Rachel Howard

Rachel Howard was born in Rochester, Michigan. She served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2005 to 2019. Howard earned a high school diploma from Romeo High School, a bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University, a graduate degree from Wayne State University, and a graduate degree from George Washington University. Her career experience includes working as a researcher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Rachel Howard is a mother and step-mother of 4 sons and 2 dogs in a blended family. She was born and raised in Michigan, working as an EMT in Metro-Detroit before enlisting as a combat medic in the Michigan Army National Guard in 2005.

Rachel deployed as a combat medic to Iraq and Afghanistan where she became 1 of less than 500 females to be awarded a Purple Heart. After he medical retirement in 2019, she went on to clinical research eventually choosing to continue her service at the Veterans Health Administration in Ann Arbor, MI. It was here that she joined a clinical and research team dedicated to helping veterans with deployment related respiratory illnesses.

Rachel went on to resign from the VHA in 2026 after becoming frustrated at the lack of representation and actionable plans for Michiganders needs.

Educationally, Rachel earned a bachelor's degree in allied health, a Master of Social Work in Leadership and Systems Change, and a Master of Public Health in Global Health.

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?

Family economics: Michigan needs to find realistic and affordable housing solutions throughout the state. We need to create options for quality affordable daycare for families, including allowing for the full deduction of childcare, aftercare, and schooling for children from taxes in the same way we do for mortgages. Finally, Michigan needs to prioritize bringing in secure, well-paying jobs throughout the state.Improve the educational system: Rachel believes in focusing on grade-school education that prepares our children for the academic and practical aspects of life. Vocational and academic education after grade-school graduation needs to be accessible and affordable, ensuring we have the skilled labor needed to build our state as well as secure technological advantages for the future.Support for Veterans: Advocating for veterans' benefits isn't just the right thing to do, it's also our duty. Almost 6% of Michiganders are veterans- they deserve access to quality Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Health Services, and telehealth measures to meet their needs when travel isn't practical.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Substantive public policy is where Rachel’s experience and skills really lay! Quick fixes often create more problems down the road and lead to increased resource utilization to fix. Rachel’s experiences in the military, education, and research all have contributed to her ability to work with stakeholders to identify core issues and work creatively and collaboratively to find realistic solutions that work for everyone.

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

The most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, honesty, and respect. Elected officials must be open to their entire constituency, which includes those who may not share the same priorities. For citizens to trust that their leaders are acting in their best interest, a rapport of trust and respect have to be developed. This only happens when demonstration of these characteristics occurs both ways.

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

While the nuances of office are many, the core responsibilities of a U.S. Senator are to provide unbiased service to executive branch oversight, and to find ways to develop legislation that services the common good as determined by their constituency.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A person's legacy is made up of so many facets of themselves throughout decades of life. We all change over time; one of the beauties of humanity is our ability to reinvent ourselves if we so choose. I've had multiple versions of myself and who I was at any given stage of development has been quite different than at another.

All of these stages of development, experiences, and personal reflection have led me to value a few things that I pray will be my legacy.

1. That the people I have known are better off for having me in their lives, to know that I have made someone's life even a little bit better.

2. To teach my children and those around me the value of humility, empathy, and understanding.

3. Finally, to be remembered as firm but fair, known for praising in public, lifting up those around me, working toward the common good.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

One of the greatest challenges the United States faces as a nation of the next decade is moving forward past an incredibly divisive time. We have become so divided that there is an unwillingness to work together even on the simplest of issues.

Over the next decade we have real problems that will need to be addressed- out of proportion purchasing power that leaves citizens struggling to pay for necessities, lack of affordable housing, health care costs, declining populations, decrease in robust job markets.

None of this can be solved without a country that is united and resolved to solve these problems.

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

There a certainly benefits for senators to have previous experience in government or politics but it is not, and should not, be a requirement for a number of reasons.

Past experience does give our senators a shared language, understanding of the priorities of the other members of Congress, and ease of the physical drafting of legislation. What it does not give them, however, is fresh perspective. Continued election of career politicians also feeds into a system too much power into the hands of a few. As time continues, repeat politicians have a tendency to lose their connection with their constituency, and focus on their personal agenda as opposed to the priorities of the people they represent.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Rachel is a staunch believer that all government, from local to federal, should not only be financially transparent but in such a way that the average citizen can realistically understand the input and expenditures.

A government must be accountable to its citizens and citizens have a right to know how and why its elected officials make policy decisions.