Ted Golden Trying Again to Earn Place in State House

Ted Golden is an advocate of individual rights — a persistently "outspoken" advocate, that is.

"Back when I was in the Navy, on my fitness report, there was one word: 'Outspoken,' " Golden said.

"I'm for a lot of positive changes for Michigan."

Golden, a dermatologist with a lifelong dream to be involved in politics, will use his persistence to try for a chance to represent Rochester, Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township in the 45th District's seat in the state House of Representatives this year.

Who he is

Golden, 69, lives in Rochester Hills with his wife, Rita, and has has six grown children. He moved to Rochester Hills six years ago from Bloomfield Township. He is running as a Democrat in the 45th District race. The seat is held by Republican Tom McMillin of Rochester Hills.

Golden graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1968; he worked for Sinai Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital before serving as a dermatologist in the U.S. Navy. He has operated his own dermatology practice since 1974 in Sterling Heights.

Golden calls himself a liberal on social issues but more conservative on fiscal issues.

What motivates him

"I've always been interested in politics, since the sixth grade," Golden said. He was also interested in medicine from an early age, so he said he was "following his life's plan" by going to school to be a doctor and then seeking a political office later in his life.

His longtime interest in politics was awakened by what he calls "abusive behavior" that he and his family experienced in the legal system during divorce proceedings with an ex-wife. Golden has written a number of articles about his experiences and has proposed solutions, all of which are outlined on his website.

Golden ran for the 45th District House seat in 2008 and for the 12th District Senate seat in 2010 (that seat is now held by Sen. Jim Marleau).

Golden is also motivated by his longtime advocacy of individual rights, which started when he worked as a medical resident at Henry Ford Hospital; at the time, he ran a clinic there and changed it from a first-come, first-served schedule to one where doctors saw patients based on appointment times.

While serving as a physician in the U.S. Navy, Golden said he advocated for changing the long-standing policy of only seeing patients if they had a physician's referral.

Golden's priorities

Golden is author of the Golden Eagle Oversight Amendment, a state constitutional amendment that would create an independently elected board to police the Michigan legal system, write court rules and administer the Michigan courts. "Attorneys should not police themselves," he said.

He also believes in a progressive income tax and has been an outspoken opponent of speed traps as a means to supplement district court revenue.

Golden said the state does not put enough money into public education and that "public schools haven't been responsive enough to the needs of some children," he said.

Two of Golden's children attended public schools; the others attended a private school. Golden said that one of his children was "very bright" and that, at the time, her public school's gifted program "was a joke."

"The schools have to be a little more responsive," he said.

Campaign plans

Golden said he doesn't have plans to run a big campaign — he works full time at his practice.

But still, he said he's busy researching solutions to things that are wrong with our state and our society. Last year, for example, his identification was stolen. He has been exploring ways to protect credit card users from similar situations.

Golden said McMillin is hardworking, but he questioned the incumbent's social agenda.

"A lot of what he advocates for is not very good," Golden said. "McMillin is very much against certain people. Unfortunately, Governor Snyder has been forced into supporting what McMillin advocates."

For more about Golden, visit tagolden.com.