District 35 has a special election coming up, and getting to know the candidates is one of the most important things we can do to vote with clarity and confidence. Below is an introductory overview of my conversation with Pamela Pugh. Watch the full interview video—the time-stamped sections make it easy to jump to the topics you care most about.
This conversation is part of Michigan Women’s mission to help residents learn about their local candidates in a straightforward, accessible way — without endorsements, partisanship, or spin.
Check out the article, Michigan Senate District 35 2026 Candidates
Pamela Pugh is a lifelong Saginaw resident and a longtime public servant with deep roots in the Great Lakes Bay Region. She currently serves as President of the Michigan State Board of Education and has spent much of her career working at the intersection of public health, education, and community well-being. From her early education in local schools to her professional leadership roles, Pamela’s work has consistently focused on improving outcomes for children and families across Michigan.
Before her role on the State Board of Education, Pamela worked in environmental and public health, including leading efforts to address childhood lead exposure and serving as Chief Public Health Advisor during the Flint water crisis. These experiences shaped her approach to policymaking — one grounded in science, data, and collaboration across sectors. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of centering people in decision-making and ensuring public systems work for those who rely on them most.
As a candidate for State Senate District 35, Pamela's priorities focus on strengthening public education, improving access to affordable health care, supporting economic stability, and ensuring that families across the district have strong representation in Lansing.
Pamela believes Michigan must fully invest in its public education system and ensure public dollars are used to support all students equitably. She opposes efforts to divert funding away from public schools and emphasizes accountability, transparency, and adequate support for students with special needs.
With a background in public health, Pamela views school safety and infrastructure as essential to student success. She believes children deserve safe, healthy buildings and that the state has a responsibility to step in when aging facilities and failed millages put students and educators at risk.
Pamela believes essential public services require stable and fair funding. She raises concerns about proposals to eliminate property and income taxes without clear alternatives and supports a tax system where everyone, including the wealthiest individuals and corporations, pays their fair share.
Pamela sees economic opportunity, public safety, and community well-being as deeply connected. She believes investing in good jobs, mental health services, and regional collaboration is key to reducing crime and creating long-term stability across the Great Lakes Bay Region.
At the core of Pamela’s approach is a belief that government should listen to and work for everyday people. She emphasizes representing the diverse voices of District 35 and focusing on the issues families care about most — education, health care, economic security, and safe communities.