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United States Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan

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Biography

Born and raised in Michigan, Senator Debbie Stabenow knows what matters to Michigan. She has become one of our state’s most influential and accomplished leaders, leading the fight on jobs and manufacturing issues, and becoming the Senate’s “go to” person on the issue of health care and prescription drugs.

Senator Stabenow believes that what is happening to Michigan’s economy is threatening our entire middle class way-of-life. She is fighting for new laws to crack down on countries violating our trade laws, to protect our pensions and to reduce health care costs. She knows that we must invest in education and innovation to give our children opportunities to compete. With a level playing field, she knows Michigan can compete with any country in the world.

Senator Stabenow has already achieved important successes in the U.S. Senate, leading efforts to pass a $2 billion tax cut for manufacturers who create jobs in the U.S. rather than outsourcing jobs overseas; stopping the Bush Administration’s effort to double prescription drug co-pays for 39,739 Michigan veterans; and authoring the first ever federal ban on drilling for oil and gas in our Great Lakes. To reduce our dependence on foreign oil, Senator Stabenow has successfully fought for tax incentives to develop alternative fuels, including ethanol from Michigan crops.

She has mobilized thousands of citizens in the fight to stop the dumping of Canadian trash in Michigan. Her law requiring that high-tech equipment be used to search Canadian trash trucks crossing Michigan’s borders has resulted in trash trucks being regularly turned away. She fought to increase Michigan’s fair share of funding for roads and bridges by $239 million, bringing 61,500 new jobs to the state.

From money for new hospital emergency rooms and community health centers, to allowing volunteer and part-time emergency responders to be reimbursed for homeland security training, to bringing home critical funding for jobs and transportation, she has gotten the job done for our communities. Senator Stabenow’s leadership was recognized in 2005 by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs who both awarded her their 2005 Legislator of the Year award.

Senator Stabenow serves on the powerful Budget Committee; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; and the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.

As a State Legislator, Stabenow was acclaimed one of Michigan’s most passionate advocates for children and an expert in family law and small business issues. Her influence as a State Legislator is evident throughout Michigan law – from Michigan’s historic property tax cut and small business reforms, to nationally acclaimed legislation to protect children and families.

Born on April 29, 1950, Senator Stabenow grew up in the small town of Clare, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University, where she received her Bachelor's (1972) and Masters (1975) degrees. She worked with youth in the public schools before running for public office.

Debbie Stabenow made history in 2000 when she became the first woman from the State of Michigan elected to the United States Senate. Inspired to first run for office by the closing of a local nursing home, she was elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners in 1974 and was the youngest person and first woman to chair the Board (1977 78). She was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where she served for twelve years (1979 90) and rose in leadership, becoming the first woman to preside over the House. She served in the State Senate for four years (1991 94). Elected to Congress in 1996 representing Michigan’s Eighth Congressional District, she won election to the U.S. Senate four years later.

Senator Stabenow’s home is in Lansing where she resides with her husband, Tom Athans. She has two grown children, Todd and Michelle, and one stepdaughter, Gina. She is a lifelong United Methodist and a member of Grace United Methodist Church.