Respect for Women

My wife and I have an equal partnership. The thought that she wouldn’t have the same access to things as I do, based solely on gender, is unacceptable.

Promote Pay Equity

In the state of Michigan, a woman makes an average of 78 cents for every dollar a man makes. For women of color, the gap is even wider. When women are not fairly compensated for their hard work, not only does it hurt her, but also her family and our beloved state’s economy. We must ensure equal treatment for women in the hiring process. The National Partnership calculated that if the wage gap were closed in Michigan, women could annually afford more than 13 additional months of rent, 16 more months of child care, or 8 additional months of health insurance premiums. I support efforts to close the wage gap, protect equal pay, and end discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sex or gender.

Invest in Maternal and Prenatal Health Care

Providing affordable and accessible health care in Michigan includes maternal and prenatal health care. While infant mortality rates have fallen over time, there still exist disparities in infant mortality, especially for women of color. We must support women through their pregnancy financially and emotionally, and we must provide child care for their newborns and infants. I will invest in prenatal care to ensure fewer problems with pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. We need to support the mothers and children of Michigan.

Provide Reproductive Healthcare

Women have the right to decide what to do with their bodies. We must help provide all Michiganders the access to the quality health care they deserve. This includes safe reproductive health care services, from abortions to contraception to family planning services. I support the recently introduced Michigan Reproductive Health Act that House Democrats introduced, which defends a woman’s right to choose.

Fight for Equal Rights

Women are underrepresented in many work environments, especially in STEAM fields, business, and government. These male-dominated fields are often in high-paying industries, which further widens the gender pay gap. We need to provide opportunities for women to enter these fields and reduce discrimination in the workplace. I support educational programs for girls in STEAM and training opportunities for women leaders. Women are natural leaders and we must protect the equal rights they deserve.

Support Survivors of Domestic Violence

Every 20 minutes someone in Michigan is a victim of domestic violence. In 2017, there were 91,004 reported victims and 105 reported murders related to domestic abuse, but because of stigmas and fear of safety, many cases go unreported. We must protect victims from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse in their households. We need to support shelters that protect survivors. We need to believe our survivors and validate their feelings. I support measures to prevent domestic abuse and provide support for survivors, such as the recent Michigan Senate bill that provides address confidentiality for survivors. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Encourage Paid Parental Leave

I am a father of two young children and parental leave is very important to me. Those moments at home creating bonds with your newborn child are so vital - for both the child’s development and creating an equitable environment at home with my partner. In Michigan, the Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 workweeks of job-protected leave after childbirth, yet this leave is unpaid. Plus, providing only paid maternity leave has been found to increase negative long-term employment outcomes for women, thus further widening the gender pay gap. I support paid parental leave so that all parents can experience the joys of parenthood while having job security and a stable income. We need to eliminate archaic gender roles and promote equitable division of labor at home and at work.