Cathryn Neracher against Koleszar and said he wanted to use his former experience to help Stathakis’ campaign get started.

“Having seen what it takes to face a three-time incumbent, I know it takes grit and I think Adam has it and has what it takes to flip this,” Szewc said.

Once elected, Szewc said Stathakis will defend the issues he has promised to uphold.

“He’ll go to Lansing with a backbone,” Szewc said. “He stands for faith and family in this district, and I know when elected, he’ll do the right thing.”