Shannon Wayne

Shannon Wayne earned a high school diploma from Kimball High School. Wayne earned a bachelor's degree from Lawrence Technological University in 1998, a graduate degree from Lawrence Technological University in 2003, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University in 2020. Her career experience includes working as an engineering manager.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Shannon Dare Wayne is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 31. A longtime Milan resident, Wayne has served on the Milan City Council and as chair of the city’s Downtown Development Authority. During her local government service, she has worked on infrastructure, economic development, recreation, downtown improvements, and securing state and federal funding for community projects.

Wayne has nearly three decades of experience in the automotive industry, including leadership roles in manufacturing, engineering, quality, product planning, and strategy. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and MS in Manufacturing Engineering from Wayne State University, as well as a BS Industrial Management, MS Industrial Operations, and an MBA from Lawrence Technological University. She also serves as a trustee of Michigan Technological University.

Her campaign focuses on lowering costs for working families, strengthening public education and career training, improving roads and water infrastructure, expanding housing affordability, and supporting Michigan’s manufacturing and skilled workforce. She has also emphasized local decision-making and community safeguards regarding large-scale development, including proposed data centers.

Wayne lives in Milan with her husband and their three children.

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?

Lowering Costs for Working Families

The cost of living is a central priority, with an emphasis on making everyday expenses more manageable for Michigan families. Areas of focus include prescription drug affordability, utility costs, property taxes, and reducing fees that add to household expenses. Our campaign focuses on measures such as limiting the cost of insulin and inhalers and addressing practices such as junk fees and surge pricing. It is our goal to ensure that working families can keep more of what they earn while maintaining access to essential goods and services.Strengthening Public Education & Workforce Development

Strong public schools and expanded opportunities for students to pursue college, skilled trades, and other career pathways. Priorities include maintaining universal school meals, improving funding equity among school districts, expanding Career and Technical Education and apprenticeship opportunities, and supporting literacy and student well-being. Our campaign also emphasizes strengthening Michigan's workforce by connecting education and training more directly with the needs of employers and the state's manufacturing and skilled-trades economy.Infrastructure, Housing & Stronger Communities

Improving Michigan's infrastructure is essential while addressing housing affordability and community development. Priorities include repairing roads and water systems, replacing lead service lines, improving transportation funding, and supporting investments in local infrastructure. Our campaign also supports policies intended to encourage housing development and improve affordability. As Michigan considers major new industrial and data-center investments, the campaign supports community safeguards addressing infrastructure, water, energy, tax incentives, and local input. We focus on practical investments that strengthen communities and support long-term economic development.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education and workforce development are key areas of the campaign, informed by three master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, and nearly 30 years of experience in Michigan’s manufacturing and automotive industries. Our campaign emphasizes stronger connections between K-12 schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeship programs, and employers. Priorities include expanding Career and Technical Education, skilled-trades pathways, and opportunities that prepare students for Michigan’s evolving workforce. We are working to connect education and economic development to help identify emerging workforce needs, strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing base, and create pathways to good-paying careers.