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Stabenow's ascent to Michigan's junior senator began at the early age of 28, when she was elected to Michigan's state House in 1978. Less than 20 years later, in 1996, she would find herself in Washington D.C. as a U.S. representative serving Michigan's 8th district. It wasn't a position she would hold long. Just three years after she came to Washington, the ambitious Stabenow set her sites on the seat of then- Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.).
Though she was vastly outspent -- Abraham spent $13 million to Stabenow's $8 million-Stabenow eked out a victory a 1-point victory to topple the incumbent. In 2000, Stabenow returned to the nation's capital, but this time as a senator.
- Career History: U.S. Representative (1996-2000); Michigan State Senate (1990-1994); Michigan House of Representatives (1978-1990)
- Birthday: April 29, 1950
- Hometown: Clare, Mich.
- Alma Mater: Michigan State, B.A,, 1972; master's (social work), 1975
- Spouse: Tom Athans
- Religion: United Methodist
- Committees: Chair, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (since January 2011); Finance ; Budget ; Energy and Natural Resources
- DC Office: 133 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510202-224-4822
Stabenow grew up in Clare, a small town in central Michigan. Like many in the state, her family's livelihood came from the automobile industry. Her father was an Oldsmobile dealer and her mother worked as a nurse.
Stabenow graduated from Michigan State in 1972 with a B.A. and in 1975 earned a master's degree in social work. Like many of her generation, she marched in anti-war rallies and even worked for presidential hopeful George McGovern, who opposed thre Vietnam War.
Stabenow has been a reliable Democratic partisan on most issues. But she has sometimes diverged from her party. Reflecting the blue-collar values and labor concerns of manufacturing-friendly Michigan, Stabenow was one of only four Senate Democrats to vote against the passage of the McCain-Kennedy immigration reform bill of 2007, which ultimately failed.
On other social issues, Stabenow has consistently voted with Democrats. In the 109th Congress, she voted against the appointment of conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, the ban on same- sex marriage and limits on women traveling across state lines to receive abortions. In 2002, she voted against authorizing the Iraq war.
Stabenow's long resume of Democratic credentials and her partisan voting record has served her well in the Senate. As a freshman senator in 2004, she was appointed to replace Barbara Mikulski as Senate Democratic Conference secretary.
In 2007, she was named chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee.
- Reuters "Senate to take up auto bailout on Monday " Nov. 14, 2008.
- Nagourney, Adam, "In Final Weeks, G.O.P. Focuses on Best Bets, " The New York Times, Oct. 19, 2006
- Associated Press, "Debbie Stabenow makes final Michigan superdelegate switch from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama," June 8, 2008.
- Bradsher, Keith, " THE 2000 ELECTIONS: MICHIGAN; Congresswoman Unseats a Senator,"The New York Times, Nov. 9, 2000
- Press Release, "Michigan Democrats Score Victory Against Canadian Trash", Office of Michigan State Senator Liz Brater, Sept. 1, 2006
- Confessore, Nicholas, "Saving Private Abraham," The American Prospect, Nov. 30, 2002.
- Press release, Office of Debbie Stabenow, "Stabenow Appointed to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee," Jan. 13, 2009
- Pear, Robert, "Michigan Senator Who Ran on Drug Issue Will Lead Democrats in Debate," The New York Times, July. 15, 2002
- Press release, Office of Debbie Stabenow, "Stabenow Statement Regarding Revised General Motors Restructuring Plan Announced Today," Apr. 27, 2009
- Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition
- Associated Press "Stabenow opposed financial bailout bill in Senate," The Muskegon Chronicle, Oct. 3, 2008.
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