[2] Bolger was also appointed by former Governor Rick Snyder on December 29, 2016 to the Michigan Civil Service Commission and was elected chair on April 27, 2023.

[4] Prior to entering politics, Bolger founded (and continues to help operate) a small collections/skip tracing business that updates phone records for Fortune 100 companies.

An Eagle Scout, he has also been associated with AYSO Soccer, the Rotary Club, United Way, the KAAAP mentor program, Oaklawn Hospital, the Knights of Columbus and several Chambers of Commerce.

[12] He represented Michigan's 63rd legislative District, which included the eastern Kalamazoo County city of Galesburg and the townships of Brady, Charleston, Climax, Comstock, Kalamazoo, Pavilion, Richland, Ross and Wakeshma; as well as the central/southern Calhoun County city of Marshall, village of Athens, Burlington, Homer, Tekonsha and the townships of Athens, Burlington, Clarendon, Eckford, Emmett, Fredonia, Homer, Leroy, Marengo, Marshall, Newton and Tekonsha.

In addition to his private sector work, Bolger was appointed in 2016 to serve on the Michigan Civil Service Commission for a term ending December 31, 2024.

[15] Bolger was elected as House leader in 2011, during his time as Speaker numerous legislative packages that aided Michigan's recovery passed.

Specifically, the Michigan House has passed legislation to cut duplicative regulation, as well as reforming the tax structure and pension systems.

Tenure reform made it easier for a school district to fire ineffective teachers, and banned the last in first out approach previously utilized.

Those investments also will provide savings to our schools and communities years later as those students learn — and a decade later as they find success through working and don't enter our criminal justice system.

[31] In 2011, Bolger worked with Republicans in the house to pass tax, education and pension reform measures, and employers have responded positively to the changes.

[29] During Bolger's time as Speaker from 2011 through 2014, Michigan had the fifth highest job growth in the nation, and the state's unemployment rate decreased to 6.7 percent.

[18][36] The day Bolger was elected Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives he stated that fellow Republicans should join him in reviewing the potential for right-to-work legislation.

[38] Bolger worked with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and Governor Snyder to pass tax reform in the state.

[1][44] In his first year as Speaker, Bolger, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and Governor Rick Snyder worked to pass a budget which resulted in Michigan seeing a more than $450 million surplus.

[48] In October 2013, the Speaker visited Detroit with state Representative Harvey Santana, a Democrat from Michigan's 9th house district, and pledged to explore ways to fight crime, lower auto insurance rates and clean up the city.

[48] Also, since that visit the Speaker has worked with local Detroit representatives to garner support for scrap metal theft legislation and education reform.

[52] Bolger was quoted as saying "we are putting a strong team in place to resolve this difficult issue today with a vision for a bright future.

"[52] The committee introduced legislation to help Detroit avoid further bankruptcy litigation by offering a $194.8 million lump sum to the city's retirement systems.

[57] Bolger held firm to his request, and unions - the first was The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council - did agree to make material contributions towards health care costs to help with the Detroit bankruptcy settlement.

[71] Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina wrote that an exhaustive and diligent probe uncovered no crime or wrongdoing, and that an indictment was not warranted.

[73] Bolger authored an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press offering his apology to any offended voters and noted his error in judgment.