Saginaw’s Pamela Pugh, a Democrat who has made her mark as a civil rights activist for education and the environment, will soon announce her candidacy to replace Debbie Stabenow in the U.S. Senate, according to her father, John Pugh, a long-time local leader himself.
She replies: “Fighting for what is right –– no matter how difficult the journey ahead –– has always been my guiding star. I take that charge very seriously, so I am also taking this opportunity to explore a senate bid very seriously.
“Washington is becoming more unrecognizable and the lines of democracy are getting blurred. Without a doubt, those who are hurt the most due to the dysfunction in Washington are our children, women, minorities, farmers, veterans, hardworking families, and our small businesses. But these are the same communities that stood against MAGA extremism in Michigan and these are the same communities that will send someone to our nation’s capital.
“I believe I am well qualified to represent our Michigan values in Washington and as I listen to folks from across this state, I continue to be encouraged and plan to have a response soon.”
Stabenow is stepping down after 24 years.
Pamela Pugh won a seat on the state K-12 Board of Education in 2014 and was re-elected last fall. Her peers on the eight-member board have appointed her as president for 2023-24.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin already formally has announced to seek the Democrats’ nomination as a candidate to follow Stabenow’s footsteps. Another potential hopeful could include Congressman Andy Levin, nephew of Carl Levin, Michigan’s longest serving senator.
Longer shots include former governor Jennifer Granholm and U.S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has moved to Traverse City.
Republicans could include former Congressman Pete Meijer, who gave up his seat near Grand Rapids after he voted to impeach former President Trump; Tudor Dixon, who lost to Gretchen Whitmer last November; John James, twice defeated for the U.S Senate before winning a seat in Congress; Candice Miller, former congresswoman and secretary of state; and James Craig, former Detroit police chief who fell short on petition signatures to run for governor last year.
Wild cards are Rick Snyder, the former governor, and Amway’s Betsy DeVos, who was U.S. education secretary under Trump.
Two decades ago, Pugh’s first bid for elective office was in a five-way 2006 Democratic primary for the state House after term limits forced out Carl “Mac” Williams. Andrew Coulouris won the seat before moving out of town, succeeded by Stacy Erwin Oakes, then Vanessa Guerra, and now Amos O’Neal.
For a recent Saginaw Daily feature on Pamela Pugh’s career, click here.
