Hi, I’m Kate
I’m running for MI Senate District 37.
I believe in a better vision for our region, where we not only see the values we share of family, neighborliness and community strength reflected in the policies that are passed on our behalf, but also where we work towards a vision of a vibrant region that works for all and restores dignity to our hardworking people struggling in the face of rampant injustice and an affordability crisis.
Tired of Status Quo
I’m tired of the status quo, and I’m ready to help our region flourish with sound policy based in respect and care for ourselves, our families and our neighbors and friends. Here is what I know: people can accomplish anything they prioritize, and people create the world they envision. Why does the vision need to be the haves having more, and the have-nots having increasingly less? Why does it need to be negativity and punishment, rather than utilizing our collective good and talents to their full potential?
Let’s Change the Script
In the current political climate, we have seen the vast majority of policy being aimed at ensuring that a smaller and smaller proportion of people own the vast majority of wealth and political influence. What this means is that as a society we are choosing child poverty when it is possible to eliminate it. We are choosing to let people suffer and die of financial stress and preventable disease, rather than stand up to predatory greed. Let’s change that.
Roadmap for District 37 by 2037
I have a roadmap for District 37 by 2037 that will provide healthcare for all, increase housing supply to address the affordability crisis, ensure worker rights and protections so that all jobs are good jobs, and address key energy and environmental issues for a sustainable future. As a math educator, I am keen to get our students back on track in reading in math to compete nationally and globally.
Better systems of Democracy
I have been and will continue to advocate for laws that get money out of politics by prohibiting donations from government contractors that have direct conflict of interests with candidates, as well as advocating for full funding of our schools and revamped voting systems that invite more people into the process and ensure officials are elected by majority, rather than plurality.
So, who am I? I was born in Traverse City in the late 1900s, and moved to Leelanau County during high school. My mother was an art and English teacher in Kalkaska before retiring early to pursue her dream of running an art gallery and studio in Leelanau. My father and his family have long ties to this region, and when my dad retired as an IT systems manager for Northwestern Michigan College, he joined my mother in creating and selling his art.
I got my bachelors and masters degree in Materials Science Engineering at the University of Michigan, with research pursuits in metallurgy, ceramics and thin film functional polymers. I also got certified in Science and Technology Public Policy through the Ford school, and completed a fellowship in government relations with Dell. I worked in a research lab in California after graduating, and then took a job as a Patent Examiner at the USPTO in Northern Virginia, before returning to Leelanau County in 2020. I joined the family art business, where I make and sell pottery, paintings and jewelry, as well as becoming a high school math teacher and running a petcare business.
I’ve always sought to serve my community, be it through advancing technology, teaching, volunteering with local organizations, working for small businesses, holding government positions of public trust or providing loving care to animals. In the last year, I have felt called to step up. I became a local distributor, presenter and signature collector for Invest in MI Kids, Michiganders for Money out of Politics, and Rank MI Vote ballot initiatives. I put on a climate conversations film series with CCL this fall at TADL, joined the steering committee of my local Indivisible chapter to write the weekly newsletter and coordinate events, and joined on the ground floor of the Young Indivisible group for the 40 and under crowd. I met with Representative Bergman to push back against Medicaid cuts, and hand delivered constituent letters to members of congress in DC.
I believe I am the best option that is stepping up to Bring Better for District 37. Your help and support on this adventure mean the world to me.
I’m just getting going with this campaign. I need your help to be successful!