Trent Stupak recently announced his candidacy for Delta County District Court Judge. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA — After 24 years counseling clients and litigating their cases, Attorney Trenton M. Stupak is seeking to be elected the next Delta County District Court Judge.

“My 24-year career has provided sufficient time to learn, time to counsel, time to litigate and time to fully appreciate the role of a judge in our judicial process. Now is my time to serve,” Trent stated.

The current Delta County District Court Judge is the Honorable Steven C. Parks. After first serving 10 years as prosecuting attorney, Judge Parks went on to serve two terms as District Court Judge. During his time on the bench, he implemented the first Sobriety Court in Delta County. If elected, Stupak is firmly committed to putting in the work to continue the success of Parks’ Sobriety Court.

Stupak has practiced law primarily in Delta County’s District, Circuit and Probate Courts. He has also appeared for clients in 13 of the 15 Upper Peninsula counties, federal court in both the Western and Eastern District of Michigan, Michigan Appellate Courts, several Tribal Courts in the U.P. and the State of Wisconsin.

Throughout his career, Stupak has handled countless jury and bench trials, as well as preliminary examinations, pleas and sentencings. His trial experience includes criminal cases for clients charged with life felonies, civil cases involving significant personal injury and wrongful death, divorce cases involving the custody of children and substantial financial outcomes, and disputes involving real estate and other property rights. On behalf of his clients, Stupak has participated in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including facilitative mediation, case evaluation, and arbitration.

Trent Stupak was born and raised in Delta County by his parents, Frank and Penny Stupak. Trent graduated from Escanaba Area High School in 1994. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science-Pre-Law with honor from Michigan State University in 1998 then continued on to earn his law degree from Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law.

On Nov. 9, 2001, Trent was admitted to practice law by the State Bar of Michigan and sworn in by the Honorable Stephen T. Davis, the former Delta County Circuit Court Judge.

Trent married Amy Schulkins in 2003. Amy has been a teacher in the Escanaba Area Public Schools system since 2003 and has taught for 25 years. Trent and Amy reside in Escanaba with their two children Spencer, 15, and Camryn, 12. Outside the courtroom, Trent spends his leisure time cheering for his children in their athletic endeavors. The Stupaks are members of All Saints Catholic Church where Spencer and Camryn are altar servers.

Trent’s entire family is long rooted in Delta County. His grandfather, Frank A. Stupak, Sr., was chair of the Delta County Board of Commissioners, mayor of Gladstone and superintendent of Big Bay de Noc Schools. Trent’s law practice is shared with his father Frank who has been practicing law in Delta County for the past 54 years, and Trent’s uncle Bart Stupak served as a State Legislator and a United States Congressman for 20 years.

Trent has participated as a member of the Escanaba Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, U.P. Whitetails Association, Wildlife Unlimited, Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fisherman, and the YMCA. He has twice co-chaired the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

Trent has been the local director of the Escanaba Elks Hoop Shoot Contest for the past several years and has sponsored and assisted coaching in various youth travel sports. He was nominated and elected Delta County Bar Association President, and he has been a member of the Upper Michigan Legal Institute Committee and the U.P. Trial Skills Workshop Committee.

“The legal knowledge and trial experience gained over the past 24 years, personal involvement in the Delta County community and family history of service will be an asset to Delta County in rendering judgement on the important legal matters that come before the District Court,” said Stupak. “I ask for your vote as your next Delta County District Court Judge. I’m ready to serve.”