SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW
Biography
"Made in Michigan" through and through, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow has blazed trails, transformed public policy and made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from the State of Michigan. She is widely respected for her unrivaled work ethic, ability to build bipartisan coalitions to get things done and commitment to public service.
Her work is deeply rooted in her love for the State of Michigan. Whether protecting our Great Lakes, transforming mental health services, or ensuring Michigan can continue to make things and grow things to be competitive in our world economy, her accomplishments have improved the lives of people across our country and created a strong foundation for a healthy and prosperous future for our state.
After 50 years of public service as a County Commissioner, State Legislator, Congresswoman, and U.S. Senator, Senator Stabenow proudly passed the torch in 2025 to a new generation of leaders, beginning a new chapter in her life that includes serving the State of Michigan outside of elected office.
Lifetime of Service
Senator Stabenow was born in Gladwin and raised in Clare, Michigan. The community of Lansing has been her home since she attended Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she worked with troubled youth in the Lansing Public Schools. She was inspired to get involved in public service in the early seventies by helping to lead a campaign to stop the closing of the Ingham County Medical Care Facility - the only nursing home in her community that accepted lower-income patients through Medicaid.
Senator Stabenow went on to run and win her campaigns for public office, defeating incumbent members of the Ingham County Board of Commission, Michigan State Legislature, U.S. House of Representatives and United States Senate in high-profile, competitive races.
She had a distinguished 50-year career as an elected official, beginning in 1974 when she was elected at the age of 24 to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, and ending in 2025, when she retired from the U.S. Senate, passing the torch to a new generation of leaders.
Opened Doors and Created Opportunities for Women and Girls
Throughout her years in public service, Senator Stabenow has blazed trails and opened doors for women and girls. Among her many "firsts" she was the first and youngest woman to chair the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, first woman to preside over the Michigan House of Representatives and first woman elected to the United States Senate from Michigan.
Improved the Health of Our Great Lakes and Protected Michigan Waters for Future Generations
One of the first bills Senator Stabenow passed in the U.S. Senate was a ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. She authored two landmark programs that are already transforming the health of our Great Lakes and waterways for future generations - the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program in the Farm Bill. There is no greater champion for our Great Lakes, natural resources, and Michigan way of life.
Reshaped our Nation's Farm and Food Policy
Senator Stabenow is driven by the belief that we can't have a strong economy unless we make things and grow things in our state. As chair of the powerful Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, her work continues to shape our nation's food and farm policy, impacting generations to come.
She has redefined the role of American agriculture in protecting our land and water, responding to the climate crisis, addressing hunger and nutrition, and creating a food system that is more inclusive. She created the first specialty crop title in Farm Bill history to support Michigan's broad range of crops — from our fruits and vegetables to hops and horticulture. She has created more opportunities for food entrepreneurs and urban farmers, including the expansion of farmer's markets across Michigan.
Strengthened Michigan's Global Leadership in Manufacturing & Clean Energy
Senator Stabenow has persistently focused on making things in America and bringing jobs home. During the global financial crisis, she led Senate efforts to rescue our auto industry. She has championed laws to spur new investments in clean energy and advanced manufacturing including the original electric vehicle consumer credit, battery tax credit, and clean energy manufacturing tax credit. Because of her leadership, Michigan is well-positioned as a global leader in our new clean energy economy.
Made Health Care More Affordable for Michigan Families and Transformed Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
Senator Stabenow helped write the Affordable Care Act, including the requirement that health insurance covers maternity care as basic care, and passed major reforms to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. Her bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act, is transforming the way we deliver behavioral health services by funding behavioral health the same way we fund physical health services. It is the biggest step forward in expanding community mental health and addiction services in a generation.
Michigan now has clinics in many communities across the state that provide 24-hour crisis services so people don't end up in jail or in the emergency room of the hospital. Millions of people in Michigan and across our nation will be receiving the care they need as a result of her leadership. As she leaves office, there are more than 500 new clinics across the country, and that number continues to grow.
Established Groundbreaking Protections for Children and Families
From child nutrition to school-based health clinics, to children's healthcare, Senator Stabenow has been the "go-to" leader in the U.S. Senate on issues protecting the health and well-being of children and families.
Being a champion for children and families has been a hallmark of her career, from her earliest days as a local and state leader. She led the effort to create one of our state's first domestic violence shelters. Over 50 Michigan public acts bear her name, including legislation creating the Michigan Children's Trust Fund to prevent child abuse and neglect, the Children's Mental Health Act, first-of-its-kind domestic violence protections, the Michigan Family Support Subsidy Act, and reforms to child support and custody laws that became a national model.
Persistent Leadership in Getting Results for Michigan
One of the trademarks of Senator Stabenow's leadership is her focus and persistence. Time after time, she took on seemingly impossible goals that sometimes took years to accomplish. Her persistence paid off for local communities across Michigan. Here are a few examples:
Flint Water Crisis: Senator Stabenow led the Congressional response to the Flint water crisis, driving the yearlong fight to get a reluctant Republican Congress to appropriate $170 million to replace the water pipes and expand Medicaid coverage to all children and pregnant moms in Flint.
Blight Removal: Senator Stabenow won a hard-fought battle against great odds in 2016 to secure millions in additional funds for blight removal in Detroit, Flint and cities across Michigan. This major infusion of funds has transformed struggling neighborhoods and spurred economic growth in communities across the state.
Building a New Soo Lock: Plans to modernize the Soo Locks languished for years before Senator Stabenow jumpstarted efforts to build a new lock. In 2007, she put language into law making construction of the new lock 100 percent federally funded. In following years, she initiated studies and reports, led a bipartisan Congressional delegation tour of the Locks, got her Soo Locks Modernization Act signed into law, secured unprecedented funding authorizations and appropriations, and cut through bureaucratic roadblocks to keep construction on track. As Senator Stabenow leaves office, the Army Corps of Engineers is on track to complete construction of the new lock by 2030 - a credit to her persistence and focused leadership.