Felicia Brabec is a clinical psychologist and a Democrat who represents Pittsfield Township (District 4) on the Washtenaw County board of commissioners. She was elected chair of the board in January 2015.
Felicia Brabec (D-District 4) at a March 2014 meeting of the Washtenaw County board of commissioners. (Photo courtesy of The Ann Arbor Chronicle.)Brabec was initially appointed by the county board to fill a vacancy in District 7 following the resignation of Democrat Kristin Judge. She prevailed in a special election held in May 2012 to fill the remainder of that term (through 2012). She then won the November 2012 general election for a new two-year term beginning January 2013 to represent District 4. (A redistricting took effect for the first time in the November 2012 election, changing the district boundaries and shrinking the number of districts from 11 to 9.)
She was re-elected in November 2014 for another two-year term beginning January 2015.
By virtue of her role on the county board, Brabec has served on a variety of appointed boards and commission, including: Community Action Board, Community Corrections Board, Eastern Leaders Group Leadership Committee, Health Emergency Response Coalition, Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and Sustainable Revenue for Supportive Housing Services Task Force.
Brabec also serves on the board of the nonprofit Food Gatherers.
She is married to David Brabec, a partner with the software development firm Moxie Group Inc. The couple has two young children, Viviann and Alex.
Timeline: Felicia Brabec
Jan. 7, 2015: Is elected by her fellow board colleagues to chair of the Washtenaw County board of commissioners for a one-year term.
Nov. 4, 2014: Wins general election for District 4 with 6,823 votes (64.04%) compared to 3,797 votes (35.64%) for the Republican candidate, Stanley Watson. She had not faced a challenger in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary election.
Jan. 2, 2013: Is elected by her fellow board members to serve as chair of the board's ways & means committee, where action items for the board are given initial review and approval.
Nov. 6, 2012: Wins general election for the new District 7 (Pittsfield Township) with 10,506 votes (66.61%) over Republican Richard Conn’s 5,186 votes (32.88%). Redistricting took effect for the first time in this election, with the county divided into 9 districts compared to the previous 11 districts. She had been unopposed in the August 2012 Democratic primary election.
May 8, 2012: Defeats Republican Richard Conn in a special general election to represent District 7 on the Washtenaw County board for the remainder of the term, through December 2012. Brabec gets 934 votes (60.1%) compared to 610 votes (39.25%) for Conn. There were 10 write-in votes.
Feb. 28, 2012: Wins special Democratic primary election to be the Democratic candidate in the special May 8 election to represent District 7. She was unopposed.
October 2011: Is appointed by the Washtenaw County board of commissioners to fill a vacancy on the board following the resignation of Kristin Judge, who had represented District 7 (Pittsfield Township). She had been one of two candidates who applied for the job, along with Democrat Christopher Nielsen. Brabec had been encouraged by Judge to pursue the board appointment.
August 2006: Opens private practice in Ann Arbor.
2005-2007: Staff psychologist and social worker at the University of Michigan.
2004-2006: Staff psychologist and social worker at Ann Arbor Consultation Services.
2003-2005: Post-doctoral fellow at the University of Michigan.
1997-2000: Clinical social worker for the West Aurora School District.
2003: Earns doctorate in clinical psychology from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
1997: Earns a master’s degree in clinical social work from Boston College.
1995: Earns a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Saint Mary’s of Notre Dame.
1991: Graduates from Rosary High School.
In the news
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners selects new chairwoman – MLive, Jan. 9, 2015
Washtenaw County Board incumbents mostly coast on election night – MLive, Nov. 5, 2014
Democrats Finish Strong in County Races – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Nov. 7, 2012
Brabec Wins District 7 County Board Seat – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, May 8, 2012
Brabec, Conn Move on to May Election – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Feb. 28, 2012
Brabec Files for County Board Election – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Dec. 6, 2011
Brabec Appointed to County District 7 Seat – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Oct. 19, 2011
County Board Meets District 7 Candidates – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Oct. 18, 2011
Two Candidates Apply for County Board Seat – The Ann Arbor Chronicle, Oct. 13, 2011
Sources
Brabec's campaign website: http://www.electfeliciabrabec.com/
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/felicia-brabec/8b/160/b59
Contributing to This Page
For some existing timeline elements more precise dates would be desirable. Update strategy: Add timeline elements and news links as history unfolds.
