On the Issues
Delivering Results for Southwest Detroit & Downriver
Across Southwest Detroit and Downriver, families work hard every day. They deserve a state government that delivers real results—not empty promises, political theater, or policies that look good on paper but never improve people's lives.
That's why my campaign is focused on three priorities that I believe can make a meaningful difference for our communities while earning the support needed to become law.
TOP 3 PRIORITIES
The issues I'll focus on from day one because they offer the greatest opportunity to improve lives and deliver measurable results.
Strengthening Early Literacy & K-3 Intervention
Reading is the foundation for success in school, the workforce, and life. Yet too many Michigan students fall behind in the earliest grades, making it harder to catch up later.
I believe our goal should be simple: every child reading proficiently by third grade.
To help achieve that, I will work to:
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Expand evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading.
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Provide universal literacy screening multiple times each year in grades K-3.
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Increase access to high-impact tutoring and targeted intervention for struggling readers.
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Support teachers with proven instructional tools and professional development.
When children learn to read early, they're better prepared to succeed in every subject that follows.
Accountability for Corporate Incentives & Subsidies
Michigan invests billions of taxpayer dollars in economic development. Those investments should produce measurable results for our communities.
When public money is used to support private companies, taxpayers deserve accountability.
I'll work to:
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Require clear performance benchmarks for companies receiving incentives.
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Strengthen reporting requirements so taxpayers know what they're getting for their investment.
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Support clawback provisions when promised jobs or investments fail to materialize.
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Prioritize incentives that create lasting jobs and economic opportunity for Michigan residents.
Economic development should create real value—not simply write blank checks.
Government Transparency & Ethics Reform
People deserve confidence that government is working for them—not for insiders or special interests.
I believe taxpayers have a right to know how decisions are made and how public dollars are spent.
I'll work to:
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Strengthen transparency and public access to government information.
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Support stronger ethics standards and accountability for elected officials.
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Increase disclosure and oversight to help restore public trust.
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Make state government more open, accessible, and responsive to the people it serves.
Good government isn't partisan. It's honest, accountable, and transparent.
ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES
These are also important challenges facing our communities, and I'll continue working tirelessly to advance practical, evidence-based solutions in each of these areas.
Housing: Stability and Affordability
Why this matters
A safe, affordable home provides the foundation for a stable life. Whether someone is renting an apartment, buying a home, or raising a family, housing affordability affects financial security, educational success, and overall quality of life.
The challenge
Across Michigan, rising housing costs have made it harder for many families to find homes they can afford. In communities like Southwest Detroit and River Rouge, residents face rising rents, aging housing stock, and limited opportunities for homeownership.
At the same time, housing has increasingly become an investment asset. Speculative purchases and large-scale investors often compete directly with Michigan residents for homes, driving up prices and reducing opportunities for families who simply want a place to live.
Stable housing shouldn't be out of reach for people who work hard and contribute to their communities.
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What I'll work to do
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Expand the supply of affordable housing through targeted development incentives and public-private partnerships. Strengthen protections against unsafe housing conditions and irresponsible landlords.
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Increase opportunities for homeownership through state assistance programs and responsible lending initiatives.
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Support neighborhood revitalization efforts that improve existing housing while helping longtime residents remain in their communities. Encourage responsible redevelopment that balances growth with affordability.
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Prioritize housing as homes first by expanding opportunities for Michigan residents and families to purchase single-family homes while discouraging speculative investment practices that reduce affordability.
Why it matters
When families have access to safe and affordable housing, they're better able to build financial security, support their children's success, and invest in their communities. When families have access to safe and affordable housing, they're better able to build financial security, support their children's success, and invest in their communities. Housing should first and foremost be a place to build a life—not simply another financial asset.
Healthcare: Coverage You Can Count On
Why this matters
Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare they can afford. Whether it's a routine checkup, managing a chronic condition, or responding to a medical emergency, healthcare should provide peace of mind—not financial hardship.
The challenge
Too many Michiganders delay or skip medical care because of cost, struggle to afford prescription medications, or face barriers to accessing mental health services. These challenges can lead to worse health outcomes, higher long-term costs, and unnecessary stress for families.
What I'll work to do
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Protect and strengthen Medicaid so eligible families continue to have access to essential care.
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Expand access to affordable health insurance coverage.
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Support efforts to lower the cost of prescription medications.
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Increase access to mental health and behavioral health services across Michigan.
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Invest in preventive care and community health programs that improve long-term health outcomes.
Why it matters
Healthy communities are stronger communities. By expanding access to affordable healthcare and investing in prevention, we can help people stay healthy, reduce long-term costs, and improve quality of life across Southwest Detroit and Downriver.
Public Safety: Effective, Accountable Policing
Why this matters
Every person deserves to feel safe in their home, neighborhood, and workplace. Public safety is one of government's most fundamental responsibilities, and achieving it requires both effective law enforcement and the trust of the communities officers serve.
The challenge
Too often, debates about public safety become divided between competing ideologies instead of focusing on what actually works. Communities deserve policing that is professional, accountable, and guided by evidence—not outdated practices, unnecessary force, or political slogans. At the same time, law enforcement remains an essential public service that must be equipped to protect people while respecting their constitutional rights.
What I'll work to do
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Support higher professional standards and ongoing training for law enforcement officers throughout their careers, including de-escalation, crisis intervention, and constitutional policing.
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Promote de-escalation as the preferred response whenever it can be used safely, helping reduce unnecessary injuries to both officers and civilians.
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Strengthen accountability and transparency so communities can have confidence in those entrusted with enforcing the law.
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Oppose the unnecessary militarization of civilian police departments while ensuring officers have the equipment needed to perform their duties safely.
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Invest in evidence-based crime prevention strategies that reduce victimization before crimes occur.
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Encourage collaboration between law enforcement, community organizations, schools, and mental health professionals to address the root causes of crime while maintaining public safety.
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Promote policing that emphasizes service, professionalism, and respect, recognizing that law enforcement officers are public servants entrusted with protecting the communities they serve.
Why it matters
Public safety shouldn't be judged by whether policies sound "tough" or "soft." It should be judged by whether they reduce crime, protect constitutional rights, and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Jobs & the Economy: Building Opportunity Through Work
Why this matters
A strong economy should create opportunities for everyone willing to work hard. Southwest Detroit and Downriver have long been home to manufacturers, small businesses, skilled trades, and entrepreneurs who help power Michigan's economy. Economic growth should mean more good-paying jobs, stronger local businesses, and greater opportunity for working families.
The challenge
While Michigan has attracted new investment, not every community has shared equally in its success. Many employers struggle to find skilled workers, small businesses continue to face unnecessary barriers, and too many residents feel that economic growth isn't translating into greater financial security. We need an economy that invests in people as much as it invests in projects.
What I'll work to do
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Support small businesses and entrepreneurs by reducing unnecessary barriers to growth and expanding access to state resources.
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Expand apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and workforce training that prepare people for in-demand careers.
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Increase opportunities for dual enrollment, community college, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and affordable higher education so more Michiganders can prepare for rewarding careers without taking on overwhelming debt.
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Encourage economic development that creates lasting, good-paying jobs for Michigan residents.
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Support policies that help workers build long-term financial security through fair wages, safe workplaces, and opportunities for career advancement.
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Promote responsible innovation and emerging industries while ensuring communities share in the benefits of economic growth.
Why it matters
A strong economy isn't measured only by the number of jobs created—it's measured by whether people can build stable, rewarding lives through their work. By investing in workers, small businesses, and the industries of tomorrow, we can create an economy that delivers lasting opportunity for Michigan families.
Environment: Healthy Communities, A Stronger Future
Why this matters
Clean air, safe drinking water, and a healthy environment aren't luxuries—they're essential to our quality of life. Michigan's natural resources are central to our economy, our public health, and our identity. Protecting them means protecting the people who live, work, and raise families here.
The challenge
Communities like Southwest Detroit have lived with the effects of industrial pollution for generations, while crises like Flint have shown the consequences of failing to maintain critical infrastructure. At the same time, Michigan has an opportunity to lead in the transition toward cleaner energy technologies that can create good-paying jobs while reducing pollution. We don't have to choose between a strong economy and a healthy environment—we can build both.
What I'll work to do
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Invest in modernizing Michigan's aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to protect public health and prevent future crises.
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Strengthen monitoring and enforcement against illegal pollution while holding companies accountable for violating environmental laws.
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Support the growth of clean energy industries and the manufacturing jobs needed to build the technologies that power Michigan's future.
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Encourage responsible redevelopment and environmental cleanup of contaminated industrial sites so they can once again serve our communities.
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Reduce harmful emissions in overburdened communities through practical, evidence-based policies that improve air quality.
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Protect Michigan's lakes, rivers, and groundwater from pollution through stronger stewardship and infrastructure investments.
Why it matters
A healthier environment means healthier families, stronger communities, and new economic opportunities. By protecting our natural resources while investing in the industries of the future, Michigan can improve public health, create good-paying jobs, and leave a stronger state for the next generation.
Data Centers: Innovation with Accountability
Why this matters
Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced technologies are creating new opportunities for economic growth and innovation. Data centers have been purported to play an important role in supporting these industries, but their development must not come at the expense of the communities that host them.
The challenge
Large data centers can place significant demands on electricity, water infrastructure, and local resources. Residents have also raised concerns about constant generator noise, environmental impacts, increased utility costs, and whether communities receive enough long-term benefit in return. Michigan can welcome innovation while ensuring companies take responsibility for the impacts their facilities have on surrounding neighborhoods.
What I'll work to do
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Require comprehensive impact assessments before approving major projects, including expected effects on water resources, electric grid capacity, noise, traffic, and local infrastructure.
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Ensure data center developers pay for infrastructure upgrades needed to support their facilities rather than shifting costs onto existing residents and businesses.
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Establish clear environmental and operational standards to protect nearby communities from excessive noise, pollution, and other harmful impacts.
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Require meaningful community engagement before major projects move forward so residents have an opportunity to be heard and have a real say in their own communities.
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Support performance standards, transparency requirements, and clawback provisions when companies receiving public incentives fail to meet their commitments.
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Require data center projects to demonstrate that local infrastructure can support them without placing unreasonable burdens on residents, businesses, or taxpayers.
Why it matters
Michigan can embrace emerging technologies while protecting the people who call our communities home. Responsible planning, transparency, and accountability ensure that innovation creates shared prosperity instead of shifting costs and risks onto taxpayers and residents.
A Government That Works for You
At the end of the day, this campaign isn't about ideology—it's about results.
Whether it's helping more children read by third grade, making housing more affordable, protecting our air and water, strengthening public safety, or ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, every proposal on this page is guided by one simple question:
Will it make people's lives better?
That's the standard I'll bring to Lansing.
I'll work with anyone willing to solve problems, stand firm on the principles that matter, and insist on accountability for every public dollar and every public trust.
Because government shouldn't exist to serve special interests or political parties.
It should exist to serve the people.
And that's exactly who I'll go to Lansing to serve.