DEARBORN HEIGHTS – State Representative Julie Plawecki, 54, has passed away.

Her unexpected death occurred on Saturday, June 25 when she was hiking with her daughter in Oregon, where she suffered a heart attack, according to our sources.  

Plawecki was serving her first term in Michigan’s 11th House District, which covers portions of Dearborn Heights, Livonia, Westland and all of Inkster and Garden City. She was elected into the position in 2014. 

She served on two House committees: Energy and Natural Resources.

Plawecki is the wife of 20th District Court Judge Mark Plawecki.

State Senator David Knezek issued a statement on his Facebook, mourning her loss. 

“Plawecki was an absolutely outstanding public servant, beloved by all, and a fighter for her constituents,” he said. 

Before coming to the Michigan Legislature, Plawecki was a medical technologist, and a teacher of science, math and religion at elementary and secondary levels. She received her bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and her professional teaching certificate from the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

She was consistently involved in Project Dignity Outreach, a charitable group that feeds the homeless in Detroit every weekend.  

A special election for Michigan’s 11th House District will need to commence in order to fill Plawecki’s vacancy.