Elissa Slotkin was born in 1976, grew up on her family farm in Holly, Michigan, and went straight into national security work after college. She served three tours in Iraq as a CIA analyst and later held senior defense positions under both Republican and Democratic administrations, specializing in counterterrorism and Middle East policy.
She flipped a Republican-leaning House district in 2018 by running as “country over party,” and built a profile as a national security Democrat who talks opioids, water quality, and health costs more than cable-war talking points.
In 2024, Slotkin won Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, succeeding Debbie Stabenow. Her pitch: bring supply chains back home, fix prescription drug pricing, secure drinking water, and actually answer constituents’ calls. She aims straight at suburban moderates and union households.
She frames herself as pragmatic and mission-focused — defense hawk instincts, Midwest economics, not super culture-war.
Moderate Democrat
Achievements
- Flipped a traditionally Republican House district in 2018 by running on bipartisanship and security credibility
- Led pushes to clean up PFAS contamination and fund drinking water infrastructure across Michigan
- Backed measures to lower prescription drug costs and protect rural healthcare access
- Championed supply chain security and domestic manufacturing, especially for defense and medical gear
Controversies
- Criticized by progressives for supporting certain defense spending hikes and surveillance authorities
- Targeted by conservatives for voting to impeach Donald Trump while in the House
- Viewed skeptically by parts of the left for favoring a slower, more industry-friendly energy transition than Green New Deal-style proposals
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | $672,803 | $672,803 | $0 |
| University of Michigan | $536,253 | $536,253 | $0 |
| EMILY's List | $458,913 | $428,014 | $30,899 |
| J Street | $189,468 | $182,933 | $6,535 |
| Alphabet Inc | $178,216 | $178,216 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2024 Margin D +0.34%