Elissa Slotkin
Elissa Slotkin, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byMike Bishop
Constituency
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
In office
November 14, 2014 – January 20, 2017
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byDerek Chollet
Succeeded byKenneth Handelman (Acting)
Personal details
Born
Elissa Blair Slotkin

(1976-07-10) July 10, 1976 (age 46)
New York City, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
David Moore
(m. 2011; div. 2023)
Children2 stepdaughters
Residence(s)Holly, Michigan, U.S.
EducationCornell University (BA)
Columbia University (MIA)
AwardsSecretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service
WebsiteHouse website

Elissa Blair Slotkin (born July 10, 1976) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 7th congressional district since 2019. The district, numbered as the 8th district from 2019 to 2023,[1] is based in Lansing, and stretches into Detroit's outer northern and western suburbs.

Slotkin is a member of the Democratic Party. Before entering politics, she served as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst and Department of Defense official. She is a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2024 election to succeed Debbie Stabenow.

Early life and education

Slotkin was born on July 10, 1976, in New York City, the daughter of Curt Slotkin and Judith (née Spitz) Slotkin.[2][3] She is Jewish.[3][4][5] Slotkin spent her early life on a farm in Holly, Michigan. Her family farm was part of Hygrade Meat Company, founded by her grandfather, Hugo Slotkin. Hygrade is the original company behind Ball Park Franks, a brand now owned by Tyson Foods.[6]

Slotkin earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Cornell University in 1998 and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in 2003.[7]

Early career

Slotkin while serving in the Obama administration
Slotkin while serving in the Obama administration

Slotkin was in New York on September 11, 2001, her second day of classes at Columbia. She cites that experience as the reason she pursued national security.[8] Slotkin was recruited into the Central Intelligence Agency after graduate school. Fluent in Arabic and Swahili, she served three tours in Iraq as a CIA analyst. During the George W. Bush administration, she worked on the Iraq portfolio for the National Security Council. During Barack Obama's presidency, she worked for the State Department and the Department of Defense.[6] Slotkin was acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 2015 to 2017.[9]

After leaving the Defense Department in January 2017, Slotkin moved back to her family's farm in Holly.

U.S. House of Representatives

Slotkin with Gretchen Whitmer and Paul D. Rogers in 2020
Slotkin with Gretchen Whitmer and Paul D. Rogers in 2020
Slotkin with President Joe Biden, Denis McDonough, Kathleen Rice, and Mikie Sherrill in 2021

Elections

2018

In July 2017, Slotkin announced her candidacy for Michigan's 8th congressional district.[10] She said she was motivated to challenge two-term Republican incumbent Mike Bishop when she saw him smile at a White House celebration after he and House Republicans voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act.[11] Slotkin's mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and died in 2011 after a lifelong struggle to maintain health insurance.[12] On August 7, Slotkin defeated Michigan State University criminal justice professor Christopher Smith in the Democratic primary with 70.7% of the vote.[13] Her campaign knocked on 200,000 doors, sent 300,000 text messages, and made one million phone calls.[14]

In November 2018, Slotkin defeated Bishop[1] with 50.6% of the vote.[15] She is the first Democrat to represent Michigan's 8th district since 2001,[15] when Debbie Stabenow gave up the seat to run for the U. S. Senate.

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 8

Slotkin was reelected in 2020 with 50.9% of the vote, defeating Republican Paul Junge.[16]

In 2019, Slotkin held multiple town halls about her decision to vote in favor of President Donald Trump’s impeachment. The meetings drew hundreds of protestors and received nationwide media coverage.[17] Of this time, Slotkin has said:

I think the best thing that ever happened to me is that in my first year as a member of Congress, I came out in favor of impeaching Donald Trump in a Trump-voting district, and every day, for three months, I was asked on camera whether I was going to lose my race, be a one-term congresswoman, is that the end of my short political career. It got me really comfortable with the fact that I might not win. But no one dies, and there has to be something more important than just playing to win every single time.[18]

Slotkin adapted to campaigning during the COVID-19 pandemic with virtual and socially distanced campaign events, contactless door canvassing, and running advertisements on gas pumps.[19]

In a viral debate moment, Junge said "undue burdens and regulations" on health insurance companies caused Slotkin's mother to struggle with obtaining health insurance.[20] The video of Slotkin's response, "Please don’t speak about my mother as if you understand what made her health care unaffordable to her", received millions of views.

2022

See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 7

Due to redistricting, Slotkin ran for reelection in Michigan's 7th congressional district. In the general election, the most expensive U.S. House race of 2022,[21] she defeated Republican nominee Tom Barrett with 51.5% of the vote to Barrett's 46.5%. It was her largest margin of victory to date.[22]

Slotkin criticized Barrett's stance on abortion, specifically his statement that he is "100% prolife, no exceptions".[23] She also criticized his multiple votes against incentives for a new GM electric vehicle battery plant in Delta Township.[24] During their second debate, Barrett said he did not favor gay marriage.[25]

On November 1, Slotkin hosted "An Evening for Patriotism and Bipartisanship" with Congresswoman Liz Cheney. The event drew a crowd of over 600 and was the first time Cheney had endorsed a Democrat.[26]

Slotkin raised $9.8 million and attributed her victory to "losing better" in the district's Republican-leaning areas.[27] Her win, along with other congressional and state level victories in Michigan, defied national trends that saw Democrats lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

U.S. Senate candidacy

Main article: 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan

On February 27, 2023, Slotkin announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Debbie Stabenow in 2024.[32]

Political positions

Slotkin has been described as a moderate Democrat.[33][34] As of January 2023, Slotkin has voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.[35]

Veterans

Slotkin was a co-sponsor of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which provided funding for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service.[36]

Slotkin co-sponsored the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, which was signed into law in 2021. The bill helps veterans connect with service dogs in their communities.[37]

Health care

Slotkin supports the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). During her 2020 campaign, she described the protection of health care coverage for individuals with preexisting conditions as the most important issue for her district. She supports allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for those insured by Medicare.[38]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Slotkin supported the bipartisan CARES Act relief package, which passed Congress in March 2020. In May 2020, she voted for the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion stimulus package.[39]

In 2022, Slotkin voted for the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill places a $35 per month out-of-pocket cap on insulin for Medicare recipients and allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.[40]

Gun policy

In 2022, Slotkin voted for H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.[41][42]

In 2022, Slotkin introduced H.R. 6370: Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act to require secure firearm storage in the presence of children. It was introduced after the shooting at Oxford High School.[43] It was passed by the House as part of the Protecting Our Kids Act of 2022.[44]

Abortion

Slotkin supports legal access to abortion.[45] During her 2022 reelection campaign, she criticized her opponent, Tom Barrett, for stating he was "100% pro-life, no exceptions", a position she said did not align with the people in her district.[23]

Campaign finance reform

In 2022, Slotkin signed onto the Ban Corporate PACs Act, which if enacted would prevent corporations from operating a political action committee.[46]

COVID-19 policy

On January 31, 2023, Slotkin voted against H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[47][48]

On February 1, 2023, Slotkin voted against a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[49][50]

Economy

Slotkin's district contains two GM auto plants, and she works closely with the UAW. She supports the new GM manufacturing facility in Lansing, which is to be operational in 2024.[51] Slotkin has been a vocal proponent of countering China's role in the world, and has supported strategic economic competition with the Chinese government.[52]

Slotkin co-sponsored the CHIPS Act, legislation to address the semiconductor shortage and boost U.S. production.[53]

In 2022, Slotkin's Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act passed the House of Representatives. The bill was in response to supply chain shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed to update the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) by increasing domestic production of critical medical supplies.

Environment

Provisions Slotkin introduced to require the reporting of PFAS contamination test results were included in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).[54]

Impeachment

In September 2019, Slotkin and six other freshman House Democrats authored an opinion piece in The Washington Post calling for an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Its publication led to widespread Democratic support for an impeachment inquiry.[33][55] Slotkin voted for Trump's first and second impeachments.

Foreign policy

Slotkin was the main sponsor of the 2020 Iran War Powers Resolution, which passed, 224–194.[56]

Slotkin voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[57][58]

Electoral history

Michigan's 7th congressional district, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elissa Slotkin 192,809 51.7
Republican Tom Barrett 172,624 46.3
Libertarian Leah Dailey 7,275 1.9
Total votes 372,708 100.0
Michigan's 8th congressional district, 2020[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elissa Slotkin (incumbent) 217,929 50.9
Republican Paul Junge 202,519 47.3
Libertarian Joe Hartman 7,896 1.8
Total votes 428,344 98
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elissa Slotkin 57,819 70.7
Democratic Christopher E. Smith 23,996 29.3
Total votes 81,815 100.0
Michigan's 8th congressional district, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elissa Slotkin 172,880 50.6
Republican Mike Bishop (incumbent) 159,782 46.8
Libertarian Brian Ellison 6,302 1.8
Constitution David Lillis 2,629 0.8
Total votes 341,593 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Personal life

Slotkin married Dave Moore, a retired Army colonel and Apache helicopter pilot.[60] They met in Baghdad during the Iraq War and resided in Holly.[60] The two filed for divorce in 2023.[61] Slotkin has two stepdaughters, one an Army officer and the other a physician.[62]

See also

References

Specific
  1. ^ a b "Democratic ex-CIA analyst Elissa Slotkin defeats Republican Rep. Mike Bishop to claim a Michigan congressional seat". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress". Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Candidate Conversation - Elissa Slotkin (D)". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  4. ^ "Judith Slotkin loses life to cancer". March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  5. ^ "These Jewish women are running for office because of Trump". The Times of Israel. August 10, 2017. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Alberta, Tim (July 10, 2020). "Elissa Slotkin Is Sounding the Alarm. Will Democrats Listen?". Politico. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Wasserman, David (August 4, 2017). "House: Can Democrats Dodge the Carpetbagger Label in 2018?". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  8. ^ "Detroit Free Press". www.freep.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Howard, Phoebe Wall (November 9, 2018). "Why Elissa Slotkin took heat from angry Democrats during her campaign". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Former U.S. Defense official Elissa Slotkin announces Congressional run". MLive.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  11. ^ "Democrat Elissa Slotkin tells of mother's ovarian cancer in new ad". CBS News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "Democrat Elissa Slotkin tells of mother's ovarian cancer in new ad". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "Michigan Primary Election Results". The New York Times. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  14. ^ Alberta, Tim. "Will Michigan Democrats Really Turn Out After a Virtual Campaign?". POLITICO. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Spangler, Todd; Howard, Phoebe Wall; Anderson, Elisha (November 7, 2018). "Elissa Slotkin wins Michigan Congress seat, Mike Bishop concedes". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  16. ^ Spangler, Todd. "Slotkin wins reelection in 8th Congressional District". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  17. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (December 16, 2019). "Slotkin, Backing Impeachment, Draws Instant Protests, and Applause". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  18. ^ Roth, Andrew (November 2, 2022). "Cheney joins Slotkin in Michigan for first-ever campaign event for Democrat". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  19. ^ "Lansing State Journal". www.lansingstatejournal.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  20. ^ LeBlanc, Beth. "Slotkin, Junge face off on health care, pandemic response, impeachment". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  21. ^ "Slotkin-Barrett race draws big money, interest with Congress up for grabs". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  22. ^ Burr, Alyssa; Miller, Matthew (November 9, 2022). "Slotkin wins tight race in the 7th Congressional District". mlive. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  23. ^ a b Butler, Cody (August 29, 2022). "Abortion is larger issue in Michigan ahead of mid-term election". www.wilx.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  24. ^ Mauger, Craig. "GM incentive vote becomes early flashpoint in key Michigan U.S. House race". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "Slotkin, Barrett spar in final debate on gay marriage, tax policy, 2020 election". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  26. ^ Weisman, Jonathan (November 1, 2022). "Once a G.O.P. Stalwart, Liz Cheney Hits the Trail for Democrats". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  27. ^ "'Canary in the Coal Mine': Is Elissa Slotkin's Win a Warning for Political Extremists?". POLITICO. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
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  29. ^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  30. ^ "Featured Members". Problem Solvers Caucus. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  31. ^ "Members". August 19, 2021.
  32. ^ Wright, David (February 27, 2023). "Rep. Elissa Slotkin entering race to succeed retiring Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (December 16, 2019). "Slotkin, Backing Impeachment, Draws Instant Protests, and Applause". The New York Times. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  34. ^ Alberta, Tim (November 13, 2020). "Elissa Slotkin Braces for a Democratic Civil War". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  35. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  36. ^ Begay, Melorie (July 31, 2022). "Veteran burn pit exposure bill gets second chance in U.S. Senate, Rep. Slotkin reacts". WKAR. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  37. ^ "Slotkin Joins President Biden For Signing Of PAWS Act Into Law". whmi.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Scott, Tyler (September 22, 2020). "Partisanship, coronavirus spending, health care dominate Slotkin-Junge debate". www.michiganradio.org. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  39. ^ Barrett, Malachi (September 26, 2020). "U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin faces challenge from Paul Junge in Michigan's 8th Congressional District". Mlive. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  40. ^ Stebbins, Laina G. (August 16, 2022). "Stabenow, Slotkin applaud 'monumental' federal reforms to lower Medicare drug prices". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  41. ^ McKend, Daniella Diaz,Annie Grayer,Eva (July 29, 2022). "House passes assault-style weapons ban | CNN Politics". CNN.
  42. ^ "H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 -- House Vote #410 -- Jul 29, 2022". GovTrack.us.
  43. ^ "Slotkin to introduce federal bill requiring safe storage of guns around children". WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit. December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  44. ^ "Elissa Slotkin's Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act Passes on House Floor". WJR-AM. June 8, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  45. ^ Nichols, Hans (September 8, 2022). "Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin is leaving the abortion messaging to national Dems". Axios.
  46. ^ "Slotkin co-sponsors anti-corporate PAC bill". WLNS 6 News. June 2, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  47. ^ "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". Washington Examiner. January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  48. ^ Willis, Derek (August 12, 2015). "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on..." ProPublica. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  49. ^ Schnell, Mychael (February 1, 2023). "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". The Hill. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  50. ^ Willis, Derek (August 12, 2015). "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by..." ProPublica. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  51. ^ Airgood, Bryce. "GM, partners bringing $2.5 billion battery cell manufacturing facility to Lansing area". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  52. ^ "Slotkin: 'I'm not going to be bullied' by China". www.detroitnews.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  53. ^ Raj, Roop (February 8, 2022). "Michigan Congresswoman pushes legislation to build semiconductor chips in the U.S." FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  54. ^ "Slotkin provisions on PFAS, supply chains, burn pits, pass in bipartisan defense budget". The Livingston Post.com. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  55. ^ Pathé, Simone (December 16, 2019). "Facing pro-Trump chants, Elissa Slotkin explains support for impeachment". Roll Call. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  56. ^ Foran, Clare; Byrd, Haley; Lybrand, Holmes; Kelly, Caroline (January 10, 2020). "These Republicans voted yes on the War Powers resolution". CNN. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020.
  57. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  58. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". US News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  59. ^ "Michigan Election Results: Eighth Congressional District". The New York Times. January 5, 2021.
  60. ^ a b Lessenberry, Jack (April 25, 2018). "Hot dogs, the CIA, and Congress". Metro Times. Detroit, MI. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  61. ^ "Rep. Elissa Slotkin announces divorce from husband Dave Moore". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  62. ^ Cavitt, Mark (October 22, 2018). "ELECTION 2018: Elissa Slotkin Q&A". The Oakland Press. Pontiac, MI. Archived from the original on January 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
General

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the US Department of Defense. October 2018.