Sen. Elissa Slotkin to the Rescue?

The Democratic Party needs a new hero. Is it Slotkin?

On April 20, 2022, the Ford School hosted “Elissa Slotkin: “Shifting sands: Rethinking the international security landscape.” Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and Associate Professor Ann Lin discussed shifts in international security and ongoing struggles between major global powers. (Photo: Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan)

“Hi everyone, I’m Elissa Slotkin,” began Michigan’s newest Senator in a mild-mannered and self-effacing tone. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to speak tonight. It’s late , so I promise to be a lot shorter than what you just watched.”

Chosen by the Democratic Party to give its rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s congressional address, Sen. Slotkin promised the audience: “I won’t take it personally if you’ve never heard of me.”

In her own words: “I’m the new senator from the great state of Michigan, where I grew up. I’ve been in public service my entire life because I happened to be in New York City on 9/11 when the twin towers came down. Before the smoke cleared, I knew I wanted a life in national security.”

But Elissa Slotkin is more than her speech implied: She was also a rare bright spot in the Democratic Party’s dismal electoral fortunes in 2024.

Lest we forget: Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and defense official, was sworn in as the junior U.S. Senator from Michigan on January 3, 2025, after narrowly defeating Republican Mike Rogers in the 2024 election. Slotkin squeaked out a victory with 48.6% of the vote.

Slotkin’s career has been defined by public service, which makes her an ideal…