Debbie Stabenow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Debbie Stabenow
Official portrait, 2019
United States Senator from Michigan
In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Spencer Abraham
Succeeded by	Elissa Slotkin
Committee positions Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2025 Leader Chuck Schumer Vice Chairs Joe Manchin Cory Booker 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
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 for 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 from 2021 to 2025. In 2017, she became the chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. She announced in January 2023 that 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 also received a Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University in 1975.

Early Political Career

Local Politics

In 1974, while still a student, Stabenow ran for public office. She was inspired to act when a local nursing home was threatened with closure. In November 1974, she won her first election. She became 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, Stabenow was the first woman and youngest person to lead the board of commissioners. She also helped create a women's commission in Ingham County.

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 of Representatives from 1979 to 1990. She became a 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.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1996, Stabenow ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. She challenged the Republican Congressman Dick Chrysler. She won the election, representing Michigan's 8th congressional district. She was reelected in 1998. In the House, Stabenow worked on the Agriculture and Science Committees.

U.S. Senate

Stabenow speaking at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Senate Elections

2000 Election

Stabenow decided not to run for reelection to the House in 2000. Instead, she ran for the U.S. Senate against the Republican Senator Spencer Abraham. She won the Democratic primary election without opposition. In the general election, Stabenow defeated Abraham by a small margin.

Later Elections

Stabenow was challenged by Republican Michael Bouchard in 2006. She won the election with 57% of the votes. In 2012, she ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She defeated Republican Pete Hoekstra with 59% of the votes.

In 2018, Stabenow was reelected for her fourth term. She defeated Republican John E. James.

Time in the Senate

Stabenow during the 112th Congress.

Debbie Stabenow is only the second person from Michigan to have served in both houses of the Michigan State Legislature and both houses of the United States Congress. She is also the first person from Michigan's state legislature to be popularly elected to the U.S. Senate.

In November 2004, Stabenow became the third-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate. She was elected secretary of the Democratic caucus. In this role, she helped Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid set the Democratic Party's goals. In November 2006, she became the chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. This committee works to connect Democratic Senators with community leaders.

Stabenow became the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee in 2011. A major task during her time as chair was renewing and changing the 2012 U.S. Farm Bill. This bill is important for farmers and food programs.

On October 29, 2014, Stabenow introduced a bill called the Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act (S. 1603; 113th Congress). This bill aimed to protect lands held in trust for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band.

Stabenow was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when it was attacked. She called the experience "heartbreaking." After the Capitol was secured, she supported certifying the election results. She also called for the immediate removal of President Trump from office.

Committee Work

Stabenow served on several important committees in the Senate:

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

Political Views

Food Assistance

Stabenow has worked to protect the food stamp (SNAP) program. She has strongly opposed cuts to food assistance for people who need help buying food. In 2017, she worked to prevent new work requirements for older SNAP recipients or those with young children.

Foreign Policy

In October 2002, Stabenow was one of 23 senators who voted against allowing military force in Iraq. In April 2019, she signed a letter to President Trump. The letter encouraged him to continue foreign aid to Central American countries. The senators believed this aid helps reduce migration to the U.S. by improving conditions in those countries.

Flint Water Crisis

Stabenow helped secure $100 million to fix and replace water pipes in Flint, Michigan. These pipes were contaminating drinking water with lead. She also pushed for a program to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to children in Flint.

Economic Issues

Senator Stabenow starting her Jobs of the Future Tour at Ford's biobased manufacturing lab in Dearborn.

Stabenow has supported policies that help American workers and businesses. In 2007, she supported a bill to fight unfair practices by foreign oil producers. In 2009, she voted for President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan. This plan aimed to boost the economy.

In 2010, she introduced the China Fair Trade Act. This act aimed to prevent U.S. taxpayer money from buying Chinese products unless China followed international trade rules. She has also supported tax breaks for companies developing bio-based products.

In 2017, Stabenow introduced her American Jobs Agenda. This included the Make It In America Act, which would require the U.S. government to buy American products. It also included the Bring Jobs Home Act, which would give tax cuts to companies bringing jobs back to the U.S. from other countries.

Immigration

Stabenow has generally supported policies that help immigrants. In January 2017, she opposed President Trump's executive order that temporarily limited immigration from several Muslim-majority countries. She said it was "ruining America's reputation."

Environment

Climate Change

Stabenow has spoken about the effects of climate change. She has said that global warming creates more extreme weather events. She has also worked to balance environmental protection with support for businesses. She has supported efforts to reduce pollution and develop clean energy technologies.

In February 2019, Stabenow signed a letter asking the EPA to set federal drinking water standards for certain harmful chemicals (PFOS and PFOA).

Great Lakes Protection

In 2010, Stabenow called for a complete ban on drilling in the Great Lakes. In 2015, she and Senator Gary Peters introduced a bill to ban shipping crude oil by vessel on the Great Lakes. This bill also required a review of hazardous pipelines in the region. She has also supported funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

In 2006, Stabenow helped reach an agreement to stop Canada from dumping solid waste in Michigan.

Gun Policy

Stabenow supports gun control measures. She supports a national ban on assault weapons. She supported bills to prevent people on the terrorist watchlist from buying guns and to expand background checks.

In 2017, Stabenow introduced a law. This law would make it illegal for people convicted of misdemeanor stalking to buy guns.

Health Care

Stabenow has helped open 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 (ACA) in 2009 and 2010. This law aimed to make health care more affordable and accessible. She also sponsored the Excellence in Mental Health Act. In 2019, she signed a letter asking for data on the potential impact of overturning the ACA.

Retirement

On January 5, 2023, Debbie Stabenow announced that she would retire from the Senate. Her term ended in January 2025. She said she wanted to "pass the torch" to the next generation of Michigan leaders. She also mentioned wanting to spend more time with her family. Her retirement marked 50 years of holding elected office. Elissa Slotkin won the election in November 2024 to succeed Stabenow.

Awards and Honors

In February 2023, a portrait of Debbie Stabenow was unveiled in the Russell Senate Office Building. This honor is traditional for congressional committee chairs. Her portrait recognized her years as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

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 was first married to Dennis Stabenow, and they had two children. They divorced in 1990. In 2003, she married Tom Athans. They divorced in 2010.

Stabenow had a small role in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She played the governor of the state where Metropolis is located. She was invited to appear because the movie was filmed in Michigan.

Images for kids

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  Debbie Stabenow's signature.

See also

In Spanish: Debbie Stabenow para niños