Where I Stand
How I Approach the Issues
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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.
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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.
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2. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
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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.
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3. Decide each issue on its own merits.
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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.
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These principles guide how I evaluate policy questions and inform where I stand on the issues below.​​​​​​​​​​​
Strong Schools and Family Choice
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. Relatedly, low early-career pay for educators makes it harder to attract and keep talented teachers in classrooms. Strong schools require serious investment in both students and the professionals who serve them.
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At the same time, families know their children best. I’ve seen education from multiple perspectives—growing up in a private school environment and now raising children in Michigan’s public schools. That experience has shown me that one system does not fit every child.
We should look thoughtfully at ways families who educate their children outside the public system can receive limited financial relief, such as tax credits or deductions, while continuing to strengthen public education as the cornerstone of opportunity and civic life in Michigan. These options should not be mutually exclusive, and they require leadership willing to explore smart, responsible choices that respect family autonomy while protecting public dollars and strengthening the public schools that serve the vast majority of Michigan's children.
Reproductive Healthcare and Personal Autonomy
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.
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Public policy should focus on ensuring access to medical expertise, reliable information, and support systems that help people navigate these sensitive and difficult situations with dignity. The government’s role is to protect health and personal liberty, not to punish individuals or the professionals providing medical care.
Protecting Our Environment and Public Health
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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The future of Michigan’s abundant natural resources depends on policies that reduce environmental harm, protect clean air and water, and position our state to compete in an economy that is rapidly moving toward cleaner technologies. Turning away from that reality doesn’t preserve jobs or freedom—it leaves Michigan unprepared and paying the price in health, jobs, and economic competitiveness.
Gun Rights and
Public Safety
Gun ownership is a constitutional right, and for many it is part of daily life, tradition, and personal responsibility. Any serious approach to public safety must respect that reality. Still, serious policymaking requires acknowledging that not every firearm serves the same purpose, and not every situation carries the same level of risk. 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.
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We can improve public safety without turning law-abiding citizens into political targets by focusing on narrowly tailored, practical steps. That includes keeping guns out of the hands of people with a demonstrated history of violence, enforcing red-flag laws with strong due-process protections, improving background check systems, and supporting voluntary buy-back programs. Firearms designed for rapid, sustained fire warrant closer scrutiny than those commonly used for hunting, sport, or personal defense. These are not ideological positions—they represent a practical approach to balancing individual rights with public safety and reducing preventable harm without resorting to extremes.