He previously served as the Assistant Minority Leader during his first term in the Michigan Senate (2007–2010). Prior to being elected to the Michigan Senate, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives (2003–2006) where he was the Minority Whip (2005–2006).
In his previous stint as a senator, he had previously held the role of Deputy Minority Leader from 2007 to 2010. Prior to being elected to the Michigan Senate, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2006, where he was the Minority Floor Leader from 2005 to 2006.