Gretchen Driskell
Bio | Driskell attended the University of Lynchburg and George Washington University. She was the first female mayor of Saline, Michigan before being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. |
Status and Position | Current State House of Representatives of Michigan |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Democrat, Michigan |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| 2020 House of Representatives Election MI-07 | MI-07 | Yes | Running | N/A |
Campaign Financing | Driskell received 65.54% of campaign finances through large individual contributions, 18.6% from small individual contributions, and 10.89% from PAC contributors. Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/races/candidates?cycle=2020&id=MI07&spec=N |
Voting Rights | Driskell has worked to protect that right to vote, and was endorsed by Let America Vote, a grassroots movement dedicated to ending voter suppression in the United States. Source: https://letamericavote.org/news/pressreleases/2020/end-citizens-united-and-let-america-vote-endorse-gretchen-driskell-in-mi-07/ |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | For | Driskell has stated that she is in favor of universal healthcare. Source: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20201017/walberg-driskell-spar-on-climate-healthcare-issues-at-forum In a virtual debate for Michigan’s 7th District House of Representatives seat, Driskell stated that she believes that everyone should have access to affordable healthcare. |
| Socialized Healthcare | For | Driskell has stated that she is in favor of socialized healthcare and would support and defend policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Source: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20201017/walberg-driskell-spar-on-climate-healthcare-issues-at-forum |
| Private Healthcare | Against | Driskell has indicated that she is against private healthcare, instead favoring policies such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Source: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20201017/walberg-driskell-spar-on-climate-healthcare-issues-at-forum |
| LGBT Rights | For | Driskell has stated that she supports LGBT rights. Source: https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-endorses-gretchen-driskell-for-u-s-house Driskell has voted against restrictions on same-sex adoptions and is an advocate for marriage equality and the Equality Act, which would guarantee protections for the LGBTQ community under national law. |
| Taxes | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of raising taxes. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/11/see_where_7th_district_candida.html During a 2016 interview, Driskell stated that she had not, and would not, sign a pledge to raise taxes. |
| Flat Tax Rate | Unknown | Driskell's stance on flat tax rates are unknown. During a 2016 interview, Driskell stated that she had not, and would not, sign a pledge to raise taxes. |
| Abortion | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of abortion. Source: https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/271679-emilys-list-backs-first-woman-to-hold-seat-in-mich-house-race In 2016, Driskell was endorsed by EMILY’s List, a PAC that supports Democratic women who are pro-choice. |
| Gun Control | For | Driskell has stated that she is in favor of gun control. Source: https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2020/02/gretchen-driskell-talks-of-her-campaign-at-jmc-kennedy-democrats-event/ During a 2020 visit to James Madison College, Driskell stated that there is a need for gun reform. However, she is hoping to work with rural constituents to protect gun rights related to hunting. |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | Driskell's stance on assisted suicide is unknown. During a 2020 visit to James Madison College, Driskell stated that there is a need for gun reform. However, she is hoping to work with rural constituents to protect gun rights related to hunting. |
| Government Interference | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of government intervention in areas such as healthcare. Source: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20201017/walberg-driskell-spar-on-climate-healthcare-issues-at-forum |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Driskell has indicated that she is for Planned Parenthood, and received PAC contributions from the organization. Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/C00314617/candidate-recipients/2016 |
| Welfare | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of welfare. Source: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20201017/walberg-driskell-spar-on-climate-healthcare-issues-at-forum Driskell is in favor of policies such as the Affordable Care Act that expand welfare in the United States. |
| Welfare | Unknown | Driskell's stance on stem cell research is unknown. |
| Death Penalty | Unknown | Driskell's stance on the death penalty is unknown. |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Unknown | Driskell's stance on mandatory prison sentences is unknown. |
| Military Spending | For | Driskell comes from a military background and has indicated that she would increase military spending to focus on concerns such as terrorism. Source:https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/11/see_where_7th_district_candida.html |
| War on Terrorism | For | Driskell stated in 2016 that she believed that the country’s top foreign policy concerns should be focused on confronting terrorism. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/11/see_where_7th_district_candida.html |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | Driskell has indicated that she is for foreign policy international interaction, specifically in regards to confronting terrorism. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/11/see_where_7th_district_candida.html Driskell stated that the United States must do everything in their diplomatic and economic power to create, maintain, and promote peace in countries where terrorist groups pose a threat. |
| United Nations power | Unknown | Driskell's stance on United Nations power is unknown. |
| Nationalism | Unknown | Driskell's stance on nationalism is unknown. |
| Free Markets | Unknown | Driskell's stance on free markets is unknown. |
| Brexit | Unknown | Driskell's stance on Brexit is unknown. |
| Affirmative Action | Unknown | Driskell's stance on affirmative action is unknown. |
| Government Spending | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of government spending in regards to healthcare and the war on terrorism. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2016/11/see_where_7th_district_candida.html |
| Charter Schools | Against | Driskell has indicated that she does not support the creation or approval of new charter schools. Source: https://trackbill.com/bill/michigan-house-bill-5852-education-public-school-academies-restrictions-on-issuing-contracts-for-any-new-charter-schools-or-approving-any-new-charter-school-campuses-provide-for-amends-secs-502-503-504-522-524-552-553-556-1311d-of-1976-pa-451-mcl-380-502-et-seq-adds-secs-502b-522b-552b-1311n/704986/ |
| Common Core | For | Driskell has stated that she is in favor of implementing common core standards. Source: https://housedems.com/opinion-rep-driskell-explains-her-stance-on-budget-bills/ Driskell has stated that she believes common core standards will allow Michigan students to better compete with other students in the United States and around the world by setting a foundation for the development of local curriculum. |
| Clean Energy | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of clean energy policies. Source: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20201017/walberg-driskell-spar-on-climate-healthcare-issues-at-forum During a virtual debate, Driskell stated that addressing climate change should be addressed by the Federal government and within federal policies. |
| Religious Freedom | Unknown | Driskell's stance on religious freedom is unknown. |
| Separation of Church and State | Unknown | Driskell's stance on separation of church and state is unknown. |
| Slavery Reparations | Unknown | Driskell's stance on slavery reparations is unknown. |
| Border Control | For | Driskell has indicated that she is in favor of border control. Source: https://www.lenconnect.com/news/20181017/walberg-driskell-face-off-at-forum Driskell has stated that it is important for the United States to secure the border, but that it should be done so in a way that does not waste government or taxpayer dollars. |
| Passenger Profiling | Unknown | Driskell's stance on passenger profiling is unknown. |
| DACA | Unknown | Driskell's stance on DACA is unknown. |
| Sanctuary Cities | Unknown | Driskell's stance on sanctuary cities is unknown. |
| Legalizing Marijuana | For | Driskell has stated that current Federal laws concerning marijuana are inhibiting research that could provide important health solutions related to marijuana use. Source: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2018/10/09/gretchen-driskell-tim-walberg-congress-7th-district-2018-elections/1507858002/ |