Debbie Stabenow made history in 2000 when she became the first woman from the State of Michigan elected to the United States Senate. From a local county commission to the halls of Congress, outstanding leadership and hard work have characterized Debbie Stabenow's years in public service.
Debbie Stabenow is a voice for Michigan families on the issues affecting them everyday. Her priorities in the U.S. Senate include: quality, safe schools, fiscal responsibility in government, tax relief for middle class families and small businesses, preservation of our natural resources, reducing prescription drug prices, and protecting the future of Social Security and Medicare.
Senator Stabenow has earned a reputation for working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done, and she is continuing that tradition in the U.S. Senate. She has also taken on a leadership post at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, where she serves as Vice-Chair.
George magazine named her one of the "10 Powerhouses" in Washington, calling her "a prominent national voice." Michigan's Macomb Daily says, "Stabenow has all the political knowledge needed to carry the torch for Michigan's need and what's best for the nation."
Her leadership and experience were rewarded with four key Senate committee assignments including the powerful Budget Committee; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and the Special Committee on Aging. Within the Banking Committee, Stabenow serves on three subcommittees: Financial Institutions, Securities and Investment and Housing and Transportation. Senator Stabenow also serves on two Agriculture subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization and the Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation.
Born on April 29, 1950, Senator Stabenow grew up in the small town of Clare, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University, where she received her Bachelor's degree in 1972, and her Masters' degree in 1975. She worked with youth in the public schools before running for public office.
She was first elected to the Ingham County Board of Commission in 1974 and was the youngest person and first woman to chair the Board (1977-78). She was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where she served for twelve years (1979-90) and rose in leadership, becoming the first woman to preside over the House. She served in the State Senate for four years (1991-94) and was elected to Congress in 1996 where she served two terms representing Michigan's Eighth Congressional District. She won election to the U.S. Senate in November of 2000 and was sworn into the United States Senate on the following January 3rd.
Senator Stabenow is an accomplished legislator, having authored over 50 public acts as a state legislator and bringing critical issues, such as the cost of prescription drugs, to the forefront of Congress. The first bill she introduced in the Senate was the Medical Equity and Drug Savings Act to lower prescription drug prices by encouraging competition.
Senator Stabenow has been nationally recognized with over 60 awards for her leadership on behalf of families and small businesses, including the United States Jaycees Outstanding Young American award. Most recently, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare recognized her with its top award, and the National Association for Home Care named her a Home Health Hero.
Senator Stabenow is married to Mr. Tom Athans, Executive Director of Democracy Radio. Tom was born and raised in Michigan. He served thirteen years in the U.S. Air Force and six years as a member and President of the Oxford Village Council in Oakland County, Michigan. He has also worked in the U.S House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. They live in Lansing, where her mother and two children, Todd and Michelle, reside. She is a lifelong United Methodist and member of Grace United Methodist Church.
