Jim Runestad

State Rep. Jim Runestad was elected to the Michigan legislature in 2014 representing the 44th District, which includes the residents of Highland, White Lake, Springfield, Milford and parts of Waterford Township, as well as the Village of Milford. After completing a B.S. in Education from Central Michigan University Rep Runestad spent time working as an educator before launching his own insurance company. He served an Oakland County commissioner, where he was chairman of the Public Services Committee and Planning & Building Committee. During his six-year tenure, Runestad worked with various county commissions to improve the level of Friend of the Court services.
Rep. Runestad’s major accomplishments in his first term include the passage of civil asset forfeiture reform and reforms in foster care and adoption laws. Over the next term he is continuing work with the Michigan Judges Association and the Family Law Section to find meaningful solutions to end the family wars, supporting shared parenting models with more predictable outcomes, reducing trauma and creating more conformity across counties in Michigan. Runestad and his wife, Kathy, reside in White Lake and Waterford. Between them they have raised five children: Joel, Justin, Lena, Lee and Kayla.