Michigan House of Representatives, District 48

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Jennifer Conlin is an incumbent Democrat running for her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 48th District. Prior to joining the Michigan legislature Conlin had a decades-long career in journalism.

During her first two terms in the Michigan legislature Conlin has accomplished a lot for a variety of her legislative priorities. On reproductive rights she voted to repeal Michigan's 1931 abortion ban, supported the Reproductive Health Act removing remaining restrictions after Proposal 3, and sponsored the Michigan Family Protection Act extending legal protections to children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy. She backed labor priorities including repealing Michigan's "Right to Work" law and restoring prevailing wage protections, and pushed economic measures like quintupling the Working Families Tax Credit and cracking down on predatory payday lending. On the environment she advanced PFAS accountability legislation targeting polluters and supported the Clean Energy and Jobs Act mandating 50% renewable energy by 2030. She's also championed insulin cost-reduction bills, grants for free health clinics, universal free school meals for K-12 students, and tuition assistance programs like MI Reconnect and expanded National Guard education benefits. As chair of the Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee, she secured funding for veterans' services while backing gun safety measures and electronic ballot access for overseas military families.
Conlin's priorities begin with the physical condition of her district. She wants to repair roads and bridges, expand affordable high-speed internet, renovate schools, and upgrade water infrastructure to reduce flooding and PFAS contamination while creating well-paid local jobs. On the environment, she would manage parks and open spaces sustainably, make recreation areas more accessible, support farmers hit by contamination, and hold polluters accountable. Her public health agenda rests on the view that no one should have to choose between debt and leaving a condition untreated, and includes funding drug treatment centers, investing in mental health clinics, lowering prescription drug costs, and backing gun safety measures like safe firearm storage. For schools, she calls for pay incentives to retain and recruit teachers, updated textbooks and technology, more personalized learning for vulnerable and special needs students, and stronger school safety. On the economy, she would support small businesses and farmers, offer rent relief, invest in affordable housing, promote green energy, and push for fair wages and affordable childcare.
Conlin has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Equality Michigan Action Network, Michigan AFL-CIO, Sierra Club - Michigan, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Association for Justice, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Conlin is running against Republican Brian Ignatowski who aligns with typical conservative priorities.

Jennifer Conlin is the most progressive choice in this race.