After obtaining her teaching certificate, she accepted a position with the Saginaw Public School system and taught at Central Middle and Saginaw High schools while coaching girls' basketball. Upon her graduation from law school, Oakes accepted a position with the Michigan House of Representatives as a policy analyst. She was later appointed to the Michigan Attorney General's office, serving under both Jennifer Granholm and Mike Cox. As an assistant attorney general, she prosecuted and defended cases throughout the state of Michigan. In February 2010, Oakes was appointed to the MSU College of LawBoard of Trustees. Currently, Oakes serves as lead developer of Erwin Properties, LLC, which developed Erwin Senior Estates in Buena Vista Township.
Political career
Oakes was elected as State Representative for the 95th District in a November 2010 special election to fill the remainder of the term for the seat vacated by Andy Coulouris. Under Michigan's legislative term limits, Coulouris was eligible for one additional term as a State Representative. As opposed to running for reelection in 2010, Coulouris instead announced that he would not seek a third term. With the departure of Oakes' predecessor and her subsequent election to the Michigan House of Representatives, she served in the legislature for the lame duck session of 2010. In that election, she won a full term of her own which began in January 2011. In December 2011, Oakes appeared as a guest on Off the Record , a weekly, political talk program broadcast statewide on PBS member stations throughout Michigan. Off The Record is hosted by Michigan's senior capitol correspondent, Tim Skubick. The topic of discussion included Michigan's Medical Marijuana law and Oakes' future political ambitions. Oakes sits on the House Agricultural Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. In addition, she also sits on the Michigan Legislative Council. She ran for a second term as State Representative for the 95th district in the November 2012 general election. In August 2012, Oakes was appointed to fill a vacancy on the House Transportation Committee. In February 2012, it was announced that Rep. Oakes would be a member of Obama for America's Truth Team. The Truth Team intends to secure grassroots and online supporters to promote President Barack Obama’s presidential achievements while holding Republicans accountable. On November 6, 2012, Rep. Oakes was reelected to a second term, defeating her opponent with 77.53% of the vote. Oakes ran unsuccessfully for Michigan's 32nd district Senate seat in 2014, but was soundly defeated by now-Senator Ken Horn.
Post political career
Oakes was appointed by Flint Mayor Karen Weaver as the city of Flint's chief legal officer in April 2016. In accepting the job, she said that playing a crucial role in the Flint saga was important for her because everything else depends on how she and her team approach the legal challenges ahead. Mayor Weaver praised Oakes for her abilities: "Stacy is held in high regard by the legal community. In a statement on January 3, 2017, Mayor Weaver's office confirmed that the city had "parted ways" with City Attorney Oakes but did not provide any additional details. According to her termination letter, Weaver questioned Oakes leadership and her ability to lead the department: "The effectiveness of your management and oversight of the City of Flint's Legal Department is questionable and I lack confidence in your leadership." It was reported on April 3, 2017 that Oakes had filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against Weaver and the city of Flint, alleging she was dismissed for objecting to "fraudulent legal documents" and other illegal acts.
Personal life
Representative Oakes is the daughter of James and Maggie Erwin. She is the youngest girl of six sisters and six brothers. Oakes and her husband, attorney Michael Oakes, have two children, Michael II and Kingston. They worship at New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Saginaw.
