Candidate Profile: Kelly Garrett, U.S. Congress; Dearborn Area

DEARBORN, MI — Democrat Kelly Garrett is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 12th Congressional District, which includes the Dearborn area. She will face Rashida Talib, Janice Winfrey and Shanelle Jackson in state's primary election on Aug. 2.

Here's how Garrett filled out her candidate profile:

Name

Kelly Garrett

Campaign website

https://www.voteforkellygarret...

City or town of residence

Lathrup Village

Office sought

U.S. Congress

District, if applicable

12

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Rochester University and a Master of Information Systems from University of Phoenix

Occupation

Mayor, City of Lathrup Village; State Director of a National Nonprofit Organization

Family

Spouse and two adult sons

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, Wayne County Clerk and family members that are appointed and elected Judges

Age

52

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Yes, Lathrup Village City Council for 11 years, served 5 years as Mayor Pro Tem, and 5 years as Mayor

Why are you seeking this office?

I am a sitting mayor who understand the challenges of managing the needs of constituents and the business of the city. Our cities need more support from the federal government. I want to influence how critical affordable and quality health care is needed; tougher legislation around gun control; and how to make our neighborhoods and schools safe.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have worked in every city within the district, the only sitting Mayor in this race, the only candidate that live in Oakland County, and unique approach to building consensus to get things done.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Simply stating to “defund the police” is not practical, we need police reform. Not supporting the initial infrastructure legislation is bad policy especially when not using your office to influence changes.

Do you think the federal government can or should do more to curb inflation, which has led to an increase in prices for food, gas and other goods?

First we have to understand the root causes of inflation - COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and the supply chain. The federal government must do more to curb inflation and I want to influence those decisions.

Do you support changing the state’s constitution to ensure that women have to right to get an abortion?

I will support any legislation that cause for a woman to have the right to choose.

Do you support the Raise the Wage ballot initiative, which would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 and provide cost-of-living increases in later years?

I support Raise the Wage but we need to make this happen sooner than 2027.

Would you support an election initiative to require another audit of the 2020 presidential election, to transfer authority over the audit from the Secretary of State to a newly created auditing panel, and to change how elections are reviewed in the future?

No as it was proven over and over that the election was done fairly and this is another opportunity for republicans to change the narrative from critical topics that could impact us for years.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Police reform, gun control, affordable and quality health care, safe neighborhoods and schools

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Politicians talk about fixing the roads, I am actually doing it with my colleagues to change the infrastructure for Lathrup Village.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Trust the Process

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

We need Affordable Healthcare, Now. Our neighborhoods and schools should be safe. The federal government should support updated Infrastructure needs for hardworking families. Good paying jobs should be the cornerstone of the American Dream.