Cathy Albro

Cathy Albro was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree in child development and elementary education from Michigan State University in 1975. She also did graduate work in elementary curriculum and early childhood education at Michigan State University. Albro's professional experience includes working as a farmer, a teacher, an educational consultant, and the director of elementary education at the HighScope Foundation. She has also owned two businesses: a child care center and a toy store. She has been affiliated with the Rural Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I believe that I have a responsibility to leave this world a better place. My choices to be a teacher, small business owner, community builder, political candidate and mother have led me to this moment in my life.

My valuable experiences have opened my eyes and taught me about what others need to be successful. I want to be a part of making it possible for others to succeed and lead a fulfilled life.

I love meeting people and listening to their stories and ideas. I want to take what I learn to Lansing and participate in supporting thriving families and communities for District 104 and all of Michigan.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We accomplish so much more when we work together. I am an Independent (unaffiliated with a political party) to take the politics out of the equation. As an Independent I will represent my constituents, not a political party.You can tell a successful community by how well they treat their children. Are children engaged in their learning? Are their basic needs met? Are they nurtured and loved? If childcare is needed, are high quality choices available and affordable for the family? Are there many different opportunities for students to learn post high school? Are family support systems in place?

By caring for our children and making them a priority, we are giving them the best possible advantages to be successful in their lives. My work to strengthen our communities and families will prioritize our children.What do my constituents need to lead a better life? What are their ideas to help make their communities thrive? I will only know answers to these questions and more by listening to them and then acting accordingly. As your representative, I will make myself available to listen and explain often. I will visit each county and seek to connect with people who might not normally interact with an elected official. I will hold Zoom meetings to listen and share ideas. I or my staff will respond to every question or concern.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1) Public policy that affects the well-being of children and families. Michigan currently ranks 34th in child well-being and 41st in education. We can and should do SO much better. This affects many decisions regarding housing, education, wages and jobs, health care, nutrition, childcare and more.

2) I am concerned about what is happening with our weather patterns, flooding, drought, and other severe events. Our lakes and watersheds need protecting. We live in a very beautiful agricultural region and we must do all we can to preserve our conservation and stewardship or our earth.

3) We must not allow corruption from our elected officials. I will work for campaign finance reform and full transparency on how funds are earned and spent.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Senator Elizabeth Warren is a public figure that I hold in high esteem. She looks out for our economic well-being, and led the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She is not afraid to call out those who are cheating consumers, including banks and other entities. Not enough elected officials have the courage to call out the corruption and enforce fair practices. I would follow Senator Warren's lead as a Representative.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Many years ago, I read A WHOLE NEW MIND by Daniel Pink. It reinforced and increased my belief in a growth mindset and the effective use of creative thinking. At the time it helped me think more creatively about my small business, but it was also a life-fortifying way of thinking that affects me today.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, openness to ideas, active listener, integrity, empathy, always learning

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Curious, empathetic, creative thinker, collaborator

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Both parties should be working "for the people". However checks and balances are healthy and necessary.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Imbalance of wealth, health care (including mental health), food security, climate refugees coming to our area for clean water and mild temperatures

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes- I believe almost everyone has good intentions and valuable ideas. I would work to build relationships with those who may think more like me and those who do not.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

no

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have recently talked with a local seasonal service worker. This person is responsible for creating hospitable experiences for our many visitors to our area. She creates wealth for the business owners however cannot afford basic life necessities for herself. She is almost 30 and told me that she can't even begin to think about having a family when she is struggling to take care of herself. We have many seasonal service workers in our District who live here year-round. They are very valuable to our community and economy. We must figure out ways to support them so they can live their best lives.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would introduce a bill that would help a large group of constituents. A publicly funded childcare option for our communities might be among the first.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe the people should know how their government works and what is going on. I'm for full transparency.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I support the state ballot initiative process as it is. It gives the people an extra voice when legislation isn't working for them.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a human who cares deeply about the well-being of others. I am a listener, curious and open to new learning. I will work with integrity for the people I am elected to serve. I am proud of my prior life experiences which include teaching, founding an early childhood center for 150 infants through school-age children and assisting businesses open on-site childcare for their employees and the community. At it's highest point, my businesses had the responsibility of paying 90 people. I owned a retail business for 30 years in Grand Rapids, MI and worked as Director of Elementary Education for the HighScope Educational Research Foundation. Working for HighScope opened my eyes to the inequitable state of our public education in low wealth neighborhoods all over the U.S. In 2018, I was the Democratic Congressional Candidate for MI-03. In the last few years, my husband, Rick, and I moved up to Bellaire in northern Michigan (lower peninsula) and started a small farm. Rick and I have 2 daughters (Tiffany and Alison) and 2 grandchildren (Logan and Peyton). I am running for them, too, and all our future generations who will be affected by decisions we make today.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We must begin to have respectful conversations with all reasonable people. Listening and understanding are the first steps to working together and finding common ground.When there is a will, there is a way.Everyone in this country has the right to freedom, justice and opportunity, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am especially passionate about our children and their great start in life that is necessary and possible.

(health care -including maternal and mental health care, childcare, public education through post high school, healthy nutrition and exercise, access to nature, affordable housing, restorative justice practices in school)

Healthy families are more likely to raise healthy children.

I am concerned about our food security. We must have more businesses who supply meat, infant formula, and other essential foods to avoid industry consolidation and supply shortages. We should focus more on local growers, processers, and distributors for our food. We need more affordable, accessible healthy food options.

This beautiful District 104 is all rural with much of the local economies supported by tourism and recreation. Our water is important to this industry and our livelihoods. We must keep it clean.

The damage we have done to our climate and continue to do, must end. I will work for research and development for clean energy and creating the needed infrastructure. I will continue to vote for incentives for people who transition to clean energy. Farmers need support to use regenerative agricultural processes to build healthy soil and work toward more climate-neutral agriculture.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important characteristics of an elected official is to consistently communicate and legislate their values, which are compatible with most people they represent. Fairness, opportunity for all, transparency, honesty, curiosity, willingness to change thinking with new information, fiscal responsibility, and empathy are many of those values.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Active listener, honest, curious, critical thinker, willing to stand up for my beliefs-even if in opposition to party, empathetic and kind

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe my core responsibilities are to actively listen to all constituents (not just those with the loudest voices), regularly provide opportunities for 2-way communication and transparency, provide reasons for supporting or not supporting legislation, fiscal responsibility with a study of return on investment and intended and unintended consequences. It is important to me to work with all colleagues who genuinely want to move our District, state and country forward to fulfill our common values and principles.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like my legacy to be that I did all I could to make this world a better place for all who come after us.

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What is your political philosophy?

Our power structure in Washington favors profits over people. I am running to change decision-making power to demand that people come first.

There is much we can achieve when a majority of the decision-makers study root causes of economic inequality and actually solve the problems through legislation and allocation of funds. Our budget must reflect our values.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I will fight for an inclusive economy (including a livable wage), health care for all, high quality equitable education, a clean and protected environment, significant infrastructure investment, healthy communities and gun violence prevention.[3]

—Cathy Albro[1]