Biographical Information
Born: March 1, 1959 in Flint
Marital Status: Married
Spouse/Partner: Kathy
Children: Joel, Justin, Lena, Lee and Kayla
Education: Bachelor's degree in Education with a concentration in History, Economics and Politics from Central Michigan University.
Employment/Military Record: Runestad Financial Associates, self-owned since 2004
Community Activities: Meals on Wheels volunteer, Foster parent, White Lake Tree Lighting ceremony co-chair, Highland-White Lake Business Association, Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, past Clarkston Chamber Ambassador Committee, member of the Oakland County Business Round Table, North Oakland Board of Realtors, Citizen's Advisory Committee for the Friend of the Court, Michigan Association of Counties Judicial Committee, Family Rights Coalition of Michigan, Runestad family involved in the Farm Bureau in Southeastern Michigan, Meals on Wheels, Lions Club
Religion: Christian
Governmental Leadership (Elected or Appointed)
Senate (1/1/2019 - 12/31/2026)
House (1/1/2015 - 12/31/2018)
Other Offices: Former three-term Oakland County Commissioner
Elections and Political Participation
Michigan Senate 23rd District 2022
General Vote:
78,175 of 131,649 (59%)
Primary Vote:
22,545 of 22,545 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements:
ABC of Michigan PAC;
County Road Association of Michigan Roads+ PAC (primary);
Great Lakes Education Project;
Michigan Chamber of Commerce;
Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPAC;
Michigan Freedom Network;
Michigan Manufacturers Association;
Michigan Realtors;
Michigan Retailers Association;
National Federation of Independent Business-Michigan;
Right to Life of Michigan PAC
Michigan Senate 15th District 2018
General Vote:
67,352 of 130,288 (51%)
Primary Vote:
25,757 of 28,770 (89%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements:
Police Officers Association of Michigan, Right to Life of Michigan, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan Freedom Network, Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Citizens for Traditional Values, Michigan Realtors
Michigan House 44th District 2016
General Vote:
33,731 of 49,201 (68%)
Primary Vote:
9,612 of 9,612 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements:
Right to Life of Michigan, Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Committee, Builders and Contractors of Michigan PAC, Great Lakes Education Project, National Federation of Independent Business-Michigan, Michigan Realtors RPAC, MiBank PAC, the County Road Association of Michigan RUSH-PAC, Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers
Michigan House 44th District 2014
General Vote:
21,838 of 32,200 (67%)
Primary Vote:
3,804 of 10,717 (35%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements:
Michigan Manufacturers Association, Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPAC, Great Lakes Education Project, Right to Life of Michigan (blanket endorsement for primary, sole endorsement for general election), Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Townships Association Political Action Committee, Madison Project- Michigan PAC, Michigan Bankers Association PAC
Political Activities: Past president and current leadership of the North Oakland Republican Club, elected to the Oakland County Republican Party Executive Committee, elected 10 years as precinct delegate, twice named to the "Number One Republican Club in the State of Michigan" (only a handful of individuals statewide are honored every two years with this title), served as the Waterford Republican Caucus chair for seven years, editor and publisher of the publication "The Michigan Conservative Banner," a statewide publication 2003-2004, local Romney District elections leader and literature drop coordinator for all delegates in Springfield, Highland and White Lake townships, organized three of the largest countywide precinct delegate training workshops in Oakland County, caucus chair for White Lake and Highland