Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)

Why She Matters

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.

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