Tony Trupiano, Candidate for U.S. Congress (MI-11)

Tony was unsuccessful in his 2006 bid to overtake the Republican incumbent in last year's elections. He is still stumping hard for working families through his radio show. 

Tony Trupiano was born in Detroit, Michigan in March of 1961 the grandson of Italian immigrants who initially settled in Milford, Michigan in the early 1900’s.  Tony’s connection to Michigan’s 11th Congressional District not only has history but geography on his side.  Tony is a 1980 graduate of Lakeland High School in Milford, Michigan, where he and his one brother (deceased) and three sisters were raised.  As a small business owner Tony successfully ran and operated two restaurants, one in Pontiac, Michigan and one in Waterford, Michigan.  

In 1990 Tony married his wife Anne, and by 1993 was enjoying raising their children Christopher (23), Anthony (15), and Dominic (12).  Tony’s son Christopher recently received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy and currently serves in the Naval Reserves.  In 1995 the Trupiano family moved to Dearborn Heights, Michigan where Tony’s career began to transition from the owner of a small Public Relations firm into his most recent career as a nationally syndicated radio show host.   

Over the course of the last decade, Tony enjoyed considerable success as a national morning show host, moving into overnights in 1998.  Tony’s evolution into political talk was solidified on September 11, 2001 when his then employer, Boston-based Talk America Radio Network, called upon him to host a marathon nine hour live radio broadcast.  From that point on Tony has dedicated every single hour of his program to the fundamental ideas and truths of the Democratic Party and his values as a passionate Progressive.

Tony is considered by many to be the voice of the middle class and his reputation is well known as the voice for labor.  Whether taking his show to cover unfair labor practices or walking the picket line or sitting at the negotiation table as a member of organized labor,  Tony has and always will believe that the only safety net between the middle class and poverty is unions; a relationship that must be protected and strengthened.  

Tony’s activism came of age while he was a student at Alma College in the early 1980’s.  Through his leadership Tony has left a permanent mark as he successfully lobbied the college administration to computerize the student newspaper, an investment that pays dividends to this day. Under Tony’s leadership while a student at Alma College, a social revolution took place on campus as he and six of his classmates in a protest over hazing by fraternities and sororities founded the Sigma Cha fraternity, where Tony was elected as its Founding President. As a result the Greek system at Alma College adopted new rules and regulations for acceptable behavior, and the values that Tony and his founding fraternity brothers instilled on campus have created the strongest fraternity on Alma’s campus today.  

While serving as the elected president of Alma’s Student Congress Tony, along with a select group of students, rewrote the constitution and bylaws of student governance at Alma College. That document guides Alma students to this day.  As a student member of the Alma College Board of Trustees, Tony served along with such great American’s as ABC newsman Ted Koppel and award winning musician George Shearing.   

From 1985 until 1992, Tony was the owner/operator of two restaurants in Oakland County, Michigan.  While serving this community, Tony was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the North Oakland Medical Center.  In addition to this civic duty, Tony was active with many community groups for underprivileged children.  In 1993, Tony was also appointed (state appointment) to the Oakland County Foster Care Review Board (a Board that determined if children in Foster Care should be returned to the homes they were removed from).  Tony sold both restaurants to concentrate his efforts on his Public Relations firm, and to spend more time with his growing family.

Tony was also the Drama Director at his High School alma matter, Lakeland High School, for two years.

As a public speaker, Tony has spoken to many diverse groups and organizations.  His motivational message has moved many people to become more personally engaged in society, and have moved many to social and political activism as well.  

Through Tony’s work on the radio, his guest list is a “Who’s Who” of pop culture and the political arena.  Comfortable talking any issue, Tony has been credited with making the most difficult issues understandable to everyone.  Never afraid of asking the tough questions and demanding answers, Tony has helped shape the public debate on issues for over a decade.  Passionate about Health Care, Labor, Education, Civil Rights, Senior issues, Social Security (hands off, thank you!) and many others issues, Tony’s voice provides leadership and authority.  

As a moderator of many Town Hall Meetings and as a participant as well, Tony’s progressive ideas have helped bridge the gap between myth and fact as it relates to the political arena.  Clearly willing to explore all sides of an issue, Tony prides himself on independence, while embracing Democratic ideas.  

Tony’s Progressive voice has also seen him appear on many radio shows as a guest, and his commentary and opinions have been sought after by news organizations like Fox News.  

Tony Trupiano is the author of two books, The Best Deals in America Today (1995, out of print) and The Emancipation of Thomas J. Everyman: Ten Step to Discovering Your Personal Power (2002, Author House http://www.1stBooks.com/bookview/10116).  

Tony believes the Congressional race in Michigan’s 11th District is not just about this District, but about a bigger battle: the battle for America.  As Tony prepares for his battle, it is important you understand that this is your battle, too.

Tony's webpage

Feel free to contact Tony with your ideas and issues at tony@tony4congress2006.com.