Steve Pestka

Steve Pestka
Steve Pestka
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives; from the 29th district
	In office; 1999–2003
Succeeded by	Michael Sak
Personal details
Born	October 5, 1951 (age 72); Grand Rapids, Michigan
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Alicia
Children	1
Residence	Ada, Michigan
Alma mater	University of Michigan; Detroit College of Law;

Steven Pestka (born October 5, 1951) is an American politician and business owner. Pestka served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, judge, and a Kent County commissioner. He was the Democratic Party nominee for the United States House of Representatives 2012 election to represent Michigan's 3rd congressional district, which he lost to incumbent Republican Justin Amash.

Early life

Pestka's father, Henry, survived the Holocaust. After World War II, Henry relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he started a real estate business.^[1]

Pestka graduated from East Grand Rapids High School. He then attended Grand Rapids Community College and graduated from the University of Michigan. Pestka received his law degree from the Detroit College of Law.^[2]

Career

After receiving his law degree, Pestka became Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County, Michigan. He became a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners in 1992 and served three terms. In 1998, Pestka was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where he served two terms. In 2002, Pestka ran against Bill Hardiman for election to the Michigan Senate rather than seek reelection to the Michigan House. Pestka lost the election 53.8–44.7%.^[1]^[3]

Jennifer Granholm, the Governor of Michigan, appointed Pestka to the Family Court in the Kent County Circuit Court in 2003. He was elected to a six-year term in 2004. However, he resigned as judge in 2009 to help run his father's real estate business.^[1]

Pestka ran for the Democratic Party nomination for the United States House of Representatives election to represent Michigan's 3rd congressional district.^[4] He lost to incumbent Republican Justin Amash.^[5]

Personal

Pestka and his wife, Alicia, have one son. They reside in Ada, Michigan.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Katy Batdorff. "Kent County Circuit Judge Steven Pestka will quit to help with family real-estate development business". The Grand Rapids Press. MLive.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ ^a ^b "Steve Pestka – Candidate for U.S. President, Republican Nomination – Election 2012". Projects.wsj.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "Newspaper Archive". Nl.newsbank.com. 2003-03-02. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ Newkirk, Barrett (March 5, 2012). "Steve Pestka announces campaign for U.S. House". The Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
^ Michigan Set your local edition » (2011-11-01). "Election results: Justin Amash bests Steve Pestka, blasts 'extremists' in Congress for gridlock". MLive.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[mlive-1] Katy Batdorff. "Kent County Circuit Judge Steven Pestka will quit to help with family real-estate development business". The Grand Rapids Press. MLive.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[wsj-2] "Steve Pestka – Candidate for U.S. President, Republican Nomination – Election 2012". Projects.wsj.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[3] "Newspaper Archive". Nl.newsbank.com. 2003-03-02. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[4] Newkirk, Barrett (March 5, 2012). "Steve Pestka announces campaign for U.S. House". The Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved March 13, 2012.

[5] Michigan Set your local edition » (2011-11-01). "Election results: Justin Amash bests Steve Pestka, blasts 'extremists' in Congress for gridlock". MLive.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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