Debbie Stabenow facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Debbie Stabenow
Official portrait, 2019

Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2025
Leader	Chuck Schumer
Preceded by	Chuck Schumer
Succeeded by	Amy Klobuchar (Steering and Policy) Cory Booker (Strategic Communications)
Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Pat Roberts
Succeeded by	John Boozman
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Blanche Lincoln
Succeeded by	Pat Roberts
Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by	Thad Cochran
Succeeded by	John Boozman
Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Barbara Mikulski
Succeeded by	Patty Murray
United States Senator from Michigan
In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Spencer Abraham
Succeeded by	Elissa Slotkin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th district
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Dick Chrysler
Succeeded by	Mike Rogers
Member of the Michigan Senate from the 24th district
In office January 12, 1991 – January 14, 1994
Preceded by	William A. Sederburg
Succeeded by	Joe Schwarz
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 58th district
In office January 6, 1979 – January 12, 1991
Preceded by	Thomas M. Holcomb
Succeeded by	Dianne Byrum
Chair of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners
In office January 1977 – January 1979
Preceded by	Ken Hope
Succeeded by	Bill Sweet
Member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners from the 13th district
In office January 1975 – January 1979
Preceded by	Gordon Swix
Succeeded by	Dennis Willard

Personal details
Born	Deborah Greer (1950-04-29) April 29, 1950 (age 75) Gladwin, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Dennis Stabenow (m. 1971; div. 1989) Tom Athans (m. 2003; div. 2010)
Children	2
Education	Michigan State University (BA, MSW)
Signature

Deborah Ann Stabenow (born April 29, 1950) is an American politician. She served as a U.S. Senator from Michigan from 2001 to 2025. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Debbie Stabenow was the first woman from Michigan to become a U.S. Senator.

Before becoming a Senator, Stabenow was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She represented Michigan's 8th congressional district from 1997 to 2001. She also served on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and in the Michigan State Legislature.

Stabenow was reelected to the Senate in 2006, 2012, and 2018. She became Michigan's senior U.S. Senator when Carl Levin retired in 2015. She led the Senate Agriculture Committee from 2011 to 2015 and again since 2021. In 2017, she became the chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. In January 2023, she announced she would not run for reelection in 2024.

Early Life and Education

Debbie Stabenow was born in Gladwin, Michigan. She grew up in Clare, Michigan. She was the first female class president at Clare High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1972. She then received a Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University in 1975.

Early Political Career

Serving Ingham County

While still a student in 1974, Stabenow ran for public office for the first time. She wanted to help prevent a local nursing home from closing. She won her election in November 1974. This made her one of the first women elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. She served on the board from 1975 to 1978. In 1977 and 1978, she became the first woman and youngest person to lead the board. She also helped create a women's commission in Ingham County.

Michigan State Legislature

In 1978, Stabenow ran for the Michigan House of Representatives. She won the election for the 58th House District. She served in the Michigan House from 1979 to 1990. She became a strong leader in state Democratic politics. She was the first woman in the House leadership to preside over the House. In 1990, Stabenow was elected to the Michigan Senate. She served one term from 1991 to 1994.

Running for Governor

In 1994, Stabenow ran for governor in the Democratic primary. She came in second place. After the primary, the winner, Howard Wolpe, chose Stabenow as his running mate. She ran as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. However, they lost the general election to the Republican incumbent, John Engler.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1996, Stabenow ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. She challenged the Republican incumbent, Dick Chrysler. She won the election with 54% of the votes. In 1998, she was reelected. In the House, Stabenow worked on the Agriculture and Science Committees.

U.S. Senate

Senate Elections

In 2000, Stabenow decided not to run for reelection to the House. Instead, she ran for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Senator Spencer Abraham. She won the election by a small margin.

In 2006, Stabenow was challenged by Republican Michael Bouchard. She defeated him with 57% of the votes.

In 2012, Stabenow ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She then defeated Republican nominee Pete Hoekstra with 59% of the votes.

In 2018, Stabenow was reelected for her fourth term. She defeated Republican nominee John E. James with 52.3% of the votes.

Time in the Senate

Stabenow is one of only two people from Michigan to have served in both houses of the Michigan State Legislature and both houses of the United States Congress. She also became the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate in 2004. She was elected as secretary of the Democratic caucus. In this role, she helped Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid set the Democratic Party's goals.

In 2011, Stabenow became the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. A big project during her time as chair was renewing and changing the 2012 U.S. Farm Bill. This bill helps support farmers and food programs.

In 2014, Stabenow introduced a bill called the Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act. This bill aimed to protect lands for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band, a Native American tribe.

During the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021, Stabenow was at the Capitol. She was evacuated to a safe place. She called the experience "heartbreaking." After the Capitol was secure, she supported certifying the election results. She also called for President Trump's removal from office after the attack.

Committee Work

As a Senator, Debbie Stabenow served on several important committees:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (chair)
Committee on the Budget
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Committee on Finance

Political Views

Food Assistance

Debbie Stabenow has strongly supported programs like the food stamp (SNAP) program. She has worked to prevent cuts to food assistance benefits for families and people in need. In 2017, she helped lead an effort to pass legislation that protected SNAP recipients.

Foreign Policy

In 2002, Stabenow was one of 23 senators who voted against allowing the use of military force in Iraq. In 2019, she encouraged President Trump to continue foreign aid to Central American countries. She believed this aid helps improve conditions there and reduces migration to the U.S.

Flint Water Crisis

Stabenow played a key role in helping Flint, Michigan, during its water crisis. She helped secure $100 million to fix and replace the water pipes that were contaminated with lead. She also pushed for a program to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to children in Flint.

Economic Issues

Stabenow has focused on creating jobs and supporting American businesses. In 2009, she voted for President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan, which aimed to boost the economy.

She has supported tax breaks for companies that develop bio-based products, which are made from crops like soybeans and corn. In 2017, she introduced her American Jobs Agenda. This included the Make It In America Act, which would require the U.S. government to buy American-made goods. It also included the Bring Jobs Home Act, which would give tax cuts to companies that bring jobs back to America from other countries.

Immigration

Stabenow has generally supported policies that help immigrants. During a government shutdown in 2018, she helped approve a spending bill that included funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program. She also opposed President Trump's executive order in 2017 that limited immigration from several Muslim-majority countries.

Health Care

Stabenow has worked to improve health care access. She helped open 10 community health centers in Detroit. In her 2000 campaign, she promised to lower prescription drug prices and improve Medicare benefits. She voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2009 and 2010. She also sponsored the Excellence in Mental Health Act to improve mental health services.

Environment

Climate Change

Stabenow believes that global warming causes more extreme weather events. She has supported efforts to reduce pollution and develop clean energy technologies. In 2019, she called on the EPA to set federal drinking water standards for certain chemicals that can cause contamination.

Great Lakes Protection

Stabenow has called for a complete ban on oil drilling in the Great Lakes. In 2015, she introduced a bill to ban shipping crude oil by vessel on the Great Lakes. She also worked to ensure funding for The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which helps protect and restore the Great Lakes.

Canadian Waste Disposal

In 2006, Stabenow worked with other lawmakers to reach an agreement to stop Ontario from dumping solid waste in Michigan. This had been a long-standing issue for Michigan.

GMOs

As the Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Stabenow added an amendment to the 2013–14 Farm Bill. This amendment prevented state laws from requiring labels on foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). She was criticized for this, as it helped large agricultural businesses.

Retirement

On January 5, 2023, Debbie Stabenow announced that she would retire from the Senate. She said she wanted to "pass the torch" to the next generation of leaders in Michigan. She also mentioned wanting to spend more time with her family. If she serves until her term ends in January 2025, she will have held elected office for 50 years.

Awards and Honors

In February 2023, a portrait of Debbie Stabenow was unveiled in the Russell Senate Office Building. This honor was given because of her years as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The portrait was commissioned by the Historical Society of Michigan.

On October 3, 2024, Washington Park in Lansing, Michigan was renamed Debbie Stabenow Park in her honor.

Personal Life

Debbie Stabenow is a member of the United Methodist Church. She has two children from her first marriage. She also has a stepdaughter from her second marriage.

In 2016, Stabenow had a small role in the movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She played the governor of an unspecified state. She was invited to appear because the movie was filmed in Michigan, and she supported film industry incentives.

Images for kids

Stabenow speaking at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Stabenow during the 112th United States Congress.
Senator Stabenow at Ford's biobased manufacturing lab in Dearborn.
Stabenow meeting with students from the Ross School of Business in 2016.