Endorsements

The Detroit News: Our support in the GOP race goes to newcomer David Auwen... Click here for more information on David's endorsements.

Detroit Free Press: DAVID AUWEN is the class of the field. He has a master's degree in diplomacy... Click here for more information on David's endorsements.

It's a Girl!

Emma Elizabeth Auwen arrived May 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and 20 inches.

Yard Signs

We are currently looking for yard sign locations throughout the 32nd District. If you are interested in getting a yard sign for your yard, visit Get Involved.

Intern Opportunities

Interested in a political campaign intern position? Click here to download the form to apply.

David's Biography

Growing Up › Youth Leadership › Military Service › Education › Family

Growing Up

Dave was raised with a respect for hard work and service to country by his mother who retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant after twenty four years of service. His Mother was transferred to Selfridge ANG base in 1989 and Dave has called Chesterfield and northern Macomb County home ever since. Dave has built a strong middle-class household through years of hard work and dedication working his first job at the McDonalds on 23 Mile and I-94 at age 14 and has worked nearly continuous ever since.
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Youth Leadership

Dave was a youth leader in several programs that he participated in. As a Boy Scout Dave served as a camp counselor for a summer and held leadership roles as an assistant patrol leader and patrol leader with his troop eventually earning the rarely attained Eagle Scout rank.

Youth Dave was also very active with the Macomb County Young Marines where he was the senior ranking Young Marine throughout Michigan and one of the senior ranking Young Marines in the nation earning the rank of Sergeant Major. Dave earned numerous awards for community service and leadership and was recognized as the 1994 Michigan Young Marine of the Year.

In the Anchor Bay High School Air Force Junior ROTC, Dave was selected as the cadet Commander during his junior and senior years earning the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. He was named cadet of the year during both his junior and senior years and was also recognized with numerous other awards for leadership and community service.

Dave was one of three students selected to represent Anchor Bay High School at the 1994 American Legion Michigan Boys State program held in Lansing, where students were given hands on experience in running local and state government. He was also one of two students selected from Anchor Bay to attend the 1994 National Youth Leadership Forum on Security and Defense held in Washington DC, which focused on military leadership.
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Military Service

The natural progression for Dave was to enlist in the Marine Corps which he did in 1997 after attending Macomb Community College for two years. As a reservist Dave served with the 1st Battalion 24th Marine Regiment out of Detroit and as a Recruiters Aide in the Mt Clemens recruiting office where he was recognized as the Recruiters Aide of the year for FY 1998 and was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his recruiting efforts.

As a Corporal, Dave applied and was accepted to the Active Reserves and served as the Intelligence Chief for Marine Wing Support Group-47 stationed on Selfridge ANG base from 2000-2002. During this time he served as the Color’s Sergeant, responsible for organizing and participating in numerous community outreach programs throughout Macomb County. While stationed at Selfridge he served as the Commanding Officer of the Macomb County Young Marines and was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for sustained community service. Dave was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for saving the life of a drowning Young Marine during a campout in 2000, the Army Achievement Medal was awarded by the Army garrison for his efforts on joint color-guards and he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his meritorious service while providing intelligence and security training for over 2,500 Marines at twelve different site locations.

Dave transitioned to regular active duty in 2002 and as a Sergeant was transferred to the 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California. During his time there he served as the Intelligence Analysis Chief of the Division forward command and Task Force Tripoli supporting Operation Southern Watch and the initial invasion of Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dave was awarded his second Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in recognition of his expert knowledge of the enemy and analytical abilities during combat operations.

Iraq Following the initial invasion of Iraq, Dave was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was transferred to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment to serve as the Battalion Intelligence Chief. He deployed again after a short period of training to Okinawa and then to Iraq where he directly participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve, intense urban combat in Al Fallujah following the ambush of Blackwater contractors in the city in April 2004. Dave was awarded the Combat Action ribbon and his third Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, being cited for providing valuable and actionable intelligence in a dynamic battlefield.

Dave currently serves at the Navy / Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has served as an Intelligence Instructor and Course Coordinator for the entry level Marines coming into the Intelligence Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and has taught over 1000 Marines the skills necessary to provide intelligence support in a combat environment. During his time at the NMITC Dave has earned his Master Training Specialist designation and was responsible for rewriting the entire twelve week curriculum in an effort to modernize Marine Corps intelligence training.

Dave feels he has accomplished the goals that he set out to achieve when he transitioned from the Reserves to Active duty and will therefore transfer back into the Marine Corps Reserves and continue to serve his community and country in a unit at Selfridge ANG base in the fall of 2008.
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Education

Dave attended Anchor Bay schools from the 7th grade until graduating from Anchor Bay High School in 1995. He attended Macomb Community College focusing on criminal justice until he joined the Marine Corps in 1997. Between volunteer work, deployments Family and spending time with his family Dave finished his Bachelors degree in Intelligence Studies with a concentration in Terrorism Studies from the American Military University in 2006. Dave is also working to complete his Masters Degree in Diplomacy with a concentration in International Conflict Management from Norwich University which he will finish in the fall of 2008.
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Family

Dave is married to Erin Auwen (MacDonald) formerly of Roseville, MI and they are expecting their first child in May 2008. Dave also has a beautiful 11 year old daughter, Gabrielle, who lives in Chesterfield Township and attends Lottie M. Schmidt elementary.
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