Pamela Pugh
Dr. Pamela Louise Pugh (born December 20, 1970) is an American public health scientist, politician, and the current president of the Michigan State Board of Education. She first won election to the board in 2014 and was reelected in 2022.[1][2] She announced her candidacy as a Democrat for the 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan on May 23, 2023.[3]
Pamela Pugh | |
---|---|
President of the Michigan State Board of Education | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 10, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Casandra Ulbrich |
Member of the Michigan State Board of Education | |
Assumed office January 1, 2015 | |
Personal details | |
Born | December 20, 1970 Saginaw, Michigan |
Political party | Democratic |
Alma mater | Florida A&M (BS), University of Michigan (MS, DrPH) |
Biography
Pamela Pugh was born on December 20, 1970 in Saginaw, Michigan. Her father, John Pugh, is a civil rights activist, professor, and administrator at Delta College and her mother was a paraprofessional.[4][5] She attended Florida A&M earning a Bachelor of Science and the University of Michigan graduating with a Master of Science and Doctorate of Public Health.[6] Pugh serves on multiple boards including the Healthy Schools Network Board of Directors and the National Association of State Boards of Education Board of Directors.[7] She also served as the Chief Public Health Advisor to the city of Flint during it's water crisis.[8]
Pugh is the first Black woman to serve as the President of the Michigan State Board of Education. She was voted president in a 6-0 vote with two Republican members voting present.[5] Pugh announced her candidacy as a Democrat for the United States Senate on May 23, 2023 in Flint.[7] She faces U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, former Michigan State Representative Leslie Love, businessman Nasser Beydoun, and actor Hill Harper.[9] She is backed by former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.[10]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Pamela Pugh Smith | 1,368,790 | 24.5% | ||
Democratic | Casandra E. Ulbrich (incumbent) | 1,309,760 | 23.4% | ||
Republican | Maria Carl | 1,279,122 | 22.9% | ||
Republican | Jonathan Tade Williams | 1,206,419 | 21.6% | ||
Libertarian | Kimberly Moore | 114,666 | 2.1% | ||
Constitution | John Adams | 82,511 | 1.5% | ||
Libertarian | Gregory Scott Stempfle | 75,702 | 1.4% | ||
Constitution | Karen Adams | 65,828 | 1.2% | ||
Green | Sherry A. Wells | 60,516 | 1.1% | ||
Natural Law | Nikki Mattson | 30,099 | 0.5% | ||
Turnout | 5,593,413 | 36.5% | |||
Democratic hold | |||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Pamela Pugh (incumbent) | 2,068,706 | 25.2% | +0.7% | |
Democratic | Mitchell Robinson | 1,989,022 | 24.2% | ||
Republican | Tami Carlone | 1,914,330 | 23.3% | ||
Republican | Linda Lee Tarver | 1,873,715 | 22.8% | ||
Working Class | Mary Anne Hering | 135,789 | 1.7% | ||
Libertarian | Donna Gundle-Krieg | 87,353 | 1.1% | ||
Libertarian | Bill Hall | 87,316 | 1.1% | ||
Constitution | Ethan Hobson | 48,248 | 0.6% | ||
Turnout | 8,204,479 | 51.7% | |||
Democratic hold | |||||
References
- Johnson, Bob (November 6, 2014). "Saginaw's Pamela Pugh Smith elected to State of Michigan Board of Education". MLive.
- "Democrats win election for pair of Michigan Board of Education seats". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- "Michigan Board of Education president launches campaign for U.S. Senate". AP News. May 23, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- "Pamela Pugh becomes president of Michigan's state school board". Chalkbeat Detroit. January 11, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- "First Black woman sworn in as president of the Michigan State Board of Education". FOX 47 News Lansing - Jackson (WSYM). January 13, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- "Pamela Pugh". Michigan.gov. Department of Education.
- "State board of education president Pamela Pugh launches U.S. Senate bid". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- KMoore (October 6, 2016). "Flint's New Chief Public Health Advisor Officially Onboard". City of Flint. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- Frazier, Kierra (July 10, 2023). "Actor Hill Harper enters Michigan's 2024 Senate race". POLITICO. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- "Pamela Pugh, the president of the Michigan State Board of Education, said she's considering a run against Elissa Slotkin and other Dems for the seat held by retiring Debbie Stabenow". www.politico.com. Retrieved May 1, 2023.