Biographical Information

Born: August 14, 1983 in Vermillion, South Dakota
Marital Status: Partnership
Spouse: Kris Dieterman
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations (Public Policy), Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies, both from Michigan State University, 2006
Employment/Military Record: President of Badlands Strategies (public affairs firm) 2011-present. Director of advocacy, Publicus 2009-2011. Executive director, National Stonewall Democrats, 2007-2009. Campaign manager: South Dakotans Against Discrimination: 2006.
Community Activities: I serve on the Mothers of Hope board, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, American State Legislators for Gun Violence Presentation Steering Committee, and on various adjunct committees. I previously served as the vice president on the board of CARES, an HIV/AIDS Service Organization in Southwest Michigan as well as the committee on elections for the National Conference of State Legislators. I have received the Norman Lear Alumni Award from the People for the American Way and regularly train with the Front Lines Leaders Academy to prepare the next generation of progressive public servants.
Religion: United Church of Christ

Elections and Political Participation

U.S. House 6th District 2020
General Vote: 152,085 of 378,420 (40%)
Primary Vote: 33,976 of 65,037 (52%)

Michigan House 60th District 2018
General Vote: 26,772 of 34,953 (76%)
Primary Vote: 11,776 of 11,776 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, AFSCME Council 25, County Road Association of Michigan, Michigan Association For Justice, AFL-CIO, Detroit Regional Chamber, Michigan Realtors, Sierra Club

Michigan House 60th District 2016
General Vote: 26,570 of 38,335 (69%)
Primary Vote: 5,481 of 5,481 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan Nurses Association, Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Committee, AFSCME, Michigan AFL-CIO, the County Road Association of Michigan RUSH-PAC, Detroit Regional Chamber PAC, United Auto Workers, Michigan Agri-Business Association AGRI-BIZ PAC, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, MiBank PAC, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Laborers' District Council

Michigan House 60th District 2014
General Vote: 15,513 of 22,124 (70%)
Primary Vote: 3,276 of 5,554 (58%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Equality Michigan Pride PAC, Michigan Nurses Association, Western Michigan University College Democrats, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, Michigan Education Association PAC recommendation, Equality Michigan PAC, Detroit Regional Chamber PAC

Political Activities: I managed the ballot initiative campaign to defend Kalamazoo’s nondiscrimination ordinance, and worked on similar campaigns in Royal Oak and across the country. I also served as the executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats, worked for the Gill Action Fund, and managed South Dakotans Against Discrimination.