Michael V. Radtke Jr. was elected to his third term on the Sterling Heights City Council in 2021.
Sterling Heights is the fourth largest city in Michigan, with a population of just over 134,000 residents.
Prior to his election, Michael spent the early part of his career working as a community organizer,
public relations consultant, and political activist.
As a Sterling Heights Councilman, Michael has strongly advocated for progressive city policies,
including the creation of diversity, equity, and inclusion program, an urban tree reforestation initiative,
improvements to public safety staffing, and a new master plan focused on walkability and pedestrian
safety.
A small business owner, policy adviser, and communications director, Michael graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Michigan, and earned graduate
degrees in international & world history from Columbia University and the London School of
Economics.
His dissertation, entitled, Operation Third Force: The Red Menace, McCarythyism, and U.S. Central
Activities in China during the Korean War, 1947-52, explored how political pressure influenced
intelligence gathering on communist-controlled China, and how biased intelligence influenced the
creation of a covert action program that ended tragically.
Michael started working on political campaigns at the age of 19, as a communications assistant for
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and never looked back. Michael now runs his own company,
Wolverine Strategies, specializing in advising clients on crisis communications, press relations,
political operations, ad creation, and electoral politics. He also serves as liaison with the strong union
community throughout Michigan.
A lifelong world traveler, Michael has explored 27 countries, and lived abroad in both Frankfurt am
Main, Germany, and London, United Kingdom. No matter where Michael has been, he knows in his
heart that Sterling Heights—where his family lives—will always be home.
