NOVEMBER 3 • 2022 | 19

WHAT ARE MICHIGAN’S GREATEST 
CHALLENGES AND BEST 
OPPORTUNITIES?
Given Michigan’s heavy reliance on 
the automotive industry, I believe our 
greatest economic challenge is ensuring 
that we lead the change from the internal 
combustion engine to the electrification 
of the automobile. I want Michigan 
companies to create a world-changing 
battery and other technological marvels 
that will make our state the capital of the 
automotive industry for the next century. 
One way I can support this in Congress is 
through trade policy. I will seek to create 
jobs for Michigan and America through 
fair trade. For too long, we have not had a 
level playing field with auto manufacturers 
around the world. Our vehicles have 
been disadvantaged with punitive 
tariffs on our vehicles and subsidies by 
foreign governments of their domestic 
manufacturers. 

HOW WILL YOU WORK TO CLOSE 
THE POLITICAL DIVIDE THAT SEEMS 
TO DOMINATE MUCH OF THE 
POLITICAL AGENDA?
George Stephanopoulos was a professor 
of mine in the late 90s at Columbia’s 
School of International and Public Affairs. 
At that time, he lamented the escalating 
partisanship that he had witnessed in 
Washington. As we are all aware, the 
extremism and vilification of the other 
side has grown worse in the last two 
decades. We have watched in horror as 
each party has dismissed the other as 
evil or unpatriotic, rather than trying 
to understand a different perspective 
and reach common ground. In today’s 
Washington, I have a difficult time 
identifying centrists like Sam Nunn, 
Richard Lugar, and Tip O’Neill. I would 
commit to reset our political discourse and 
be one of those voices who always seeks to 
understand the other side’s perspective. 

HOW MIGHT YOU WORK TO 
ENHANCE THE LONG AND RICH 
HISTORY BETWEEN THE STATE 
OF MICHIGAN AND THE STATE OF 
ISRAEL?
When my wife and I traveled to 

Jerusalem in 2014, the strong ties between 
Michigan and Israel were immediately 
apparent. The (William) Davidson Center 
and Archaeological Park is close to the 
markers honoring the Hermelin family for 
their philanthropy in restoring areas of the 
ancient wall near the Temple Mount. The 
Davidsons and the Hermelins are iconic 
Jewish families from the Detroit Area. If 
the voters of the 11th District give me the 
honor of serving in Congress, I will do 
all that I can to enhance those ties. The 
United States must always stand alongside 
a democracy that protects minorities 
and gives them representation within the 
legislature. Israel is precisely that type of 
an ally, a parliamentary democracy with 
Israeli Arabs serving in the Knesset. Israel 
sets an example of tolerance within a 
region of the world that is not known for 
that quality. In Congress, I would advocate 
expanding on the success of the Abraham 
accords that normalized relations between 
Israel and several of its Arab neighbors. 
Normalized relations between Saudi 
Arabia and Israel should be the goal on 
which our State Department is relentlessly 
focused.

12th District
District 13 Democratic incumbent Rashida 
Tlaib is facing Republican Steven Elliott 
in the 12th District. Michigan lost a 
congressional seat due to redistricting 
and Tlaib chose to run in the new 12th 
District, which links Detroit’s west side with 
western Wayne County communities such 
as Livonia, Westland, Redford, Dearborn 
and Dearborn Heights, as well as Oakland 
County’s Southfield. 

Rashida Tlaib

RASHIDA TLAIB
DESCRIBE YOUR TOP 
THREE PRIORITIES IF 
ELECTED?
Economic Justice — It 
should not be this hard 
for people to thrive in 
our country. I’ve heard 
from residents who are 
struggling to make ends 
meet while corporations make record 
profits. I will continue to fight for higher 
wages, better jobs, workplace rights and 

protections. I will also continue to fight 
for policies that would reduce poverty, 
especially among children.
Environmental Justice — We have a right 
to breathe clean air, drink clean water, 
and grow food in clean soil. I have been 
a leader when it comes to environmental 
justice in Congress, and I will continue to 
take on this critical work.
Racial Justice — From housing to voting 
rights and public safety — racial justice is 
essential for our country to move forward 
in an equitable way that lifts everyone up. 
I’ve introduced legislation that would give 
residents a key tool to fight discrimination 
in policies, schools, and in the workplace. 
I’ve authored legislation that would make 
it easier to vote, and I’ve introduced 
legislation to end discrimination in auto 
insurance.

WHAT ARE MICHIGAN’S GREATEST 
CHALLENGES AND BEST 
OPPORTUNITIES?
Michigan’s best opportunities will 
always be within the people. We have such 
diverse and rich culture throughout the 
state of Michigan. We are truly stronger 
together and have achieved so much when 
we’ve worked together. We continue to 
put the world on wheels, we’ve birthed 
and contributed greatly to movements 
such as the civil rights and labor rights 
movements. This is truly a special place. 
As we move forward, we must center 
people and their needs, and work to 
address the systemic issues we continue to 
see. As a Congressmember, I’m going to 
continue to push transformative legislation 
that will improve the quality of life for 
residents. It truly should not be this hard 
for people to thrive.

HOW WILL YOU WORK TO CLOSE 
THE POLITICAL DIVIDE THAT SEEMS 
TO DOMINATE MUCH OF THE 
POLITICAL AGENDA?
I would continue to operate from a place 
of love and understanding that puts people 
first when it comes to the issues we are 
facing. There are currently very dangerous 
attempts to push an agenda that pits 
communities against each other and seeks 
to other people based on their race, gender, 

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