Candidate Profile, Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, U.S. Congress; Detroit Area

DETROIT — Democrat Sherry Gay-Dagnogo is one numerous candidates seeking the newly drawn 13th U.S. Congressional District, which includes large sections of Detroit. Here's how she filled out her candidate profile:

Name

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

Campaign website

https://sherryforcongress.com/

City or town of residence

Detroit

Office sought

U.S. Congress

District, if applicable

District #13

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

MS, Education, Wayne State University; M.Ed, Instructional Technology, Wayne State University

Occupation

Government Relations Consultant

Family

One adult son, Jordan, who is a DPS and Cass Tech graduate, and a rescue Beagle-Pointer named Bella.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

55 years old

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Yes, I am a current at-large member of the Detroit Public Schools Board of Education; assumed office in January 2021. I served three two-year terms in the Michigan House of Representatives (2014-2020).

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking election to U.S. Congress to address injustice, inequality, and unfairness. I want to change the national direction of Workforce Development and job creation; maintain free and fair elections, which are the lifeblood of our democracy, and fight for environmental justice that impacts urban areas.

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

I am the only grassroots candidate in the race with a 100% pro-choice, pro-labor rating who has served in 1). the Michigan House of Representatives (2014-2020) and 2). the Detroit Public Schools Board of Education (2021-present).

As a state Representative, I sponsored the Clean Slate and Good Moral Character laws that reformed regulatory rules to give some ex-offenders access to nearly one million jobs that require licensing. I operate under the notion that working class and disaffected Americans must dismantle barriers to win equity and parity in this country.

Further, I have also been recognized by legislative and community groups for building effective coalitions to make government more accessible and responsive.

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

N/A

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?

There are no easy answers to resolve inflation. I believe the Federal Reserve Bank is on the right track with raised interest rates. However, moderate rate hikes should be balanced with workers’ ability to protect their wages against price pressures. If rates are raised too aggressively and wage protections fail to meet that aggression, the economy will suffer.

The same will hold true if interest rates and wage increases devolve into a tit-for-tat competition. There is some light in the dampening of economic distortions imposed by COVID-19 as they are highly likely to become less extreme, and real wages are realized. Lastly, the solution may be personal to each household and will not be the easiest thing to do: Find ways to spend less and save and/or invest more, if possible.

I understand the COVID-19 crisis is the root cause of inflation. During the initial phases of the pandemic, to an historically unprecedented degree, spending shifted into goods consumption and residential investment, moving away from services and government. At the same time this change in demand occurred, global supply chains snarled because COVID-19 outbreaks shutdown the world’s ports. These pandemic-borne distortions on both the demand and supply sides are the sources of inflation.

Federal spending has not played the role in inflation that some claim it has. COVID-19 economic relief helped families stay afloat during a time in which America lost over one million lives to the Coronavirus and hundreds of thousands of frontline workers had no jobs to go to. Because of federal spending, vaccination rates are rising in key global manufacturing and shipping hubs. Cargo costs and other measures of supply chain bottlenecks seem to be easing. Most importantly, durable goods buying sprees fueled by demand and accessibility are not expected to continue.

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

Yes, I believe reproductive freedom should be protected under the state constitution. I understand actions are underway to put an amendment on the November ballot that would override a 90-year-old state law that makes abortion a felony, even in the case of rape or incest.

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, I support Michigan's Raise the Wage ballot initiative. As a state Representative I voted in support of the One Fair Wage and MI Time to Care citizen ballot initiatives that were later gutted by the opposing party. I believe then, as I do now the referendum process is an incredible opportunity for everyday citizens to make their voices heard.

We are keeping an eye on California, which recently announced the initiative to raise the minimum wage from $15 to $18 an hour will appear on the 2026 ballot.

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, I would not support an election initiative to require another audit of the 2020 presidential election and transfer authority to an auditing panel from the Secretary of State. There was no substantial fraud in the 2020 elections, as determined by the U.S. Attorney General and election officials across the country.

However, fraud has been alleged in post-election activities. According to news reports, the FBI and the Department of Justice are investigating 84 people across seven states, including Michigan, for allegedly signing fake documents that declared the former president winner of the 2020 elections.

I disagree with attempts to transfer any power and function from the Secretary of State to an unknown and untried entity whose make up and purpose has yet to be fully determined or disclosed.

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

I intend to address gun violence, Education, fairness for Fire Fighters, environmental issues, and healthcare disparity.

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

My actions to expand workforce development and criminal justice reform through both the Michigan Clean Slate and Good Moral Character laws. Additionally, my co-sponsorship of the Reproductive Health Act to protect women's right to choose and freedom from prosecution if they elect have an abortion.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Lead with your heart and work with determination that is unfaltering.

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

As a former Detroit City Council staffer for nearly 10 years, I learned firsthand the myriad of issues that plague many urban communities and have made a commitment to advocate for quality education, public safety, and equal access to opportunity. I have and will always be a voice for the voiceless. I’m a natural connector who will address the needs of a very diverse district and broker alliances that will benefit families no matter where they live within the 13th Congressional District.