Debbie Stabenow

Former United States Senator from Michigan

Debbie Stabenow made history in 2000 as the first woman elected to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Spencer Abraham and going on to serve four terms from 2001 to 2025 (Britannica, Wikipedia). Born in Gladwin and raised in Clare, Michigan, she began her political career at 24 on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners before serving twelve years in the Michigan House and four in the State Senate. She represented Michigan’s 8th District in the U.S. House from 1997 to 2001. As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she authored the landmark 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills and led the 2009 auto industry rescue. A champion of the Affordable Care Act, prescription drug cost reform, and Great Lakes protection, she also chaired the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. Stabenow announced her retirement in 2023 and left the Senate in January 2025, succeeded by Elissa Slotkin.