Jennifer Granholm
Bio | Granholm is the newly-appointed Secretary of Energy under the Biden Administration. She has previously served as the 47th governor of Michigan (and Michigan’s first female governor) as well as the Attorney General of Michigan. Granholm is also a contributor to CNN, a Senior Advisor to the organizations Media Matters and American Bridge, and head of sustainability at Ridge-Lane. |
Status and Position | Current Secretary of Energy of White House Staff |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Democrat, White House Staff |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
Campaign Financing | Granholm's past campaigns have been financially supported by various businesses and organizations that support clean energy, such as DTE Energy. Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/17/biden-energy-secretary-pick-jennifer-granholm-has-past-ties-to-utilities-chemical-companies.html |
Voting Rights | Granholm is a co-chair of the organization VoteSafe, which advocates for safe, secure, and accessible voting in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She believes the voting is a constitutional right that needs to be protected and ensured. Source: https://votesafe.us/about/ |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | Nuance | Granholm has advocated for policies that expand affordable and accessible healthcare, however she has also cautioned against Medicare for All. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-87358--,00.html, https://www.bafuture.org/member/jennifer-granholm, https://americashealthcarefuture.org/former-democratic-governor-warns-of-medicare-for-alls-limited-appeal/ Granholm has enacted policies as Governor of Michigan that lowered prescription drug costs and helped those who are uninsured get healthcare, however she has also warned that Medicare for All is a vague policy that may have adverse ramifications on the future of the healthcare system, in addition to being disadvantageous to those who already have private insurance. She implemented the Michigan First Healthcare System, which widely expanded healthcare affordability and access for uninsured individuals. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-87358--,00.html, https://www.bafuture.org/member/jennifer-granholm, https://americashealthcarefuture.org/former-democratic-governor-warns-of-medicare-for-alls-limited-appeal/, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/1_PAGER_149630_7.pdf, |
| Socialized Healthcare | Nuance | While Granholm seeks to make healthcare and prescription drugs more accessible and affordable, she opposes measures such as Medicare for All which would expand healthcare but also radically alter the current system and take away from those with private insurance. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-87358--,00.html, https://www.bafuture.org/member/jennifer-granholm, https://americashealthcarefuture.org/former-democratic-governor-warns-of-medicare-for-alls-limited-appeal/ |
| Private Healthcare | Nuance | Granholm is not opposed to private healthcare, however she does seek to expand healthcare to those without insurance coverage. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-87358--,00.html, https://www.bafuture.org/member/jennifer-granholm, https://americashealthcarefuture.org/former-democratic-governor-warns-of-medicare-for-alls-limited-appeal/ |
| LGBT Rights | For | Granholm was alleged to oppose LGBTQ+ equality and same-sex marriage in the past, however for the past several years she has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and issued anti-discrimination orders during her term as Governor of Michigan. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/us/23michigan.html, https://www.mlive.com/politics/2012/05/tim_skubick_jennifer_granholm.html Granholm issued an order in 2007 which barred discrimination against anyone on the basis of their gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/us/23michigan.html, https://www.mlive.com/politics/2012/05/tim_skubick_jennifer_granholm.html |
| Taxes | Nuance | Granholm has favored tax policies that redistribute income to lower-income earners, although she has also previously passed a tax hike in Michigan which significantly raised income taxes. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152030--,00.html, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/10/22/michigan-tax-hike-anniversary-granholm-lund/106917930/ The tax hike supported by Granholm in 2007 was set to temporarily increase income taxes and then gradually decrease closer to previous taxation rates, however the rate stayed higher than expected after her term as Governor of Michigan. In 2006, before the recession, she signed an Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income, working families to help them pay for necessities. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152030--,00.html, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/10/22/michigan-tax-hike-anniversary-granholm-lund/106917930/ |
| Flat Tax Rate | Nuance | Granholm has supported income tax credit policies that give credit to lower-income, working-class families to support them in affording necessities and basic amenities. However, during the 2007 recession, she also issued a temporary tax hike which raised rates across the board. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152030--,00.html, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/10/22/michigan-tax-hike-anniversary-granholm-lund/106917930/ The tax hike supported by Granholm in 2007 was set to temporarily increase income taxes and then gradually decrease closer to previous taxation rates, however the rate stayed higher than expected after her term as Governor of Michigan. In 2006, before the recession, she signed an Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income, working families to help them pay for necessities. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152030--,00.html, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/10/22/michigan-tax-hike-anniversary-granholm-lund/106917930/ |
| Abortion | For | Granholm is an advocate for the legalization of abortion and has opposed measures and politicians seeking to limit abortion rights. Source: https://www.mlive.com/politics/2012/08/former_gov_jennifer_granholm_s.html, https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_90815_57657-263970--,00.html, https://www.emilyslist.org/pages/entry/women-we-helped-elect Granholm voted against the Legal Birth Definition Act which sought to make partial-birth abortion illegal, has scruitinized anti-abortion statements from politicians like Todd Akin, and has been endorsed by Emily's List, an organization which advocates for the election of pro-choice women. Source: https://www.mlive.com/politics/2012/08/former_gov_jennifer_granholm_s.html, https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_90815_57657-263970--,00.html, https://www.emilyslist.org/pages/entry/women-we-helped-elect |
| Gun Control | Nuance | Granholm has supported pro-gun legislation at the same time that she advocates for "common-sense" gun control laws. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/2012/07/former_michigan_gov_jennifer_g.html, https://www.nraila.org/articles/20060407/pro-gun-bills-signed-by-governer-granho, https://www.nraila.org/articles/20070104/governor-granholm-signs-michigan-s-emer, https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/08/jennifer-granholm-republicans-protect-terror-suspects-access-to-guns/ On the one hand, Granholm has supported measures such as the Emergency Powers Protection Act, which prevents the confiscation of legally-owned firarms during states of emergency, and HB 4642, which allows a licensed spouse to transfer their licensed spouse's pistol. On the other, Granholm has critized politicians for failing to enact gun control measures and advocates for voters to propose ballot initiatives if policymakers remain inactive. She is concerned about domestic terrorism and the role that lack of gun regulations plays in giving domestic terrorists access to firearms. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/2012/07/former_michigan_gov_jennifer_g.html, https://www.nraila.org/articles/20060407/pro-gun-bills-signed-by-governer-granho, https://www.nraila.org/articles/20070104/governor-granholm-signs-michigan-s-emer, https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/08/jennifer-granholm-republicans-protect-terror-suspects-access-to-guns/ |
| Assisted Suicide | Nuance | Granholm has not spoken on the topic of assisted suicide, however on the issue of DNR (do-not-rescuscitate) orders, Granholm supports the legislation that only those who are of "sound mind" are allowed to make a DNR order in the case of death and that guardians cannot issue a DNR order on behalf of the individual. Source: https://med.wmich.edu/sites/default/files/F6_1.pdf On the one hand, Granholm has supported measures such as the Emergency Powers Protection Act, which prevents the confiscation of legally-owned firarms during states of emergency, and HB 4642, which allows a licensed spouse to transfer their licensed spouse's pistol. On the other, Granholm has critized politicians for failing to enact gun control measures and advocates for voters to propose ballot initiatives if policymakers remain inactive. She is concerned about domestic terrorism and the role that lack of gun regulations plays in giving domestic terrorists access to firearms. Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/2012/07/former_michigan_gov_jennifer_g.html, https://www.nraila.org/articles/20060407/pro-gun-bills-signed-by-governer-granho, https://www.nraila.org/articles/20070104/governor-granholm-signs-michigan-s-emer, https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/08/jennifer-granholm-republicans-protect-terror-suspects-access-to-guns/ |
| Government Interference | For | Granholm supports government intervention in regards to regulating the economy, ensuring civil rights and environmental justice, welfare and tax benefits for low-income and working class individuals and families, and ensuring the humane treatment of immigrants, just to name a few areas in which she supports government intervention. Source: https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/1104144080282374145, https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/church-state-and-individual-freedom-countering-the-religious-right-s-war-on, https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/12/16/berkeley-scholar-jennifer-granholm-expected-to-serve-as-biden-energy-secretary/, https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/904553458346242048, https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/exclusive-former-michigan-governor-jennifer-granholm-on-the-state-of-us-politics-today.phtml |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Granholm is a supporter of Planned Parenthood, seeing it not just an abortion provider but an important women's health resource. Source: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/06/28/amanda-carpenter-jennifer-granholm-gop-bill-planned-parenthood-ac.cnn |
| Welfare | For | Granholm has supported welfare measures that support low-income earners, underserved communities, small businesses, and those who do not have access to affordable healthcare. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152030--,00.html, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Overview_155499_7.pdf, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/1_PAGER_149630_7.pdf, Granholm has supported tax income credits to low-income earners, tax credits and resources to small businesses through the Buy Michigan First program, and the expansion of healthcare to those who are uninsured through the Michigan First Healthcare Plan that she implemented during her term as Governor. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152030--,00.html, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Overview_155499_7.pdf, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/1_PAGER_149630_7.pdf, |
| Welfare | For | Granholm as supported efforts to lift restriction on stem cell research, due to its potential to assist in scientific advancements in finding cures to various diseases. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-152955--,00.html |
| Death Penalty | Against | Granholm opposes the death penalty, seeing it as ineffective and running the risk of killing those who are wrongfully convicted. Source: https://www.michigandaily.com/content/state-debates-death-penalty-ban Granholm has advocated against efforts to repeal the death penalty ban in Michigan, sees other forms of punishment as more deterrant and effective than the death penalty. She is also concerned about the killing of people who turn out to be innocent. Source: https://www.michigandaily.com/content/state-debates-death-penalty-ban |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Granholm has not released a statement on her views on the mandatory prison sentence, however she established the Executive Clemency Advisory Council during her term as Governor of Michigan, which reviewed clemency applications before they reached the Governor. She also reformed Michigan's prison system by calling for the release of nonviolent offenders and seeking to reduce the amount of incarcerated individuals, as a cost-reductionary measure.. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-162420--,00.html |
| Military Spending | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| War on Terrorism | Nuance | While Granholm has advocated for national security and gun control measures to protect against foreign and domestic terrorism, her stance does not include the concept of "war" as a solution but rather national security intelligence and gun control measures. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-148939--,00.html, https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/08/jennifer-granholm-republicans-protect-terror-suspects-access-to-guns/ |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | Nuance | Granholm has proposed that the United States seek to strengthen themselves economically against foreign competitors, specifically in the realm of clean energy technology. Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-robust-climate-change-plan-jennifer-granholm/story?id=74820957, https://www.aip.org/fyi/2020/biden-picks-former-gov-jennifer-granholm-energy-secretaryGran Granholm believes that the US should be a leader economically, politically, and technologically in its actions against climate change, advocating that "We need to be the leader, rather than passive bystanders, or otherwise we're going to allow other countries like China and others we're fighting to be able to corner this market." Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-robust-climate-change-plan-jennifer-granholm/story?id=74820957, https://www.aip.org/fyi/2020/biden-picks-former-gov-jennifer-granholm-energy-secretaryGran |
| United Nations power | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Nationalism | Nuance | Granholm supports making the United States an economic, technological, and environmental world leader, however she condemns any form of white nationalism or animosity towards ethnic groups and minorities. Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-robust-climate-change-plan-jennifer-granholm/story?id=74820957, https://www.aip.org/fyi/2020/biden-picks-former-gov-jennifer-granholm-energy-secretaryGran, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgyf6UTzqb0 |
| Free Markets | Nuance | Granholm supports the free-market and capitalist system, however she believes some government regulation is necessary to ensure it runs smoothly and fairly. Source: https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/1104144080282374145 Granholm has endorsed Elizabeth Warren's concept of "accountable" or "responsible" capitalism, which maintains the free-market system while establishing government guidelines and regulations to ensure ethical business practices. Source: https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/1104144080282374145 |
| Brexit | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Affirmative Action | For | Granholm has released a statement defending her support for affirmative action, although she was the subject of lawsuits when a ballot measure was passed during her term as governor which effectively banned affirmative action policies. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/13/us/national-briefing-midwest-michigan-governor-backs-affirmative-action.html, http://www.debatingracialpreference.org/MCRI-GranholmOpEd.htm, https://www.courthousenews.com/high-court-to-look-at-affirmative-action-ban/ |
| Government Spending | Nuance | Although Granholm implemented massive spending cuts to Michigan's state budget during her term as governor, she has said in retrospect that the budget cuts did not result in economic growth. Thus, she proposes that ensuring there is a good economic climate for businesses to grow and thrive is the most important factor in economic growth, rather than solely cutting spending. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_57648_21974-83294--,00.html, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2011/aug/04/jennifer-granholm/jennifer-granholm-says-massive-government-cuts-mic/, |
| Charter Schools | Nuance | Granholm signed an education reform bill during her term as Governor which allowed for the expansion of charter schools, although she has also suggested that this reform may have been a compromise in order to make an agreement with Republican policymakers. Source: https://apnews.com/article/c8225ec34c6d4a83015fcfc59f5a732a, https://www.mlive.com/politics/2009/12/gov_jennifer_granholm_calls_le.html |
| Common Core | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Clean Energy | For | Granholm is a strong advocate for clean energy and supports shifting away from fossil fuels and towards 100% clean energy. She sees climate change as not just an environmental issue, but as a political and social issue as well. Source: https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/12/16/berkeley-scholar-jennifer-granholm-expected-to-serve-as-biden-energy-secretary/ Granholm is an educator at University of California, Berekely where she teaches courses on clean energy, and is also a senior research fellow at the Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute. She has advocated against oil and gas in favor of alternative, renewable energy sources, which has led her to be supported by organizations such as Greenpeace and the League of Conservation Voters. Source: https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/12/16/berkeley-scholar-jennifer-granholm-expected-to-serve-as-biden-energy-secretary/, https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/biden-reportedly-choosing-jennifer-granholm-to-lead-department-of-energy/, https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-statement-on-president-elect-biden-naming-jennifer-granholm-energy-secretary/ |
| Religious Freedom | For | Granholm supports religious freedom and separation of church and state, as she expressed through her speech at an Americans United speaking event. Source: https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/church-state-and-individual-freedom-countering-the-religious-right-s-war-on Granholm spoke at a speaking event titled United Against the War on Women hosted by Americans Unite, an organization advocating for the separation of church and state. Source: https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/church-state-and-individual-freedom-countering-the-religious-right-s-war-on |
| Separation of Church and State | For | Granholm is a supporter of the separation of church and state and has been featured as a keynote speaker in a rally hosted by Americans United, an organization promoting separation of church and state. Source: https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/church-state-and-individual-freedom-countering-the-religious-right-s-war-on |
| Slavery Reparations | For | Granholm has stated that she support reparations for black Americans, through affirmative action. Source: https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Liberal-label-surfaces-in-race-for-governor-7161418.php, https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/granholm-appears-before-naacp-without-fear/article_52d838a8-a788-5feb-896d-7b02f5e4a622.html |
| Border Control | Nuance | Although Granholm has not advocated against border security, she does see the current immigration system as flawed and advocates for greater admittance and acceptance of immigrants. Source: https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/904553458346242048, https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/exclusive-former-michigan-governor-jennifer-granholm-on-the-state-of-us-politics-today.phtml Granholm supports lifting the cap on visas, reuninting families that have been separated at the border, and upholds DACA and DREAMers' rights to citizenship. Source: https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/904553458346242048, https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/exclusive-former-michigan-governor-jennifer-granholm-on-the-state-of-us-politics-today.phtml |
| Passenger Profiling | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| DACA | For | Granholm has expressed her support for the legalization of DACA, believing DREAMers have a right to citizenship. Source: https://twitter.com/JenGranholm/status/904553458346242048, https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/exclusive-former-michigan-governor-jennifer-granholm-on-the-state-of-us-politics-today.phtml |
| Sanctuary Cities | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Against | Granholm has opposed the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, due to concerns over how to obtain the substance and its effect on crime rates. Source: https://www.michigandaily.com/content/2008-10-08/ballot-initiative-proposes-new-medical-marijuana-laws, https://www.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/03/granholm_doesnt_support_medica.html |