Tim Greimel

Education and background

Greimel attended the University of Michigan, from which he received his bachelor's degree in economics and political science, a master's degree in public policy, and juris doctor degree. Greimel was admitted into the State Bar of Michigan on November 15, 2000.

Local government

In May 2005, Greimel was elected to serve on the Rochester Community School District Board of Education. He received 7,817 votes, the second-largest number of votes behind Michelle J. Shepherd, who received 7,989 votes. During his time on the school board, Greimel briefly served as president of the board. In August 2008, and again in 2010, Greimel was elected as County Commissioner of the 11th district.

Michigan House of Representatives (2011–2019)

At the end of 2011, Greimel won a special election for District 29 in the Michigan House of Representatives. Following the special election, Greimel won the election for a full term in 2012.

At the start of the full term in 2013, his House Democratic colleagues elected him to serve as the House's minority leader. He remained the Democratic leader of the House until 2017.

2018 congressional campaign

In October 2017, Greimel announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives to represent Michigan's 11th congressional district. He lost the Democratic primary to Haley Stevens by 4,636 votes.

Mayor of Pontiac (2022–present)

In November 2021, Greimel was elected mayor of Pontiac, Michigan, with 61.66% of the vote.

Incumbent two-term mayor Deirdre Waterman had been removed from the ballot ahead of the nonpartisan primary, after being found to have failed to file campaign finance reports in a timely manner and have failed to pay fees for late-filings. She ran a write-in campaign in the primary, but failed to receive enough votes to make the general election ballot. Griemel and Alexandra T. Riley (the city's former chief development officer, and a sales director for the Genessee County Land Bank Authority) advanced to the general election ballot.

Note was made that, in Greimel's win, voters in the city's black-majority populace electing a white mayor against a black opponent. At the time of the election, Pontiac had a populace that is approximately 60% African American, 20% non-hispanic white, and 20% hispanic. Griemel is white while his opponent was black. Detroit Free Press observed,

Greimel delivered his first state of the city address for Pontiac on September 29, 2022.

During his mayoralty, Greimel worked with Oakland County officials to redevelop Pontiac's downtown area and increase foot traffic. Greimel planned to demolish the Phoenix Center and replace it with a recreational space that would serve as a city center. Greimel described the Phoenix Center as a "dilapidated eyesore of a derelict parking structure".

Oakland County purchased two buildings to be used as office space in downtown Pontiac. Greimel expected the increased foot traffic from county employees and the new city center would boost economic activity in Pontiac's downtown area. The redevelopment project was expected to cost around $120–130 million, most of which would come from the state, Oakland County, and the American Rescue Plan Act.

2026 congressional campaign

In 2025, Greimel announced that he was running to fill the U.S. House seat currently held by Republican John James, who is not seeking re-election.

References

References

1. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2021/10/26/veteran-lawmaker-political-newcomer-battle-pontiac-next-mayor/6108733001/
2. "Welcome to Pontiac, MI".
3. Cunningham, Peter. (March 2015). "Michigan's Lawyer-Legislatures of the 98th State Legislature". Michigan Bar Journal.
4. "Timothy A. Greimel".
5. "Open Oakland Clerk's Public Document Search".
6. "Tim Greimel".
7. "Past Election Results {{!}} Oakland County, MI".
8. "Open Oakland Clerk's Public Document Search".
9. "Open Oakland Clerk's Public Document Search".
10. 2013-2014 Michigan Manual: [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(e53mpd45cjctls3zo4rvds55))/documents/2013-2014/michiganmanual/2013-MM-P0192-p0192.pdf State Representative Tim Greimel]
11. Martin, Tim. (November 8, 2012). "Michigan House Republicans stick with Jase Bolger; Democrats select Tim Greimel as their leader". [[Booth Newspapers]].
12. Spangler, Todd. (October 17, 2017). "State Rep. Tim Greimel joins crowded congressional field". [[Detroit Free Press]].
13. Proxmire, Crystal. (2022-01-03). "Phoenix Rising in Pontiac as City Gets all New Council, Tim Greimel as Mayor".
14. Laitner, Bill. (November 3, 2021). "Pontiac election results: New mayor and council bring potential for change".
15. (2022-09-24). "Pontiac 'State of City' to be delivered on Sept. 29".
16. Golston, Hilary. (2023-08-17). "$130 million Pontiac redevelopment plan has officials hoping for downtown rebirth".
17. (2023-08-17). "Oakland County leaders announce a $100 million investment to redevelop downtown Pontiac".
18. "Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel discusses future plans for Phoenix Center, Ottawa Towers - CBS Detroit".
19. Spangler, Todd. "Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel enters race for US House seat currently held by James".