Township Gets New Congressman, Representative in Redistricting

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation redrawing legislative boundaries for state House, Senate and Congressional districts.

For Oakland Township, that means a new congressman and a new representative, starting with the 2012 election.

In the House

In the Michigan State House of Representatives, Oakland Township, Rochester and Rochester Hills were previously in District 45, led by Republican Tom McMillin.

Now, most of Oakland Township is in District 46, which is led by Rep. Brad Jacobsen of Oxford. The southern part of the township that borders Rochester Hills remains in District 45 with McMillin.

“Brad’s district has gotten slightly smaller, as well," Mike Combagnoni, representative for Rep. Jacobsen said. "We’ve lost three townships on the west side of Oakland County.”

Rep. Jacobsen said he is looking forward to representing Oakland Township and speaking with its residents.

"I look forward to the opportunity to serve Oakland Township residents along with Representative McMillin," Jacobsen said in an interview with Patch Wednesday afternoon. "I’m excited about it. I know more individuals in Oakland Township and am more familiar with the issues."

Jacobsen, whose family owns and operates Jacobsen's Flowers, said he has many family connections to Oakland Township, including a great great grandfather with the last name Goodison.

"Somewhere in our possession we have an old brass key that goes to the cider mill," he said, adding that his great great grandparents are buried in on Orion Road.

In the Senate

Oakland Township remains in District 12, led by Republican Sen. Jim Marleau.

In Congress

Oakland Township was previously in District 9 with Rochester and Rochester Hills; District 9 is led by Democrat Gary Peters.

Now, Oakland Township is in District 8 along with Rochester and most of Rochester Hills. District 8 is led by Republican Mike Rogers of Brighton. District 8 also includes the rest of the northern half of the county (from Oakland and Addison townships west to Holly and Rose townships).

"It's an honor to serve the people of northern Oakland County," Rogers said in a statement sent to Patch Wednesday afternoon, "and I look forward to serving Rochester and Rochester Hills in the next session of Congress should voters entrust me with their confidence."

For more about the elected leaders

• To contact Congressman Mike Rogers, visit his website at mikerogers.house.gov
• To contact Rep. Brad Jacobsen, visit his website at www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=46
• To contact Sen. Jim Marleau, visit his website at www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/contact.asp?District=12