'Amazing voice for the people': Lansing officials laud Stabenow after she announces plan to retire

Politicians and organizations based in Lansing reacted with praise and recognition Thursday after Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, announced she would not seek reelection in 2024.

Stabenow, a former Ingham County commissioner and state representative, has held the position since 2001 and serves as the state’s first female senator.

U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, who name was quickly floated by many on social media as a possible contender for the open position, said on Twitter that Stabenow “brought her tireless spirit and passion for Michigan to public service.”

“As the first woman elected to represent our state in the U.S. Senate, she's been our mentor, our leader and our trailblazer. And to me personally, she has been a friend, confidant and invaluable sounding board,” she continued. Slotkin said she spoke with Stabenow on Thursday morning and thanked her for her work with Michigan farmers, manufacturers and small business owners.

Slotkin’s communications team declined to comment on the Lansing congresswoman’s future plans, but Max Cohen of DC-based Punchbowl News reported that “a source close to Elissa Slotkin's team says she's seriously considering running for Senate in '24.” The website domains “SlotkinForSenate” and “SlotkinForMichigan” also were privately registered today, according to MLive’s Simon Schuster.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer quickly dispelled speculation that she would run for Stabenow's seat, saying in a statement that “as governor of this great state for the next four years, I look forward to working with her through the end of her term and beyond in however she serves our state next.”

Whitmer said Stabenow has “been leading the fight for working families, the auto industry, and farmers for a lifetime in Michigan and for Michigan in Washington, DC.” She also praised Stabenow's work with agriculture and protecting the Great Lakes.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, who recently praised Stabenow for her work on the American Rescue Plan Act, said she has been “an amazing voice for the people of Michigan, especially those in her hometown of Lansing. She has represented the people here and served as a voice for so many in our community from her service in the state Capitol all the way to the halls of Congress.”

“Her leadership will be greatly missed, and I wish her the best as she moves onto the next chapter,” he said.

Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum said on Twitter that Stabenow has been a “remarkable public servant, stateswoman and consummate professional. She continues to be a role model to women who are considering running for office. I wish her well for the remainder of her term and for years to come.”

Ken Fletcher, Delta Township Supervisor, said that Stabenow has "just been such a leader for our region for decades now. It's going to be a huge loss in terms of leadership, but I definitely wish her well, as she moves into retirement. She certainly has earned it, has served the people of the Capital Region and Michigan well for all these years."

Several Lansing-area organizations have weighed in on Stabenow’s decision as well.

Elaine Hardy, chairperson of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, said she had four words about Stabenow's retirement – “say it ain't so!”

“Her work in keeping Michigan at the forefront of national conversations regarding our water quality, our farming industry, our automobile industry, and civil rights is unparalleled,” Hardy continued. “We're extremely thankful for the work that she's done for our community, for our region. We are certainly going to be sad to see her leave, but she has a well-deserved retirement ahead of her.”

Jim Holcomb, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce said that “while we haven’t always agreed on policy issues, Sen. Stabenow has been a strong, important voice dedicated to the Great Lakes State for several decades. We commend her commitment to public service and to Michigan.”

The Livingston County Democratic Party said in a statement, “U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow has been one of the hardest-working, smartest senators Michigan has ever had.”

“She has protected the Great Lakes, fought for our health care and our education, and blazed trails for women ever since she ran for Ingham County Commissioner at the age of 24. She has certainly earned her time off, but we will miss her commitment, her grace under pressure, and her unwavering support for Michigan values,” continued chair Judy Daubenmier.

Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Sen. Debbie Stabenow's career contributions lauded by officials