Occupation / Current Position
State Representative
Education
Northern Michigan University - Bachelor of Political Science, 2011, University of Michigan - Master of Public Administration, 2018, Harvard Kennedy School - David Bohnett Leaders Fellow, 2025
Qualifications and Experience
State Representative, Washtenaw County Commissioner, Board Chair Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees
As a former teacher and university trustee, I know education changes lives. We recently passed Michigan’s largest education budget, protected free school meals, and overhauled the formula to fund schools based on student need rather than zip code, while paying off crushing debts in majority-minority districts. To build on this, we must give educators competitive pay, stronger benefits, and better working conditions to reduce shortages and burnout. We must also stop over-relying on high-stakes standardized tests that measure socioeconomic status rather than growth, and expand career tech programs.
Every Michigander deserves a fair shot at a good life, but right now, too many families are working harder than ever just to keep up with the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and groceries. My focus is on building an economy where everyone can thrive by lowering costs, raising wages, expanding opportunity, and making government work for everyday people. We do this by investing in public education and pathways to great careers. Together, we can tackle affordability by boldly investing in workforce housing, expanding childcare, lowering transit costs, capping drug prices, and holding corporate utilities accountable.
Michigan must deliver reliable, affordable energy while fiercely protecting our air, water, Great Lakes, and climate. For too long, monopoly utilities have prioritized profits while families face soaring rates and constant outages. I brought my commitment to this fight locally, helping establish our first county Environmental Council to build a roadmap toward a carbon-neutral community by 2030. In Lansing, I am leading the charge to hold corporate polluters accountable and protect our natural resources. I am also working to ensure affordable, reliable, clean energy that lowers bills for families, built by good-paying union labor.
Our constitutional rights must be fiercely defended for every resident, including noncitizens. In Lansing, I oppose local law enforcement being weaponized to assist ICE with warrantless roundups, surveillance, or database-sharing that fuels profiling and tears families apart. True due process means expanding legal defense resources so everyone understands their rights and is treated with fairness and respect. Government works best when people can safely interact with public services and live without fear. I will always stand up for the dignity of our neighbors and never stay silent while politicians use cruelty as a strategy.
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