As the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Stabenow grasps that an important part of Michigan’s economy is its agriculture, and she has worked to secure it as an integral part of our economy in the future. During the past year, she rallied support from both sides of the aisle under the super-committee structure for a genuinely bipartisan farm bill. Her committee worked to produce a bill that would cut costs but still provided sufficient support for the agricultural industry to flourish. This showed Stabenow provides not only Michigan, but the Senate with true leadership on a bipartisan level.

In doing so, Stabenow proved she supports a balanced approach to reducing the country’s deficit, which is the proper path to take in order to aid economic recovery. Although the efforts of this super committee eventually were killed, as the entire super-committee system eventually died, the Senate used the bill created by Stabenow and members of both sides of the aisle as a model for its version of the farm bill.

Stabenow also has proved herself as a firm supporter of the Great Lakes that surround her great state. She continually has made efforts and written legislation to help deter invasive species, such as Asian carp, from interrupting a precious ecosystem. Every Michiganian should be supportive of any effort to keep our Great Lakes clean and the native creatures that inhabit it from being disturbed by invasive species.

Stabenow also has been a proud supporter of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. This plan helps keep college students on their parents’ health insurance through age 26 and keeps insurance providers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Although passing health care reform was a significant achievement, the law still needs refinement in the coming years. We trust Stabenow will aid in altering the law while still looking out for the interests of the state she represents.

Pete Hoekstra ran a campaign that focused on attacking Stabenow rather than providing a positive plan for this state’s and country’s future. His infamous “Debbie Spend-it-Now” advertisement, which aired during last year’s Super Bowl, received negative backlash nationally because of its racist undertones. Hoekstra was an effective congressman during his time representing Michigan, but Stabenow is the better choice this November.

Spartans always look out for one another. Stabenow, a proud MSU graduate, receives The State News’ support for the upcoming election, and we know she will continue to be an effective leader for Michigan and the entire country.