For Adam Stacey, the path to public policy advocacy was forged in the fields of his family’s 170-year-old farm and the monuments of our nation’s capital. As director of legislative affairs at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, he brings decades of experience in politics and governance, coupled with a deep-rooted passion for free-market principles.

Born in Bad Axe, Michigan, Adam had anything but a stationary upbringing. His father worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the family moved frequently. The moves exposed Adam to different communities: preschool in Haslett, elementary school in Bowie, Maryland, and high school in Chenango Bridge, New York. Adam developed an appreciation for governance and public service. Though he has lived around the country, Michigan remains his true home. He returned for undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and now lives in the Lansing area.

“Visiting the monuments and museums of Washington, D.C., as a young child definitely left an impression on me,” Adam says. “I’m also a history buff who has walked many battlefields of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars where the struggle for liberty was contested. This inspired me to work to advance the American republic. Watching Michael J. Fox’s portrayal of (the conservative character) Alex P. Keaton every week on ‘Family Ties’ didn’t hurt either.”

For 25 years, Adam worked in the Michigan Legislature, serving in various roles for state senators and representatives, as well as in caucus policy and communications offices. He also has been an elected official, serving four years on a township board and 14 years as a county commissioner. Those experiences give him insights into the needs of elected officials at multiple levels of government.

In 2023, Adam joined the Mackinac Center, where he reviews legislation, monitors legislative committees, and coordinates efforts with policymakers to advance free-market policies.

“For decades, I’ve been a fan of how Mackinac Center staffers eloquently articulate their policy positions in concise, clear statements,” he says. “I wanted to join the team and put into practice sound public policy that will create a foundation of success for Michiganders for years to come.”

Adam meets with lawmakers to advance the Mackinac Center’s policy agenda, helps put on educational events at the Freedom Embassy in Lansing and mentors younger staffers on the philosophy of limited government.

“I find the most satisfaction in educating young staffers in Lansing and helping them ask the right question about legislation — whether it will advance liberty and prosperity,” he says.

Adam’s passion for strategy extends beyond policy. He enjoys playing modern Euro-style board games and has run a fantasy football league for 25 years. His wife shares his hobby of rockhounding, which takes them on long camping trips. He is also the proud father of three children, two currently in college and one preparing for the next chapter.