Representation Matters: Councilmember Randy Bruce
This is part of The Humanist’s monthly series highlighting openly nonreligious elected officials across the nation. Because of the work of the Center for Freethought Equality, the political and advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association, there are over 120 elected officials at the local, state, and federal level who identify with the atheist and humanist community serving in thirty-three states across the country. Join the Center for Freethought Equality to help politically empower the atheist and humanist community—membership is FREE!
The Center for Freethought Equality’s advances have been groundbreaking. Prior to the 2016 election, there were only five state legislators and no members of Congress who publicly identified with our community; because of its efforts, today we have seventy-seven state legislators and a member of Congress, Jared Huffman (CA-2), who publicly identify with our community. It is critical that our community connect and engage with the elected officials who represent our community and our values—you can see a list of these elected officials here.
Councilmember Randy Bruce
Representing Farmington Hills, Michigan
“We need to take care of people in the here and now, and to do the right thing, not because of some promise of a better afterlife, but because it is just the right thing to do for people right now.”
Born in Detroit, Councilmember Randy Bruce has called Farmington Hills his home for the last 33 years. A board-certified rehab psychologist, he earned his bachelor’s, a master’s and Ph.D. degree from Wayne State University.
He has served for sixteen years on the City Council, including three terms as mayor pro-tem. He also served eight years on the Farmington Hills Zoning Board of Appeals. During his time on the Council, he helped to establish a city water tower (that now saves rate-payers over $3 million per year), a dog park, and a water park. He resides in Farmington Hills with his wife, Jill.
Sarah Levin: What motivated you to run for office?
Randy Bruce: I wanted to help make Farmington Hills a safe, beautiful destination city for families and businesses, and to position us for future growth. I also wanted to ensure our ordinances and master plan were more forward thinking and modern.
Levin: What are your policy priorities and how does your nonreligious worldview impact your policy platform?
Bruce: My policy priorities are to make sure that my community is a safe and welcoming place for all people that want to live and work here. I want people to be able to lead their lives to their fullest potential, and to help one another and be able to raise their families here.
Levin: Why was it important for you to be open about your nonreligious identity?
Bruce: My nonreligious worldview means that I believe we have one life to live and we should try to do everything we can to make it count in a positive way. We need to take care of people in the here and now, and to do the right thing, not because of some promise of a better afterlife, but because it is just the right thing to do for people right now. Whatever we can do to decrease the hardship of others, to lift other people up, and make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to be safe and healthy should be the goal for everyone.
Levin: How did voters respond (if at all) to your openness about your nonreligious identity?
Bruce: I have never hidden my nonreligious identity, but rarely does anyone ask. If they do, then I am honest with them. I am a scientist, and I believe in facts, not faith, but I support other peoples’ freedom to believe in whatever they want to believe in. I just want people to have the freedom to live their lives how they want, and not have to live it in a way that has to fit someone else’s belief system. I have a very strong moral code as to what is right and wrong, I don’t have to go to church, temple or mosque to develop or strengthen my morals and values, I am very consistent in these and my behavior towards others.
To learn more about Councilmember Randy Bruce