Michigan State Rep. Plawecki Dies At Age 54

LANSING, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - First-term state Rep. Julie Plawecki of Dearborn Heights has died. She was 54.

State Sen. David Knezek, a fellow Democrat from Dearborn Heights, announced Plawecki's death late Saturday night on Facebook. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel released a statement Sunday saying the caucus was deeply saddened by her death.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Plawecki died of an apparent heart attack while hiking with her daughters in Oregon.

Plawecki was elected in 2014 to represent Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Garden City and parts of Westland and Livonia. She was running unopposed in the August primary.

Before becoming a state representative, Plawecki was a medical technologist and a teacher.

She is survived by her husband, Mark, a Wayne County district judge, and three adult daughters.

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