HOW I APPROACH THE ISSUES.
One of my major concerns about the current state of politics at every level is how frequently lawmakers act and vote along party lines. Too often, positions are settled long before debates even begin and votes are cast, disregarding facts and real-world consequences. I don't approach issues by asking what one party wants or the other opposes.
I start with evidence and a responsibility to the people who will live with the results.​
In both my personal and professional life, I try to approach tough decisions with the following guiding principles.
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1. BE OPEN TO NEW INFORMATION
I believe effective leadership requires the humility to learn and adapt. When credible new information challenges existing assumptions, the responsible response isn't to dig in deeper or dismiss inconvenient facts, but to reassess and improve.
Leadership means being willing to change course when the information requires it. I value new insights and different perspectives because they lead to better decisions, stronger policies, and improved outcomes for the people affected.
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Typically, politics treats changing one's mind as a weakness. When the facts demand it, I see it as a responsibility.
2. DON'T LET PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD
Perfect solutions are rare, especially when addressing complex issues that affect millions of people across Michigan. That doesn't mean good—or even better—solutions don't exist.
Leaders must be willing to pursue thoughtful and responsible improvements while recognizing that people have different needs, priorities, and values.
In today's political climate, compromise is often viewed as a shortcoming. I don't see it that way. Compromise that is grounded in good faith and clear evidence is how durable, practical policy gets made.
3. DECIDE EACH ISSUE ON ITS OWN MERIT
If there's one lesson law school makes crystal clear, it's that very few questions have universal, one-size-fits-all answers. Context matters. Facts matter. Circumstances matter.
Issues are rarely as simple as partisan slogans or soundbite talking points suggest.
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Good decision-making requires examining each situation on its own merit, considering competing interests honestly, and resisting the urge to force complex problems into predetermined conclusions. That doesn't mean avoiding hard choices—it means making informed ones.
These principles guide how I evaluate policy questions and inform where I stand on the issues below.​​​​​​​​​​​
EDUCATION.
A STRONG PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM MATTERS
Michigan’s schools face real challenges that demand honest attention. Student performance indicators show we are falling behind, with multiple national assessments placing Michigan in the bottom half of all states.
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Low early-career pay for educators makes it harder to attract and retain talented teachers. Strong schools require serious investment in both students and the professionals who serve them.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES & STUDENTS
Families know their children best, and students thrive in different learning environments.
Having experienced both private and public education firsthand, I understand that no single system works perfectly for every child or family.
Parents should feel empowered to make educational decisions that reflect their children’s unique needs, values, and long-term goals.
A BALANCED APPROACH
Michigan can strengthen public education while also exploring responsible ways to support families educating children outside the traditional public system. Limited tax credits or deductions may provide reasonable relief without undermining public schools that serve most Michigan students. Good policy should respect family choice, protect taxpayer dollars, and reinforce the importance of strong public education for every community.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.
PERSONAL DECISIONS DESERVE PRIVACY
Decisions involving pregnancy are among the most personal choices a person or family can face. Treating those moments as criminal matters does not improve health outcomes or strengthen families—it replaces care with fear.
SUPPORTING HEALTH & DIGNITY
​Public policy should focus on ensuring access to medical expertise, reliable information, and support systems that help people navigate sensitive and difficult situations with dignity and compassion.
PROTECTING LIBERTY & MEDICAL CARE
​The government’s role is to protect health and personal liberty, not to punish individuals or the professionals providing medical care. Thoughtful policy should respect personal freedom while ensuring safe, responsible healthcare access for Michigan families.
ENVIRONMENTAL & PUBLIC HEALTH.
EVIDENCE & REALITY
Reality matters in policymaking. The overwhelming consensus of scientists and observable trends show that our climate is changing rapidly, with real consequences for health, infrastructure, agriculture, and our economy. Ignoring that evidence or rolling back safeguards that limit harmful emissions and contamination only shifts costs onto families and communities down the line.
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PROTECTING MICHIGAN
Michigan’s abundant natural resources depend on policies that reduce environmental harm and protect clean air and water for future generations. Responsible stewardship means recognizing environmental challenges early and responding with practical solutions that strengthen public health, preserve natural spaces, and support long-term community stability across the state.
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PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Michigan must also be positioned to compete in an economy that is rapidly moving toward cleaner technologies and new energy systems. Turning away from that reality doesn’t preserve jobs or freedom—it leaves our state unprepared and paying the price in health outcomes, lost economic opportunity, and reduced competitiveness in the years ahead.
PUBLIC SAFETY.
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITY
Gun ownership is a constitutional right, and for many people it is part of daily life, tradition, and personal responsibility. Any serious approach to public safety must respect that reality. At the same time, serious policymaking requires acknowledging that not every firearm serves the same purpose, and not every situation carries the same level of risk.
EVIDENCE OVER POLITICS
I approach gun policy the same way I approach any issue: by looking at evidence, outcomes, and the real-world consequences of both action and inaction rather than treating the issue as a political litmus test. Public safety policy should be shaped by facts, practical results, and respect for constitutional rights—not ideological extremes or partisan slogans.
PRACTICAL PUBLIC SAFETY
We can improve public safety without turning law-abiding citizens into political targets by focusing on narrowly tailored, practical steps. That includes enforcing red-flag laws with strong due-process protections, improving background check systems, supporting voluntary buy-back programs, and keeping guns out of the hands of people with a demonstrated history of violence. Firearms designed for rapid, sustained fire warrant closer scrutiny than those commonly used for hunting, sport, or personal defense.
