The COVID-19 pandemic has caused one of the worst economic downturns in Michigan’s history. Millions of Michiganders have been laid off, and thousands of small businesses are in danger of closing permanently. In the years to come, I will do everything I can to help communities in Michigan’s 11th District rebuild our economy, create jobs, and come back stronger than ever. Michiganders have been through challenging times before, and we will do it again. 

Now is the time for us to value hard work, prioritize wage growth, and support working families. We need to reorient our policies so that people, not corporations, are at the forefront of our economic success. Having spent my career working at the intersection of the manufacturing industry and government, I believe public-private partnerships are critical to growing our economy. 

Prior to Congress, I spent my career working alongside Midwest manufacturing companies large and small. I was at the table when the Economic Development Administration invested in the Detroit Regional Chamber to create a supplier diversification program. I have managed and created job training programs focused on advanced manufacturing and believe Michigan’s future of automation and innovation will continue to unlock incredible job opportunities, as long as we have policy makers advocating for the value of technical talent and hard work. 

Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy in southeast Michigan, and I am running as a woman in manufacturing with an economic development background. I know the importance of bringing industry and government leaders together to produce outcomes for our district. 

To support our workers, I cosponsored and advanced through the House the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. This comprehensive legislation aims to strengthen our nation’s laws that protect workers’ right to form a union and negotiate for higher wages and benefits. I also co-sponsored and voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 

I am proud to have led workforce development initiatives with SkillsUSA, National Institute of Metalworking Skills, SME, ASME, the Manufacturing Institute, Code for America, the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor throughout my career. I have managed a multi-million dollar federally funded job training portfolio that received matching corporate investment and buy-in from universities, community colleges, and high schools. 

For the burgeoning and existing workforce, I believe in a 21st century labor movement that protects workers, supports training programs, and pays a livable wage. We need a federal government that strategically invests in research and development that supports the great innovation taking place in southeastern Michigan. 

I worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass the renegotiation of NAFTA and get Michigan workers a better deal. I plan to work with the President to crack down on China’s unfair trade practices and take tax breaks away from companies that ship jobs overseas. 

Finally, I believe we must once and for all end the gender pay gap and support paid family leave for all Americans.