Debbie Dingell, Whittney Williams vie for seat in Congress

Incumbent Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, a Democrat, is being challenged by Whittney Williams, a Republican, for a 6th district seat in Congress in the Nov. 8 general election.
Whittney Williams
Williams, 39, of Canton, is a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan, having moved to the United States at the age of ten without knowing any English. As a beacon of freedom, America has taught her the significance of its founding values (Life. Liberty. Pursuit of Happiness) and has provided her endless opportunities in achieving her American dream, she said on her website.
A veteran of the automotive and marketing industries, Whittney has worked as a U.S. auto show product specialist throughout the country and appeared in commercials and advertisements for Haworth, Jeep, Ford, Gardner White, Pure Michigan, and many others. Additionally, she has been on stage with the American Ballet Theater and has performed in annual Nutcrackers and other dance productions with local ballet companies.
Williams holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Purdue University. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah. Whittney is fluent in Mandarin-Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her husband of 13 years and their 3 rescue puppies.
In her primary campaign, Williams heavily focused on lowering taxes and “securing our border.” Williams has also expressed support for restrictions on abortion and 2nd amendment rights.
Williams tells supporters not to donate money for her campaign but to save their hard-earned money to fight inflation. If supporters insist on donating, she asks them to donate it to a list of non-profit organizations, including help for the victims of Hurricane Ian.
Debbie Dingell
The following questions were asked by the League of Women Voters’ election page. Williams did not participate.
Debbie Dingell, now of Ann Arbor, has been a representive in the U.S. Congress’ 12th district for nearly eight years. After districts were realigned, she is now vying for the 6th district.
She hold a B.S.F.S. in Foreign Services and an M.S. in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University
Q. What is the government’s role in health care? Given the COVID-19 pandemic, what are your concerns and plans regarding public health in the U.S.?
A. Dingell: Health care is a human right. Government must make good on that promise for all Americans, and that’s why I am the co-author of Medicare for All in Congress. Over the last few years, we have seen – once again – in vivid detail that our fractured health care system leads to worse health outcomes with higher financial costs. It is immoral and unacceptable that we are the only industrialized nation on earth that does not guarantee its citizens access to health care.
Q. ECONOMY: What federal policies do you support for a healthy economy and to help Americans without financial security improve their economic positions?
A. Dingell: We must pass legislation to provide relief at the pump, in the grocery store, and for housing. I have confronted oil executives price gouging consumers and advocated for policies to support families struggling to afford groceries and infant formula. As a proud supporter of labor and working families, I fight for policies that put workers first. From the PROAct to the Raise The Wage Act, I have led efforts to guarantee workers a living wage and workplace protections. Also, I have long been calling on Congress to strengthen our supply chain and support local manufacturers.
Q. ELECTIONS: What federal policies do you support regarding elections, campaign funding and voting rights?
A. Dingell: We must increase access to the ballot box and restrict the influence of special interests in our elections. I am a cosponsor of the For The People Act that would reform our nation’s election laws to restore power to voters, end partisan and racial gerrymandering, and shed light on the dark money being spent to influence elections. To strengthen voting rights, I am a proud supporter of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore critical protections for Black and Brown voters in this country who have been marginalized in our democracy for far too long.
Q. SOCIAL JUSTICE: How would you address racial, economic, health and education inequities, including our country’s 16% of children and 10% of seniors living in poverty?
A. Dingell: As the co-author of Medicare for All, I am leading efforts to increase healthcare access for Black and Brown patients who have been marginalized for centuries. I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 40 so we can finally begin to make good on the promise of reparations for African Americans and the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act to reform our law enforcement system. Finally, I’m the lead sponsor of the THRIVE Act in the House which would create jobs for 15 million Americans, focused on advancing economic recovery, racial justice, and climate action.
Q. ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY: What policies do you support to meet U.S. energy needs while protecting our water, air and land for current and future generations?
A. Dingell: As an author of the 100% Clean Economy Act, I understand we can only create change by bringing together environmental advocates, labor and local leaders. I introduced the USA Electrify Forward Act to invest in EV infrastructure and to incentivize retooling auto plants. I have led conservation efforts by introducing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which passed the House, and am a strong defender of NEPA and ESA laws. I am also the author of the PFAS Action Act, a bold and comprehensive package to protect human health and the environment.
Q. IMMIGRATION: What policies do you support relative to immigration to the U.S.?
A. Dingell: We have a moral responsibility to fix our broken immigration system, and it is critical that we work together to build a fair and humane system that is consistent with our American values. I am a cosponsor of the U.S. Citizenship Act that would take long overdue action to reform the immigration system, and address the root causes of migration and protecting human rights within and beyond our borders. Also, I led efforts to extend and protect Temporary Protected Status for Yemen, while pushing to extend TPS for Lebanese nationals residing in the United States as their home country faces crises.