U.S. Senator Stabenow Announces She Will Not Seek Another Term, ‘Inspired by a New Generation of Leaders, I Have Decided to Pass the Torch’

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced Thursday morning she is in her final term as a U.S. Senator. Stabenow was the first woman from Michigan to be elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000.

BREAKING: Michigan’s U.S. Sen. Stabenow tells me she won’t seek reelection in 2024 https://t.co/wrNRPljaUw via @detroitnews

— Melissa Nann Burke (@nannburke) January 5, 2023

Stabenow is in her fourth term as a Senator. She started her career in politics in 1974 when she ran for Ingham County Board of Commissioners and won. She then went on to serve in the Michigan state legislature as a representative for the 58th district. She served in the Michigan House until 1990 when she became a state Senator.

She went on to become lieutenant governor before moving on to the U.S. House of Representatives until she was elected a U.S. Senator in 2000.

The statement from Stabenow:

“Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate. I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election and will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of my term on January 3, 2025.”

As part of my own new generation, I was elected to the Ingham County Commission in 1974 at the age of 24. As the youngest and first woman to chair the Board, this began years of breaking barriers, blazing trails, and being the ‘first’ woman to reach historic milestones as an elected official, including the honor of being the first woman from Michigan elected to the U.S. Senate. But I have always believed it’s not enough to be the ‘first’ unless there is a ‘second’ and a ‘third’.”

When I ran for the State Legislature in 1978, there were only eight women serving in the State House and none in the State Senate or top statewide offices. This year there are 44 women serving in the State House and 15 in the Senate! Women hold the top three statewide elected offices, and we have the first female Majority Leader in the State Senate!”

“Under the cloud of unprecedented threats to our democracy and our basic freedoms, a record-breaking number of people voted last year in Michigan. Young people showed up like never before. This was a very hopeful sign for our future.”

“I am ‘Made in Michigan.’ My work is deeply rooted in my love of our wonderful state. Whether protecting our Great Lakes, transforming mental health services, or ensuring our state can continue to make things and grow things to be competitive in our world economy, I am proud that my accomplishments have made a difference in people’s lives and created a strong foundation for a healthy and prosperous future for our state.”

“For the next two years, I am intensely focused on continuing this important work to improve the lives of Michiganders. This includes leading the passage of the next five-year Farm Bill which determines our nation’s food and agriculture policies. It is also key in protecting our land and water and creating jobs in our rural and urban communities.”

“I am so grateful for the trust the people of Michigan have placed in me. I am also deeply grateful to my incredible staff, who are the best team in the United States Senate. They continue to set the highest standards for service in Michigan and across our country.”

“When my term ends, I intend to begin a new chapter in my life that includes continuing to serve our State outside of elected office while spending precious time with my amazing 96-year-old mom and my wonderful family.”

With the seat being vacated by an incumbent this could open the door for a Republican to take over the seat. We will see who will throw their hat in the ring for this seat.