James Michael Slezak is a Michigan politician who served in the Michigan state House of Representatives. Political career In 2008, Slezak won election to the Michigan state House of Representatives from the 50th District, defeating incumbent Ted Hammon in the Democratic primary. In 2010, Slezak ran in the 26th State Senate District to replace the term-limited Deborah Cherry. He lost the primary to Paula Zelenko, who in turn lost the general election to Republican David B. Robertson. Switching parties, Slezak in 2012 ran as a Republican for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated after 36 years by Dale Kildee; he was defeated in the general election by Kildee's nephew Dan. References Living people Michigan Democrats Michigan Republicans Members of the Michigan House of Representatives Yale University alumni 1966 births People from Muskegon, Michigan People from Genesee County, Michigan 21st-century American politicians