Biographical Information
Campaign Twitter Handle
Occupation / Current Position
State Representative, 69th District
Education
B.A. in International Relations from Michigan State University. Graduate of Powers Catholic High School.
Qualifications and Experience
In my first two terms, I worked to repeal the pension tax, expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, pass education reforms that prioritize the science of reading, and established free school breakfast and
EDUCATION: How do you evaluate Michigan’s current education system in terms of quality, funding, the teacher workforce and standardized testing? What changes, if any, would you propose or support?
If someone thinks that our education system is working, they may need to check their homework. Michigan ranks 44th in literacy. When we do not invest in education, we are not investing in the future. For K-12, I have championed a return to the science of reading and phonics in elementary schools and increases in dual enrollment opportunities for high school. I have also worked to tackle the rising cost of tuition at college and improve access to skilled trades programs. We need to reverse decades of underinvestment by bringing more educators into the workforce, helping kids understand the fundamentals, and keeping our workforce competitive.
ECONOMY: What policy initiatives do you support for residents to earn a living wage and address the overall question of affordability across Michigan?
Michigan needs a comprehensive economic vision rooted in the idea that if you work hard, you can succeed. Too many folks are looking elsewhere for opportunity when we can create it here in Michigan by lowering costs, creating jobs, and investing in families. This means helping businesses grow whether they are entrepreneurs with a great idea or major manufacturers that create good paying jobs. We can slash regulations that constrict the building of housing and infrastructure, crack down on price gougers that raise prices in healthcare and energy, and invest in education so that we have a workforce competitive with the country and the world.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY: How would you approach ensuring energy reliability, consumer affordability, and environmental protection in Michigan?
Energy is too expensive and, in many cases, unreliable for millions of Michiganders. I have listened to horror stories of power outages that last days and families receive little compensation. The impact of climate change has become more apparent with each record-breaking storm, temperature, or natural disaster. Protecting our environment will create jobs. Michigan needs a diversified energy portfolio that prioritizes cost-effective and clean energy. Major investments in clean energy create good paying jobs, lower rates, and make us less susceptible to rising costs caused by wars overseas.
IMMIGRATION: What is your position on due process, First Amendment, and Fourth Amendment rights for all Michigan residents, including noncitizens, and what changes, if any, would you support?
While I serve at the state level and immigration is a federal issue, like most Americans I support a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, a secure border, and oppose ICE trampling on civil liberties. In Michigan, I co-sponsored legislation that bans ICE agents from wearing masks and requires them to properly identify themselves. I have worked with law enforcement and defense attorneys to ensure immigrants have proper representation and protection if they have been detained by ICE. Federal officials who weaponize the government against immigrants, protesters, and media should be reminded that constitutional protections apply to everyone.