About

Friends,

I grew up in Evanston, IL which, like Ann Arbor, is a vibrant college town with beautiful tree-lined streets, excellent public schools (that I attended), a precious natural environment, and fundamental challenges regarding equity, affordable housing, and sustainability. Although we lived in a college town, my parents were not academics. My father was an organizer and labor educator for Communications Workers of America and my mother worked in Evanston's public schools as a secretary. Thanks to their support, I earned a BA in Political Science and English from Kenyon College (1983) and a PhD from Rutgers University (1988), and I have enjoyed a career as a Professor of Political Science for over thirty years.

In 2008 my partner Andreas Gailus and I moved to Ann Arbor to join the faculty at the University of Michigan. We have made our home in Ward One since then. I feel lucky to have put down roots in a community where people set high standards for political awareness and engagement and have enjoyed many thoughtful conversations with constituents on their doorsteps, over email, and at coffee hours. I am running for re-election because I am energized by the work we have done together over the past four years and excited to continue it.

In addition to my service on Council, I serve as liaison to the following:

Planning Commission
Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee
Environmental Commission
Circular Economy Working Group
Audit Committee
Events Committee
Huron River Watershed Council

I am committed to supporting constituents in keeping up with local politics because this is the level of government where we potentially have the most power but where information can be challenging to find. Every other month, I send out a newsletter succinctly summarizing key Council decisions advancing the policies and services that you have told me you care about: affordable housing, climate action, justice and equity, and basic services like trash, roads, and compost. You can subscribe here.