Debbie Stabenow

Deborah Ann Greer "Debbie" Stabenow (b. April 29, 1950, in Gladwin, MI) is a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from the state of Michigan. Stabenow was first elected to the Senate in 2000.

Stabenow most recently won re-election to the Senate in 2012. She ran unopposed in the August 7 Democratic primary. She defeated Pete Hoekstra (R), Scotty Boman (L), Harley Mikkelson (G), Richard Matkin (UST) and John Litle (NLP) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Stabenow began her political career in the Michigan House of Representatives, where she served from 1979 until her election to the State Senate in 1990. She served in the Senate until 1994 and was later elected to the U.S. House in 1996. Stabenow served in that position until her election to the U.S. Senate in 2000.

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Stabenow is an average Democratic member of Congress, meaning she will vote with the Democratic Party on the majority of bills.

Biography

Stabenow was born in 1950 in Gladwin, MI, and attended high school in Clare, MI. She earned both her B.A. and her M.S.W. from Michigan State University in 1972 and 1975, respectively. Stabenow has also worked as a social worker.^[1]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Stabenow's political career:^[1]

• 2001-Present: U.S. Senator from Michigan
• 1997-2001: U.S. House of Representatives
• 1991-1994: Michigan State Senate
• 1979-1990: Michigan State House of Representatives

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2015-2016

Stabenow serves on the following Senate committees:^[2]

• Joint Committee on Taxation
• Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Ranking Member
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, and Agricultural Research
  • Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy
• Budget Committee
• Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on National Parks
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
• Finance Committee
  • Subcommittee on Health Care Ranking Member
  • Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness

2013-2014

Stabenow served on the following Senate committees:^[3]

• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairwoman
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing and Agriculture Security
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
• Budget Committee
• Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  • Subcommittee on Water and Power
  • Subcommittee on National Parks
  • Subcommittee on Energy
• Finance Committee
  • The Subcommittee on International Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure Chairman
  • The Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
  • The Subcommittee on Healthcare

2011-2012

Stabenow served on the following Senate committees:^[4]

• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairwoman
• Budget Committee
• Energy and Natural Resources Committee
• Finance Committee

Key votes

114th Congress

The first session of the 114th Congress has enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session.^[5] The Senate has confirmed 3,934 out of 5,051 executive nominations received (77.9 percent). For more information pertaining to Stabenow's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.^[6]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015

See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

On May 22, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the president trade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended by Congress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions for trade adjustment assistance. Stabenow voted with 30 other Democratic senators against the bill.^[7][8]
Trade promotion authority
On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, the Senate approved trade promotion authority (TPA) as part of HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Stabenow was one of 31 Democrats to vote against the bill. After, Senate Republican leadership honored a pledge to support trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part of HR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. The House passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.^[9][10][11]

2016 Budget proposal

On May 5, 2015, the Senate voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government before funding runs out on October 1, 2015. The vote marked the first time since 2009 that Congress approved a joint budget resolution. All 44 Democrats, including Stabenow, voted against the resolution.^[12][13][14]

Defense spending authorization

On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed S 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.^[15][16] Stabenow voted with 41 Democrats, 48 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.^[17] On November 5, 2015, the House passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.^[18]

On June 18, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Stabenow voted with 20 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one Independent to approve the bill.^[19] The House passed the bill on May 15, 2015.^[20] President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.^[21]

2015 budget

On October 30, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.^[22] Stabenow voted with 43 Democrats, 18 Republicans and two independents in favor of the bill.^[23] It passed the House on October 28, 2015.^[24] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal

See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

On May 7, 2015, the Senate voted to approve HR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. All 43 Democratic senators who voted, including Stabenow, approved the bill.^[25][26]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015
On September 10, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.^[27] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Stabenow voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.^[28]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes
On September 15, 2015, the Senate voted for a second time to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.^[29] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Stabenow voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.^[30] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.^[31]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote
On September 17, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster a vote on S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."^[32] Stabenow voted with 42 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the amendment.^[33]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

On June 2, 2015, the Senate passed HR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revised HR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, increasing transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Stabenow voted with 42 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one Independent to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.^[34][35]

Cyber security

On October 27, 2015, the Senate passed S 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.^[36] The bill proposes procedures that will allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Stabenow voted with 29 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.^[37]

Immigration

On October 20, 2015, the Senate voted against proceeding to a vote on S 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."^[38] Stabenow voted with 41 Democrats, one Republican and two Independents against proceeding to the bill.^[39]

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.^[40] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Stabenow's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.^[41]

National security

John Brennan CIA nomination

Stabenow voted for the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.^[42]

Economy

Farm bill

On February 4, 2014, the Democratic controlled Senate approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.^[43] It passed the Senate with a vote of 68-32. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop; however, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.^[44] Stabenow joined with 46 other Democratic senators in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 16, 2014, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.^[45][46] The Senate voted 72-26 for the 1,582 page bill, with 17 Republicans and 55 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.^[46] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.^[47] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and left the Affordable Care Act without any drastic cuts. Stabenow voted with the Democratic Party in favor of the bill.^[45][46]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.^[48] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Stabenow voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.^[49]

Stabenow donated her pay earned during the shutdown to charity.^[50]

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013

Stabenow voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.^[51]

Immigration

Mexico-U.S. border

Stabenow voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.^[52]

Social issues

Violence Against Women (2013)

Stabenow voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.^[53]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Stabenow voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.^[54]

Voting record

Issues

On The Issues Vote Match

See also: On The Issues Vote Match

On The Issues conducts a VoteMatch analysis of elected officials based on 20 issue areas. Rather than relying on incumbents to complete the quiz themselves, the VoteMatch analysis is conducted using voting records, statements to the media, debate transcripts, or citations from books authored by or about the candidate.^[55]

The table below contains the results of analysis compiled by staff at On The Issues.

On The Issues Vote Quiz[56]
Economic Issues		Social Issues
Issue	Stance	Issue	Stance
Legally require hiring women & minorities	Strongly Favors	Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right	Strongly Favors
Expand Obamacare	Strongly Favors	Comfortable with same-sex marriage	Strongly Favors
Vouchers for school choice	Strongly Opposes	Keep God in the public sphere	Opposes
Absolute right to gun ownership	Strongly Opposes	No "rights" to clean air and water	Strongly Opposes
Higher taxes on the wealthy	Favors	Stricter punishment reduces crime	Favors
Support & expand free trade	Opposes	Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens	Favors
More enforcement of the right to vote	Strongly Favors	Maintain U.S. sovereignty from UN	Strongly Opposes
Prioritize green energy	Favors	Expand the military	Opposes
Stimulus better than market-led recovery	Strongly Favors	Stay out of Iran	Favors
Privatize Social Security	Opposes	Never legalize marijuana	Strongly Opposes
Note: Information last updated: May 20, 2015.[55] If you notice the rating has changed, email us.

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Stabenow endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democrat primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.^[57]

See also: Endorsements for Hillary Clinton

2016 Presidential Endorsements by U.S. Senators
State Sen.	Candidate	Date	Source
Angus King	Hillary Clinton	July 2016	Politico
Elizabeth Warren	Hillary Clinton	June 2016	The Boston Globe
Bob Menendez	Hillary Clinton	May 2016	Philly.com
Roy Blunt	Donald Trump	May 2016	The Atlantic
Richard Burr	Donald Trump	May 2016	IndyWeek.com
Mitch McConnell	Donald Trump	May 2016	Politico
Cory Gardner	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Hill
Pat Toomey	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Morning Call
Jeff Merkley	Bernie Sanders	April 2016	The New York Times
Mike Lee (Utah)	Ted Cruz	March 2016	Politico
Lamar Alexander	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Jeff Sessions	Donald Trump	February 2016	Politico
Harry Reid	Hillary Clinton	February 2016	Politico
Dan Coats	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Bloomberg
Dean Heller	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Tim Scott	Marco Rubio	February 2016	NBC News
Ron Wyden	Hillary Clinton	January 2016	The Oregonian
Jack Reed	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Providence Journal
Heidi Heitkamp	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	The Huffington Post
Ed Markey	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WBUR
Gary Peters	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Michael Bennet	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Bob Casey, Jr.	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	CBS Pittsburgh
Tom Udall	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	Albuquerque Journal
Jeanne Shaheen	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WMUR
Brian Schatz	Hillary Clinton	February 2015	Honolulu Civil Beat
Mazie Hirono	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Al Franken	Hillary Clinton	December 2014	The Huffington Post
Mark Warner	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	The Hill
Martin Heinrich	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	New Mexico Telegram
Patrick Leahy	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Vermont Public Radio
Dick Durbin	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	Politico
Amy Klobuchar	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Politico
Debbie Stabenow	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	CNN
Tim Kaine	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	The Washington Post
Sheldon Whitehouse	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Chris Murphy (Connecticut)	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	The Connecticut Mirror
Richard Blumenthal	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	WestportNow.com
Joe Manchin III	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	Politico
Maria Cantwell	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Tammy Baldwin	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Dianne Feinstein	Hillary Clinton	December 2013	MSNBC
Kirsten Gillibrand	Hillary Clinton	August 2014	People
Patty Murray	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Chuck Schumer	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	The Washington Post
Barbara Boxer	Hillary Clinton	October 2013	ABC News
Claire McCaskill	Hillary Clinton	June 2013	Politico
Jim Inhofe	Marco Rubio	January 2016	Politico
Rob Portman	John Kasich (primary) Donald Trump (general)	August 2016	The Columbia Dispatch
Thad Cochran	Jeb Bush	December 2015	USA Today
John Boozman	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Mike Rounds	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Orrin Hatch	Jeb Bush	August 2015	Deseret News
Susan Collins	Jeb Bush	July 2015	Portland Press Herald
John McCain	Lindsey Graham (primary)	January 2015	Bloomberg.com
Bill Nelson (Florida)	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Miami Herald
Barbara Mikulski	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Ben Cardin	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Chris Coons	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Jim Risch	Marco Rubio	November 2015	Politico
Steve Daines	Marco Rubio	November 2015	The Huffington Post
Sherrod Brown	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	MSNBC
Tom Carper	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	Roll Call
Cory Booker	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	NBC News

Elections

2012

See also: United States Senate elections in Michigan, 2012

Stabenow won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2012.^[58] She ran unopposed in the August 7 Democratic primary. She defeated Pete Hoekstra (R), Scotty Boman (L), Harley Mikkelson (G), Richard Matkin (UST) and John Litle (NLP) in the general election on November 6, 2012.^[59]

U.S. Senate, Michigan General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Debbie Stabenow Incumbent	58.8%	2,735,826
	Republican	Pete Hoekstra	38%	1,767,386
	Libertarian	Scotty Boman	1.8%	84,480
	Green	Harley Mikkelson	0.6%	27,890
	UST	Richard Matkin	0.6%	26,038
	NLP	John Litle	0.2%	11,229
Total Votes				4,652,849
Source: Michigan Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

Polls

Debbie Stabenow vs. Pete Hoekstra
Poll	Debbie Stabenow	Pete Hoekstra	Neither	Don't know	Margin of Error	Sample Size
(September 20, 2012)	53%	37%	3%	7%	+/-4.5	500
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected].

To view the full congressional electoral history for Debbie Stabenow, click [show] to expand the section.

2006 On November 7, 2006, Debbie Stabenow won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Michael Bouchard (R), Leonard Schwartz (L), David Sole (G), W. Dennis FitzSimons (U.S. Taxpayers) and Bret McAtee (Write-in) in the general election.[60] U.S. Senate, Michigan General Election, 2006 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Debbie Stabenow incumbent 56.9% 2,151,278      Republican Michael Bouchard 41.3% 1,559,597      Libertarian Leonard Schwartz 0.7% 27,012      Green David Sole 0.6% 23,890      U.S. Taxpayers W. Dennis FitzSimons 0.5% 18,341      Write-In Bret McAtee 0% 24 Total Votes 3,780,142 2000 On November 7, 2000, Debbie Stabenow won election to the United States Senate. She defeated incumbent Spencer Abraham (R), Matthew Abel (L), Michael Corliss (Green), Mark Forton (Reform), John Mangopoulos (U.S. Taxpayers) and William Quarton (Natural Law) in the general election.[61] U.S. Senate, Michigan General Election, 2000 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Debbie Stabenow 49.5% 2,061,952      Republican Spencer Abraham incumbent 47.9% 1,994,693      Green Matthew Abel 0.9% 37,542      Libertarian Michael Corliss 0.7% 29,966      Reform Mark Forton 0.6% 26,274      U.S. Taxpayers John Mangopoulos 0.3% 11,628      Natural Law William Quarton 0.1% 5,630 Total Votes 4,167,685

Campaign donors

Fundraising events

The below chart from Find The Best tracks the fundraising events Stabenow attends.

Comprehensive donor history

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.
Why is that? While candidates and parties must file detailed expenditure reports, independent organizations and unions are not required to file reports in every case. Outside groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer.

Comprehensive donor information for Stabenow is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Stabenow raised a total of $35,027,401 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 24, 2013.^[62][63]

Debbie Stabenow Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	U.S. Senate (Michigan)		$14,376,142
2006	U.S. Senate (Michigan)		$12,361,789
2000	U.S. Senate (Michigan)		$8,289,470
Grand Total Raised			$35,027,401

2012

Stabenow won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. During that re-election cycle, Stabenow's campaign committee raised a total of $14,376,099 and spent $13,434,824.^[64] This is more than the average $10.2 million spent by Senate winners in 2012.^[65]

Cost per vote

Stabenow spent $4.91 per vote received in 2012.

U.S. Senate - Michigan, 2012 - Debbie Stabenow Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$14,376,099
Total Spent	$13,434,824
Total Raised by Election Runner-up	$5,840,334
Total Spent by Election Runner-up	$5,646,406
Top contributors to Debbie Stabenow's campaign committee
EMILY's List	$153,450
JPMorgan Chase & Co	$71,380
DTE Energy	$64,700
Blue Cross/Blue Shield	$52,182
University of Michigan	$41,206
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms	$680,949
Securities & Investment	$608,070
Health Professionals	$534,768
Retired	$455,214
Women's Issues	$356,206

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Stabenow's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Out-of-state donations

According to an Open Secrets report, Stabenow ranked among the top ten senate candidates receiving out-of-state donations during the 2012 election cycle. She received $3,399,022, or 54.8%, of her donations from outside of Michigan.^[66]

2006

Stabenow won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2006. During that re-election cycle, Stabenow's campaign committee raised a total of $12,361,789 and spent $12,426,541.^[67]

U.S. Senate, Michigan, 2006 - Debbie Stabenow Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$12,361,789
Total Spent	$12,426,541
Total Raised by General Election Opponent	$5,763,160
Total Spent by General Election Opponent	$5,748,148
Top contributors to Debbie Stabenow's campaign committee
EMILY's List	$194,539
Blue Cross/Blue Shield	$59,200
University of Michigan	$53,100
Henry Ford Health System	$47,650
Next Generation	$39,403
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms	$1,471,899
Women's Issues	$651,343
Retired	$461,178
Pro-Israel	$399,837
Real Estate	$389,953

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Stabenow's campaign funds before the 2006 election.

Personal Gain Index

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Stabenow's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $15,001 and $50,000. That averages to $32,500.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2012 of $13,566,333. Stabenow ranked as the 98th most wealthy senator in 2012.^[68] Between 2004 and 2012, Stabenow's calculated net worth^[69] decreased by an average of 11 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.^[70]

Debbie Stabenow Yearly Net Worth
Year	Average Net Worth
2004	$261,926
2012	$32,500.50
Growth from 2004 to 2012:	-88%
Average annual growth:	-11%[71]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[72]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the 113th Congress, Stabenow was the chair of the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Stabenow received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Lawyers/Law Firm industry.

From 1995-2014, 20.14 percent of Stabenow's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.^[73]

Debbie Stabenow Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$39,535,693
Total Spent	$38,252,959
Chair of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms	$2,850,695
Women's Issues	$1,607,167
Retired	$1,300,011
Securities & Investment	$1,103,789
Health Professionals	$1,099,725
% total in top industry	7.21%
% total in top two industries	11.28%
% total in top five industries	20.14%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Stabenow was a "rank-and-file Democrat" as of July 2014.^[74] This was the same rating Stabenow received in July 2014.

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.^[75]

Stabenow most often votes with: Maria Cantwell Susan Collins

Stabenow least often votes with: Joe Manchin James Risch

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Stabenow missed 46 of 4,727 roll call votes from January 2001 to September 2015. This amounts to 1 percent, which is better than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.^[76]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Stabenow paid her congressional staff a total of $3,016,045 in 2011. She ranked 11th on the list of the highest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranked 13th overall of the highest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Michigan ranked 6th in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.^[77]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Stabenow ranked 13th in the liberal rankings in 2013.^[78]

2012

Stabenow ranked 22nd in the liberal rankings in 2012.^[79]

2011

Stabenow ranked 22nd in the liberal rankings in 2011.^[80]

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Stabenow voted with the Democratic Party 97.5 percent of the time, which ranked 7th among the 53 Senate Democratic members as of July 2014.^[81]

2013

Stabenow voted with the Democratic Party 97.5 percent of the time, which ranked 8th among the 52 Senate Democratic members as of June 2013.^[82]

2016 Democratic National Convention

See also: Democratic National Convention, 2016

Debbie Stabenow
Democratic National Convention, 2016
Status:	Superdelegate
State:	Michigan
Supporting:	Hillary Clinton
Delegates to the DNC 2016
Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • State election law and delegates • Superdelegates by state

Stabenow was a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from Michigan.^[83] Stabenow was one of 17 superdelegates from Michigan. Superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention were not bound by the results of their state’s primary or caucus results to support a specific presidential candidate. Stabenow supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.^[84]Clinton formally won the Democratic nomination for president on July 26, 2016.^[85]

What is a superdelegate?

See also: Superdelegates and the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Superdelegates, in 2016, were automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention, meaning that, unlike regular delegates, they were not elected to this position. Also unlike regular delegates, they were not required to pledge their support to any presidential candidate, and they were not bound by the results of their state's presidential primary election or caucus. In 2016, superdelegates included members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and distinguished party leaders, including former presidents and vice presidents. All superdelegates were free to support any presidential candidate of their choosing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.^[86]

Michigan primary results

See also: Presidential election in Michigan, 2016

In a major upset over Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders won the Michigan Democratic primary election. Polling in early March and late February showed Clinton with a lead over Sanders ranging from 11 to more than 30 points. But, as Ballotpedia senior writer Jim Barnes wrote in an analysis leading up to March 8, "Michigan has a history of delivering presidential primary upsets." Sanders won 50 to 48 percent.

Exit poll data, a representative sampling of voters as they left their precinct polling stations, shows that several major voting groups were sharply divided between Clinton and Sanders. Clinton won women 51 to 46 percent, while Sanders won college graduates 51 to 48 percent and voters without college degrees 49 to 48 percent. Voters with incomes under $50,000 supported Sanders over Clinton 51 to 46 percent. Voters with incomes above $50,000 backed him 50 to 49 percent. With other groups, the divide was more significant. Clinton won older voters 61 to 36 percent and African-Americans 65 to 31 percent. Sanders, on the other hand, outperformed Clinton with white voters 57 to 41 percent and younger voters 67 to 32 percent. Voters between the ages of 18 and 24 backed him over Clinton 87 to 13 percent. Fifty-eight percent of Democratic primary voters in Michigan said international trade "takes away U.S. jobs." Sanders, who has taken stances against international trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, won a majority of those voters.^[87] 130 pledged delegates were at stake. For more on Sanders' win, see How Sanders won Michigan.

Michigan Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes	Delegates
Bernie Sanders	49.7%	598,943	67
Hillary Clinton	48.3%	581,775	63
Martin O'Malley	0.2%	2,363	0
Roque De La Fuente	0.1%	870	0
Other	1.8%	21,601	0
Totals		1,205,552	130
Source: Michigan Secretary of State and The New York Times

Delegate allocation

See also: 2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules

Michigan had 147 delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Of this total, 130 were "pledged delegates." National party rules stipulated how Democratic delegates in all states were allocated. Pledged delegates were allocated to a candidate in proportion to the votes he or she received in a state's primary or caucus. A candidate was eligible to receive a share of the state's pledged delegates if he or she won at least 15 percent of the votes cast in the primary or caucus. There were three types of pledged Democratic delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates, and party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs). Congressional district delegates were allocated proportionally based on the primary or caucus results in a given district. At-large and PLEO delegates were allocated proportionally based on statewide primary results.^[88][89]

Seventeen party leaders and elected officials served as unpledged delegates. These delegates were not required to adhere to the results of a state's primary or caucus.^[88][90]

Personal

Stabenow lives in Lansing, MI. She has two children.^[91]

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Debbie + Stabenow + Michigan + Senate

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Spencer Abraham	U.S. Senate - Michigan 2001-Present	Succeeded by -

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