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David Michel (American politician)

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David Michel
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 146th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byTerry Adams
Personal details
Born (1974-08-08) August 8, 1974 (age 50)
Nevers, France
Political partyDemocratic
OccupationEntrepreneur, activist
Websitehttp://www.housedems.ct.gov/Michel

David Michel (born August 8, 1974) is an American politician who is a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 146th district in Fairfield County. Michel Co-Chairs the CT Animal Advocacy Caucus with fellow State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria.[1]

Career

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Politics

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David Michel has described himself as a "progressive Democrat".[2] In the Connecticut House of Representatives, Michel has proposed bills enabling Connecticut municipalities to allow ranked-choice voting,[3] authorized state funding for a study on excessive rent increases,[4] banning the sale of products containing kangaroos,[5] and establishing an "Office of the Food Access Advocate" to aim to eliminate food deserts in the state.[6]

As of 2018, Michel is a member of the environmentalist non-profit Sea Shepherd.[2]

In January 2020, after being the only State Representative to vote against a bill aimed at accelerating the creation of 5G facilities in Connecticut, Michel hosted and co-sponsored a forum in Stamford designed to alert residents and government officials to the "serious issues" Michel claims 5G presents to "public health, safety, privacy, security, wildlife and property values".[7] There are no scientifically proven adverse health impacts from the exposure to 5G radio frequency radiation with levels below those suggested by the guidelines of regulating bodies, including the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).[8][9][10]

Michel is running election in the Democratic primary for the 146th District of the Connecticut set for August 2024.[11] Michel lost the Democratic nomination to challenger Eilish Collins Main, in a 5-1 vote.[11] Collins Main argued that Michel has focused his time in the Connecticut House of Representatives on issues that "are not relevant" to members of the 146th District, which includes parts of Downtown, the South End, and Shippan.[12] Michel refuted the claim, touting efforts to give right to counsel for low-income renters facing evictions, and supporting a bill which aimed to reduce food deserts.[12] Unofficial results from the night of the primary showed Michel losing to Collins Main, 44.3% to 55.7%.[13]

Electoral history

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Michel unsuccessfully contended for State Senator for Connecticut's 27th District in 2014 under the Green Party banner.[14] Michel won 1.6% of the vote, compared to Democrat Carlo Leone, who won 54.7% of the vote, and Eva A. Maldonado, who won a combined 43.7% on the Republican Party and Independent Party lines.[14]

Michel won the Democratic Party primary election for the 146th District of the Connecticut House of Representatives on August 14, 2018, against incumbent Terry B. Adams, winning 68.5% of the vote versus Adams' 31.5%.[15]

Michel was elected in the general election for the 146th District on November 6, 2018, winning 72.4% of the vote, versus the 27.6% won by Republican candidate Dan Pannone.[16]

Michel was re-elected to serve the 146th District on November 3, 2020, winning 70.5% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate George Hallenbeck, who won 29.5%.[17]

MIchel was again re-elected for the 146th District in November 2022, winning 63.3% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Jessica Demmo, who won 33.3%, and Independent Party candidate Thomas Concannon, who won 3.4%.[18]

Unofficial results from the Democratic Primary held on August 13, 2024 showed Michel losing to challenger Eilish Collins Main, 44.3% to 55.7%.[13]

Eyewear

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David Michel also works as a wholesale distributor for designer European eyewear.[19]

Political positions

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David Michel has described himself as a "progressive Democrat".[2] Michel has spoken in favor of Black Lives Matter movement,[20] as well as the Independent Drivers Guild, a group of rideshare drivers advocating for better pay.[21] Michel has been critical of increased development in Stamford during the 21st century, and has said it raises concerns about the local environment and displacement of existing residents.[22] Michel has advocated for a public state bank, splitting the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection into two different agencies, a $15 minimum wage, and universal pre-K.[22]

Michel has claimed that 5G has "never been tested with independent, peer-reviewed studies",[7] despite the fact that there are no scientifically proven adverse health impacts from the exposure to 5G radio frequency radiation with levels below those suggested by the guidelines of regulating bodies, including the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).[8][9][10]

Personal life

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Michel was born in Nevers, France,[2] and moved to the United States at the age of fourteen.[22] Michel has stated that his mother is an advocate for French retirees living abroad, and was once a regular speaker in the French National Assembly.[23] His father, Jacques Michel (French/American born in Australia), has been a commissioned agent in the Steel industry most of his life after his role as Director of Sales for a French steel manufacturer. [citation needed][clarification needed] As of 2020, Michel is married to his wife Jenny.[19]

References

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  1. ^ Michel, David (2021-02-10). "Animal Advocacy Caucus". www.housedems.ct.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  2. ^ a b c d "États-Unis - David Michel, un candidat démocrate au Parlement du Connecticut... né à Nevers" [fr:David Michel, a Democratic candidate for the Connecticut Parliament... born in Nevers]. Le Journal du Centre [fr] (in French). Groupe Centre France [fr]. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  3. ^ Bravo, Jessica (2023-01-12). "Will CT adopt ranked-choice voting? It's possible, legislators say". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  4. ^ Soule, Alexander (2022-08-14). "With rents soaring, CT officials could soon consider a cap on rental hikes". The News-Times. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  5. ^ Gabrielle, Vincent (2023-01-30). "Why is Connecticut considering a ban on kangaroo products? Soccer cleats". CT Insider. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  6. ^ "Stamford lawmaker: New legislation to combat food insecurity is 'off to strong start'". News 12 Connecticut. News 12 Networks. 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  7. ^ a b "5G skeptics to hold forum on safety as technology advances". Connecticut Post. Hearst Communications. 2020-01-05. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  8. ^ a b Elzanaty, Ahmed; Chiaraviglio, Luca; Alouini, Mohamed-Slim (2021). "5G and EMF Exposure: Misinformation, Open Questions, and Potential Solutions". Frontiers in Communications and Networks. 2: 5. doi:10.3389/frcmn.2021.635716. hdl:10754/667536. ISSN 2673-530X.
  9. ^ a b Bushberg, J.T.; Chou, C.K.; Foster, K.R.; Kavet, R.; Maxson, D.P.; Tell, R.A.; Ziskin, M.C. (August 2020). "IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation—COMAR Technical Information Statement: Health and Safety Issues Concerning Exposure of the General Public to Electromagnetic Energy from 5G Wireless Communications Networks". Health Physics. 119 (2): 236–246. doi:10.1097/HP.0000000000001301. ISSN 0017-9078. PMC 7337122. PMID 32576739.
  10. ^ a b "5G confirmed safe by radiation watchdog". The Guardian. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  11. ^ a b Gurciullo, Brianna (2024-05-24). "Primaries likely in Stamford after DCC, RTC endorse candidates for state House, school board". Stamford Advocate. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  12. ^ a b Gurciullo, Brianna (2024-05-05). "Stamford state Rep. Michel, newcomer Collins Main vie for Democratic endorsement for 146th district". Stamford Advocate. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  13. ^ a b Gurciullo, Brianna (2024-08-13). "Unofficial results: Stamford's Collins Main beats Michel in 146th House District Democratic primary". Stamford Advocate. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  14. ^ a b "State of Connecticut Elections Database » 2014 Nov 4 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 27". State of Connecticut Elections Database. Secretary of the State of Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  15. ^ "State of Connecticut Elections Database » 2018 Aug 14 :: Democratic Primary :: State Representative :: District 146". State of Connecticut Elections Database. Secretary of the State of Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  16. ^ "State of Connecticut Elections Database » 2018 Nov 6 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 146". State of Connecticut Elections Database. Secretary of the State of Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  17. ^ "2020 CT Live Election Results". Connecticut Post. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  18. ^ "CT election results: See who won races for governor, Senate, more". CTInsider. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  19. ^ a b Del Valle, Verónica (2020-09-27). "David Michel: Democrat, candidate for the 146th state House District". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  20. ^ "Stamford orders protesters occupying Latham Park to depart, but group vows to remain until demands for police reform are met". Hartford Courant. 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  21. ^ Caffrey, Jane (2023-02-16). "CT Rideshare Drivers Caravan to Demand Better Pay, Negotiating Power". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  22. ^ a b c Buisson, Alexis (2018-11-04). "David Michel, le Franco-Américain qui veut "nettoyer" le Connecticut" [David Michel, the Franco-American who wants to "clean up" Connecticut]. French Morning (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  23. ^ Kaufman, Richard (2022-10-20). "CT Patch Candidate Profile: David Michel For 146th House District". Stamford, CT Patch. Patch Media. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
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