Joseph Tate

Joseph Tate was born in Detroit, Michigan. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2009 to 2013. Tate earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 1999 and a master's degree from the University of Michigan in 2017. His career experience includes working in economic development with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.[7]

Joseph Tate did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Joseph Tate did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Joseph Tate did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for re-election as a part of my deep and lifelong commitment to public service. My mother, Debra, was a Detroit Public School teacher, while my father, Coleman Sr., was a Detroit firefighter stationed at Ladder 31. My father died in the line of duty in February of 1981. Although I do not remember my father, the stories of his selflessness told by family and friends still resonate with me today. Prior to being elected to office in 2019, I was a program manager at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), focusing on connecting small business suppliers to local contracting and development opportunities across Detroit. Prior to my work at DEGC, I served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps before returning home to earn graduate degrees in business and natural resources at the University of Michigan.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Leadership Matters: Now more than ever our legislators need reliable and experienced leadership to champion our community beyond the impacts of COVID-19. Relationships Matter: We move as fast as trust can carry us in organizations. I have worked to build trustworthy relationships as a legislator to improve the quality of life for the residents of House District 2.Reliable Record of Getting Things Done: I have sponsored two bills and co-sponsored eleven bills that have become public acts.    Featured local question

In a time of strained resources, what should be the state’s spending priorities?

K-12 Education

Health Care

Social Services

Revenue Sharing

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

K-12 Education Funding

Infrastructure Investment

Revenue Sharing

Small & Minority Owned Business Growth

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mother is someone I look up to and whose example I aspire to emulate. My father, a fire fighter, passed away in the line of duty -- he left behind a wife and three children. My mother fought through that tragedy to raise her children, graduate from college, and become a public school teacher.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin

What legacy would you like to leave?

To improve the well being of the residents I serve.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Aja by Steely Dan

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

While I believe it is beneficial for legislators to have worked in government or politics, it is certainly should not be a requirement. Every individual who has the opportunity to serve as a legislator brings a layered and unique experiences to the role to be a voice for their communities.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Recovering from the impacts that COVID-19 has had on Michigan and its residents.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The ideal relationship is that of two co-equal branches of government that collaborate to find the right solutions for the residents of Michigan.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Being a member of a legislature is similar to being on a sports team. Like being on a team, anything that gets accomplished is due to teamwork -- like the legislature.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I serve on the appropriations committee which focuses on allocating the state budget. The subcommittees I sit on are: School Aid & Education, General Government, and Military & Veteran Affairs and State Police.

Tate's campaign website highlighted the following themes:[12]

High-quality job growth and economic development

Excerpt: "If elected, I will work tirelessly, in collaboration with business leaders at all levels, to ensure that all of the citizens of my district have access to high-quality jobs."

World-class education and youth service programs

Excerpt: "It's critical that children across Michigan, especially those in District 2, have access to a high-quality school option in their neighborhood regardless of their socio-economic background. Fundamentally, this means ensuring that the schools have the resources to prepare our children to succeed in the 21st century."

Effective public transit for metropolitan Detroit

Excerpt: "Detroit and its closest neighbors, including Grosse Pointe, have fallen behind in the investment required to modernize the roads and support public transit options. In order to compete against other top-tier cities, the Detroit region needs a comprehensive, inclusive, and cost-effective public transit system."

Practical beautification of our main thoroughfares

Excerpt: "Blight removal and beautification along these corridors are important to our local commerce and security of our district, which will have spillover effects to our property values and quality of life."

Stronger collaboration between cities

Excerpt: "There are many collaborative policy initiatives we could adopt to cultivate this teamwork across the region, but more importantly, we must adopt a shared mindset about the success of our communities."