By Dan Fowler, CQ Staff

Pronounced: SCHAU (rhymes with “now”)-ur

Election: Defeated Rep. Tim Walberg , R

Residence: Battle Creek

Born: Oct. 2, 1961; Howell, Mich.

Religion: Methodist

Family: Wife, Christine Schauer; three stepchildren

Education: Albion College, B.A. 1984 (Spanish & sociology); Western Michigan U., M.P.A. 1986; Michigan State U., M.A. 1996 (political science)

Career: Social services organization director; county planner

Political highlights: Candidate for Battle Creek City Commission, 1993; Battle Creek City Commission, 1994-97; Mich. House, 1997-2003; Mich. Senate, 2003-present (majority floor leader, 2003-06; minority leader, 2007-present)

Schauer says he will focus on creating economic opportunities for Michigan, a state that “has been uniquely hit by global competition and has an automotive sector that needs to get well.”

“I think it’s in our nation’s economic interest to help Ford, GM and Chrysler quickly transition to alternative-energy vehicles,” he says.

Transforming Michigan’s economy, he says, depends on creating tens of thousands of “green collar” jobs around technologies for energy and the environment. Schauer says he will seek a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by fellow Michigan Democrat John D. Dingell , whom Schauer calls a friend and mentor.

Schauer says the Agriculture panel would be a good fit because of the district’s “significant rural aspect,” and he also is interested in the Small Business Committee. “There are many entrepreneurial start-ups, particularly in the tech sector, that I’d like to have the opportunity to support through that committee,” he says. He and his wife recently opened their own small business, a resale women’s clothing boutique.