Biography:


David Takitaki is a native of West Michigan with a lifelong commitment to positive change. Born to Spring Lake native Kathleen Barbrick and Tongan immigrant Michael Takitaki, David owes his curly hair and perpetual tan to his Father's Polynesian heritage. Contrary to urban legend, he is not a prince.

As someone who was always interested in helping others and making a difference in the world, David found writing about the world and its ills to be a rewarding process. After sharing his work with the advisor of his high school newspaper he was given an editorial column in which to express his views. This column sparked his interest in journalism, which led to his choice to major in Communications.

David began his collegiate career at Grand Valley State University in 1996. Shortly after beginning classes David was forced to withdraw from school due to his family's financial troubles, but he always maintained a passion for learning. Over the next several years David worked as a video clerk, a factory worker, a security officer and as a nightclub manager before resuming his education at Muskegon Community College. As he resumed his education David quickly realized that his interest in communications was based on the idea that he wanted to write about politics. After only a year of studies at Muskegon Community College David transferred to Michigan State University where he went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.

His desire for knowledge unsatisfied, David gained acceptance into the Ph.D. program in political science at Western Michigan University. While continuing to fill his intellectual portfolio at Western, David was also hired to teach political science at the college that re-launched his academic career; Muskegon Community College. Shortly thereafter both David tapped into his journalistic background and began hosting two local television shows. Both "A Novel Conversation", a current events show about politics, and "Essentials of Democracy", an educational program about American Government, also feature MCC instructor Kurt Troutman and air on MCC's TV98.


It wasn't long before other institutions began to notice David's depth of knowledge and ability to communicate information in convincing ways. These traits made him very desirable as an educator, and after seeing David in a single presentation Adrian College offered him a position with their Communications and Political Science departments. Since 2008 David has been instrumental in the meteoric rise of Adrian College's simulation diplomacy program, a program recently recognized for excellence at a national conference in Washington D.C.

In addition to his professional life, David has been a singer and songwriter for many years. He and longtime friend Mike Borgerding formed a music group entitled "Beyond Awaits" in July of 2006. Their first album, "The Contemporary Requiem" was a musical journey through the grieving process and a charity project for Harbor Hospice of Muskegon County. The album is dedicated to David's mother Kathleen Barbrick and Mike's father John Borgerding, both of whom died after battling cancer. Beyond Awaits returned to the studio in 2008 and their second album, "Chapter Two: A Brighter Day", features a diverse, upbeat selection of music and is due for release in the summer of 2010.

Despite the opportunities presented to him elsewhere, David has maintained his connection to West Michigan. He has lived in the area all his life (with brief periods of co-location for his educational pursuits and an 8 month trip to his father's homeland of Tonga) and is proud to call the 92nd District home. After seeing many of his friends and neighbors lose their jobs and face uncertain futures, David decided to put his knowledge of the legislative process, critical eye for policy and powerful argumentative skills to work for the people of the 92nd District. No other candidate can boast David's combination of passion, eloquence, education, communicative skill and talent for consensual debate.


For now, David's path is uncertain. Whether his future will take him to Lansing or elsewhere is up to the voters of the 92nd District. On August 3rd "Think Big!" and make David Takitaki the 2010 Democratic nominee for State Representative in the 92nd District.