Dave Trott

David A. Trott is a former U.S. Representative who served Michigan's 11th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party during his time in office, Trott has since identified as an independent. His professional background is rooted in law and business, where he held various leadership roles prior to his congressional tenure. Trott's legislative work focused on a range of issues, including financial services, foreign affairs, and immigration.

Early life and career

David A. Trott was born on October 16, 1960. He completed his secondary education at Cranbrook Schools, graduating in 1978. Following high school, Trott pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1981. He continued his studies at the Duke University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1985.

Trott's professional career began in the legal field, where he became the chairman and CEO of Trott & Trott PC, a law firm that specializes in representing banks and lenders in foreclosure and bankruptcy litigation. In addition to his law practice, he is the owner of Attorneys Title Agency LLC and its subsidiaries, and he co-owns Dietz Trott Sports & Entertainment. His business interests also include Trott Recovery Services, and he has held leadership positions at NDeX, a company involved in legal services, as well as affiliations with Detroit Legal News Publishing, the U.S. Foreclosure Network, and First American Financial Corporation.

Beyond his legal and business endeavors, Trott has been actively involved in various community organizations. He has served on the boards of institutions such as the University of Michigan, On My Own, the Detroit Country Day School, The Community House, and the Karmanos Cancer Institute. His engagement in civic activities also included a candidacy for the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees in 2012. Trott has been recognized for his contributions to the community, with his legal career profiled in local media.

In the political arena, Trott has been a significant figure within the Republican Party. He chaired the Oakland County Lincoln Day Dinner, a fundraising event for the party, and has been a notable donor to the Republican National Committee as well as to the presidential campaigns of candidates like John McCain and Mitt Romney.

House tenure

Trott's political career in the U.S. House of Representatives began with his election to represent Michigan's 11th congressional district. He announced his candidacy on September 4, 2013, challenging the incumbent, Kerry Bentivolio. Trott's campaign received endorsements from various organizations, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the United States Chamber of Commerce, along with support from numerous individuals and elected officials.

During the Republican primary, Trott demonstrated a significant financial advantage over Bentivolio, having contributed over $2.4 million of his own funds to his campaign. His financial resources allowed him to outspend his opponent substantially, leading to his victory in the primary election held on August 5, 2014. Following his primary win, Trott faced Democratic candidate Bobby McKenzie in the general election, where he successfully secured his seat in Congress.

Trott was re-elected in 2016, winning against Democrat Anil Kumar, Libertarian Jonathan Ray Osment, and Independent Kerry Bentivolio. However, in September 2017, Trott announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018, concluding his tenure in the House on January 3, 2019.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in Congress, Trott served on several key committees, including the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Within the Committee on Foreign Affairs, he was a member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats, as well as the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally, he was part of the Committee on the Judiciary, where he served on the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security and the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law.

Trott's legislative focus encompassed a variety of issues. He was an advocate for school choice programs and supported measures aimed at gun control. He also expressed support for the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage. However, during his second term, he became critical of some of President Donald Trump's policies, particularly regarding foreign affairs, trade, and immigration.

In matters of national security, Trott supported the executive order issued by President Trump in 2017, which imposed a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. for citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. He justified his support by emphasizing the need for thorough vetting of refugees to ensure the safety of Americans. Nonetheless, he later expressed regret for backing certain policies related to refugees.

Trott's approach to healthcare included a vote in favor of repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) and supporting the passage of the American Health Care Act. He publicly criticized President Trump for being "unhelpful" in the healthcare debate.

In March 2017, Trott was involved in a notable incident during a town hall meeting, where he and an aide were recorded discussing how to manage public perception of negative feedback regarding military funding. This incident drew attention to his communication strategies and the challenges faced by politicians in addressing constituents' concerns.

Throughout his congressional career, Trott was a member of several caucuses, including the United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus, the Climate Solutions Caucus, the Republican Main Street Partnership, and the Problem Solvers Caucus. These affiliations reflect his engagement with various legislative initiatives and his efforts to collaborate with colleagues across party lines.

David A. Trott's career in the U.S. House of Representatives was marked by his legal background, business acumen, and a focus on a diverse array of legislative issues, contributing to the political landscape of Michigan and the nation during his time in office.