About Rep. Rudy Hobbs

Currently in his second term as State Representative, Democratic Floor Leader Rudy Hobbs has devoted himself to a life of public service and being an active and engaged member of his community.

Rudy’s journey to the Michigan House of Representatives began at Michigan State University, where he found his first calling—education. At MSU, Rudy earned a degree in elementary education and then went on to receive his master’s degree in education administration.

Upon graduation from MSU, Rudy found himself teaching in Detroit Public Schools and later Southfield Public Schools. While a teacher at heart, Rudy became frustrated with the way Lansing was forming education policy and quickly found himself on a path to politics, working to become part of the solution.

Hobbs’ found his foot in the door answering phones and working for Oakland and Macomb County residents on behalf of U.S. Congressman Sander Levin. Rudy then worked his way up through the ranks, organizing the Democratic Coordinated Campaign in the Southfield area in 2004, becoming the 12th Congressional District Coordinated Campaign Manager in 2006, organizing the 2008 “Get Out to Vote” campaign, and eventually serving as Congressman Levin’s District Director and in Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s administration as a policy adviser to Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, concentrating on statewide educational and economic reform.

Along the way, Hobbs completed the bipartisan Michigan Political Leadership Program, was elected to the Southfield School Board in 2004 where he served for four years, served on the boards of Botsford Hospital, the Birmingham YMCA and the Lathrup Village Community Foundation; on the Board of Reviews for Lathrup Village; and as a Youth Adviser for the South Oakland County NAACP. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

In 2010, Rudy continued his climb and was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where his colleagues appointed him as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader. And in 2011, as a first term representative, he was chosen as Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Municipal League and by the Building Owners and Managers Association for his fight to restore jobs, improve educational opportunities, and enhance the overall quality of life for Michigan residents.

Today, Rep. Hobbs serves the residents of the 35th House District which includes the City of Southfield, City of Lathrup Village, Southfield Township, Village of Beverly Hills, Village of Bingham Farms, and Village of Franklin.

Rep. Hobbs currently sits on the House Energy and Technology committee, is the Minority Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Government Operations, and was selected by his colleagues to serve as the Democratic Floor Leader for the 2013-2014 legislative session.

A longtime Southfield resident and graduate of Southfield-Lathrup High School, Rudy still lives in Southfield with his wife and three daughters, committed as ever to a life of public service and civic engagement.

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