Candidiate Profile: Sylvia Santana​, Dearborn Area MI Senate Seat

DEARBORN, MI — Michigan State Senator Sylvia Santana is seeking reelection to a newly created senate district that represents Dearborn and some portions of western Detroit. The Democratic Primary is on Aug. 2.

Here's how she filled out her candidate profile:

Name

Sylvia Santana

Campaign website

https://www.votesantana.com

City or town of residence

Detroit

Office sought

Michigan State Senate

District, if applicable

2nd Senate District

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration

Occupation

State Senator 4 years, State Representative, 2 years

Family

Harvey Santana- Husband, Sofia Santana-16,
Olivia Santana-8,
Samuel Santana-6
Konan Santana, 1 year old American Bulldog

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband is a Wayne County Sheriff Deputy

Age

43

Previous public office, appointive or elective

State Senator, 3rd district
State Representative, 9th district

Why are you seeking this office?

To continue the work I started 6 years ago of restoring diplomacy in government.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

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

I have spent the last 6 years of my time in office building relationships built on unity and understanding. Despite the level of toxicity in our government I have focused my energy on being a bi-partisan member of the Senate. This given me the opportunity to secure passage of important legislation, appropriations for projects and positioning myself to be the strongest advocate I can be for the district.

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

I am running for re-election to a 2nd term.

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?

I believe strongly the federal government needs to monitor and make adjustments as necessary. However, I believe our economy works best when businesses are allowed to operate without unnecessary interference by government.

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

Yes

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?

Yes

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. How many times do we have to go over this? Former President Trump lost, President Biden won. There was no mas election fraud.

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

I plan on continuing to secure funding for much needed infrastructure improvements to our cities by working with our Detroit, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Allen Park Mayors.

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

I would review my work in addressing the inequities in our juvenile justice system. I along with my Republican colleagues passed legislation labeled Raise the Age that would change the manner in which juveniles are housed prior to their incarceration after 21 years of age.

Secondly, I would consider my work in securing investments into the Dearborn police tactical center as well as U of M Dearborn's capital investment.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Don't chase important sounding titles, chase opportunities to help people"

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

As State Senator I have conducted myself with the upmost professionalism, dignity and grace in the most challenging of situations. Prior to the insurrection on January 6th, angry protestors assembled at our state capital and threatened us as legislators as later we learned of their plot to take some of us as hostages and kidnap our Governor. I stood up for democracy and have faced death threats against myself and my family. My faith in God and humanity has allowed me to stand tall, speak the truth and not be intimated by thuggery. I hope that by my actions and accomplishments for the district that the people will once again have faith in my abilities to represent them in Lansing.