WASHINGTON, D.C. – After serving more than 20 years in the United States Senate, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D- MI) said her goodbyes in the Senate. The Senator decided to not run for another term and focus on her family. We spoke with her about her legacy.
24 years ago Debbie Stabenow became the first woman elected to the United States Senate from Michigan. After 24 years, she gave her final remarks on the Senate floor.
“From Ingham County Commissioner, to state legislator to US Senator, Michigan you will always be in my heart,” Sen. Stabenow said during her final floor remarks.
Senator Stabenow said she’s lived in Michigan her whole life and jokes that she viewed her job in Washington as a long-distance commute to work.
“I love that I can represent the beauty of Michigan,” said Sen. Stabenow. “What’s given me so much joy was leading the efforts to protect the Great Lakes.”
From the Soo Locks, the Great Lakes and the transformation of community mental health services, the Senator has prioritized issues near and dear to Michiganders.
“We just need to keep fighting for those things,” said Sen. Stabenow.
In the 24 years of service in the Senate, she has helped navigate Michigan and the US through dark times.
“There’s so many things starting with 9/11 which happened nine months after I came here to the United States Senate,” said Sen. Stabenow. “How shocking that was getting a call from my staffers that a plane had hit the World Trade Center and then to find out shortly after it was a targeted attack. Grappling with wars, I supported going into Afghanistan but did not going into Iraq because I didn’t see the evidence.”
And took charge in other crucial moments.
“One of them was the automobile industry was on the line, I helped them get a second chance,” said Sen. Stabenow.
As the new congress prepares to take over, the Senator said it’s important to listen to each other and respect each other; That’s how we find success not only with work here in the Capitol, but success as a nation.
“We are better off if we spend our time trying to find common ground,” said Sen. Stabenow.
Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin won Stabenow’s open Senate seat. She will replace the longtime Senator in January.
