Sarah Pounds

Sarah Pounds earned a high school diploma from Clarkston High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Oakland University in 2005 and a degree from Oakland University in 2007. Her career experience includes working as a legal assistant.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Sarah Pounds is a housing advocate, community leader, and Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 54th House District. A lifelong Oakland County resident and mother of four young daughters, Sarah is running to bring the voices of working families to Lansing and believes Michigan needs more parents and community leaders at the policymaking table.

Sarah brings 20 years of experience as a paralegal in construction litigation, where she developed a strong understanding of how government decisions impact real people and local economies. She is the founder of the nonprofit YIMBY Oakland County, where she served on the board until 2025, and currently serves on the Oakland County Community Development Advisory Council and the Oakland County Housing Trust Fund Board, helping guide investments in housing and community development.

Her campaign is focused on making life more affordable for Michigan families, strengthening public schools, expanding housing options, and preparing Michigan’s workforce for the future.

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?

Michigan is facing a housing crisis that affects everyone.

I've spent years working on housing policy here in Oakland County because stable, affordable housing is the foundation of strong communities. As a member of the Oakland County Housing Trust Fund Board and Community Development Advisory Council, I've supported investments that have created more than 1,100 mixed-income homes and leveraged over $300 million in development.

I don't just want to talk about the housing crisis. I've spent years working on solutions and I want to bring my experience to Lansing.I believe Michigan must invest in education at every level. We need strong public schools that prepare students for success, expanded career and technical education programs, and greater support for apprenticeships, community colleges, and workforce training. The skilled trades are essential to Michigan's economy, and students should know that becoming an electrician, carpenter, plumber, or skilled technician is every bit as valuable as earning a college degree.

When we invest in education, we're investing in our economy, our communities, and the next generation of Michigan workers. Every student deserves a pathway to a good-paying job, a stable future, and the opportunity to build a life right here in Michigan.Everything I care about comes back to affordability. Families are paying more for groceries, childcare, housing, healthcare, and just about everything else. Even families who are doing everything right—working hard, raising their kids, and contributing to their communities—are feeling squeezed.

I want to make sure we're building an economy where hard work actually pays off and where people can afford to live in the communities they love. That means investing in great schools, creating more housing people can afford, expanding career and job training opportunities, and making childcare and healthcare more accessible. Because the goal isn't just to get by—it's to make sure every Michigan family has a real opportunity to get ahead.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm especially passionate about policies that help working families succeed. That starts with making life more affordable, which is why I focus so much on housing, education, and economic opportunity. Through my work on housing and community development, I've seen firsthand how good public policy can improve people's lives. And as a mom of four daughters, I've become increasingly passionate about strengthening public education and making sure every child has access to the opportunities they deserve. At the end of the day, I'm interested in practical solutions that help families build stable, successful lives in the communities they love.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

UAW; AFSCME Michigan; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan; Emily's List; Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters; MI List, Moms Demand Action; Michigan Association of Justice; Sierra Club; Michigan League of Conservation Voters; Vote Mama; Jeremy Moss; Rosemary Bayer; Ranjeev Puri; Phil Skaggs; Natalie Price; Regina Weiss; Jason Hoskins; Noah Arbit; Jim Nash; Robert Wittenberg; Dave Woodward; Charlie Cavell; Brendan Johnson; Marcia Gershenson; Shadia Martini