Elissa Slotkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elissa Slotkin
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Official portrait, 2025
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| United States Senator from Michigan |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2025 Serving with Gary Peters
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| Preceded by | Debbie Stabenow |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan |
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| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Bishop |
| Succeeded by | Tom Barrett |
| Constituency |
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| Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs | |
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Acting
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| In office November 14, 2014 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Derek Chollet |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Handelman (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elissa Blair Slotkin
July 10, 1976 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
David Moore
(m. 2011; div. 2023) |
| Education | Cornell University (BA) Columbia University (MIA) |
| Awards | Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service |
| Signature |  |
Elissa Slotkin (born July 10, 1976) is an American politician. She is a U.S. Senator for Michigan, starting in 2025. Before this, she was a U.S. Representative for Michigan from 2019 to 2025.
Slotkin is a member of the Democratic Party. She used to work as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). She also worked as an official for the Department of Defense.
In 2024, Slotkin was elected to the Senate. She won a close election against Mike Rogers. She is the second woman to become a Senator from Michigan.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Elissa Slotkin was born in New York City on July 10, 1976. She grew up on a farm in Holly, Michigan. She went to Cranbrook Kingswood School. Her family's farm was part of a meat company started by her great-grandfather.
Slotkin studied sociology at Cornell University. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1998. In 2003, she received a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
Early Career and Government Work
After college, Slotkin joined the Central Intelligence Agency. She speaks Arabic and Swahili. She worked three times in Iraq as a CIA analyst.
During President George W. Bush's time, she worked on issues related to Iraq for the National Security Council. When Barack Obama was president, she worked for the State Department and the Department of Defense. From 2015 to 2017, Slotkin was an acting assistant secretary of defense.
After leaving the Defense Department in 2017, Slotkin moved back to her family farm. She started her own consulting business there.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Running for Office
2018 Election
In 2017, Slotkin decided to run for Congress in Michigan's 8th district. She wanted to challenge the current Republican representative, Mike Bishop. She was upset when he seemed happy after voting to remove the Affordable Care Act.
In November 2018, Slotkin won the election. She became the first Democrat to represent that district since 2001.
2020 Election
Slotkin was reelected in 2020. She held many public meetings about her decision to vote to impeach President Donald Trump. These meetings got a lot of attention.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Slotkin changed how she campaigned. She held online events and used safe ways to reach voters.
2022 Election
Due to new district maps, Slotkin's district became the 7th district. She won her election against Tom Barrett. This election was one of the most expensive House races in 2022.
Slotkin criticized his votes against a new General Motors electric car battery plant. Slotkin said her 2022 win came from doing better in areas that usually vote Republican.
Key Actions in Congress
When Slotkin was first elected in 2018, she joined a group of new women in Congress. They were called the "mod squad" because they were more moderate. This group was seen as a balance to more progressive members.
In 2019, Slotkin and six other Democrats wrote an article. They called for an investigation into President Trump. This article helped lead to widespread support for an impeachment inquiry. Slotkin voted to impeach Trump both times.
Working on Committees
Slotkin served on several important committees in the House:
- Committee on Armed Services: This committee deals with military and defense issues.
- Committee on Homeland Security: This committee focuses on protecting the country from threats.
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs: This committee helps people who have served in the military.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
2024 Election
In February 2023, Slotkin announced she would run for the U.S. Senate. Senator Debbie Stabenow was retiring, leaving her seat open. Slotkin won the Democratic primary election in August 2024. She then defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.
Senate Work and Views
In 2025, Slotkin joined other Senators to vote for the Laken Riley Act. After President Trump's 2025 speech to Congress, she gave the official Democratic response. She talked about Trump's economic plans and warned about rising costs.
Slotkin also discussed the bombing of Iran in June 2025. She said it was important to wait for information before deciding what to do.
Senate Committee Roles
As a Senator, Slotkin serves on these committees:
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: This committee handles farming and food issues.
- Committee on Armed Services: She continues to work on military and defense topics.
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: This committee deals with national security and government operations.
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs: She continues to work on issues for military veterans.
Political Views
Slotkin is known as a moderate Democrat. She has often worked with members from both political parties.
Economic Policy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Slotkin supported relief packages to help people. She voted for the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. In 2025, she was the only Senate Democrat to vote against a bill that would stop California from banning gasoline cars by 2035. She said she needed to support Michigan's auto industry.
Foreign Policy
Slotkin identifies as a Zionist. She has supported Israel's actions in the past. She also signed a letter criticizing South Africa's genocide case against Israel.
Slotkin voted against a 2023 bill to fund Israel. She said it required cuts to spending at home and did not include aid for Gaza, Ukraine, or Taiwan. In April 2024, she voted to send military aid to Israel. Slotkin has called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. She urged the Biden administration to pressure Israel to limit harm to civilians.
Slotkin was a main supporter of the 2020 Iran War Powers Resolution. This aimed to limit President Trump's power to start a war with Iran without Congress's approval.
Gun Policy
In 2022, Slotkin voted for a ban on assault weapons. She also introduced a bill called the Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act. This bill would require guns to be stored safely when children are present.
Health Care
Slotkin supports the Affordable Care Act. She believes it is important to protect health care coverage for people with existing health conditions. She also supports allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Slotkin does not support "Medicare for All." Instead, she supports a plan that would let people of any age buy into Medicare.
Student Debt
Slotkin voted against an amendment that would have provided $10,000 in debt relief for student loan borrowers. However, she also pushed the Department of Education to help federal employees with student loan payments during a government shutdown.
Personal Life
Elissa Slotkin married Dave Moore in 2011. He was a retired Army colonel and helicopter pilot. They met in Baghdad when Slotkin was working in Iraq. They lived in Holly, Michigan. They divorced in 2023. Slotkin is Jewish.
Images for kids
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Elissa Slotkin's signature
See also
In Spanish: Elissa Slotkin para niños
