Who is Sen. Elissa Slotkin? What to know about the Michigan Democrat responding to Trump

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan will give the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress set for Tuesday, the Senate Democratic leader announced Thursday.

"She will layout the fight to tackle the deep challenges we face and chart a path forward," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said of Slotkin's response to Trump's speech, set for 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The speech technically is not a State of the Union address, which is traditionally given after a president has been in office for a year. Still, it effectively serves the same function, offering trump a chance to lay out his plans.

"I'm looking forward to speaking directly to the American people next week. The public expects leaders to level with them on what’s actually happening in our country," Slotkin said X. "From our economic security to our national security, we’ve got to chart a way forward that improves people’s lives in the country we all love, I look forward to laying that out."

Here's what to know about Elissa Slotkin.

How long has Elissa Slotkin been in the Senate?

Slotkin, a former U.S. congresswoman, was elected in November 2024 to the U.S. Senate. The Holly resident defeated former congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican in the general election.

Slotkin defeated Rogers 48.64% to 48.3%.

What Senate committees does Slotkin serve on?

Slotkin is a member of the committees on Armed Forces; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Veterans Affairs.

Did Slotkin serve in Congress?

Slotkin served six years as a Democratic congresswoman representing Michigan.

After winning in the November 2018 election, she served from 2019-23 as the 8th District representative. Then, after reapportionment, she was elected and represented the 7th District in 2024-25.

What did Slotkin do before being elected to Congress?

According to her online biography, Slotkin was a CIA analyst who served three tours in Iraq alongside the U.S. military as a Middle East analyst.

Slotkin then worked in national security roles at the Pentagon and White House under Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic President Barack Obama.

In the Obama Administration, she briefed the president on national security matters of the day and was eventually nominated to serve as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs at the Pentagon.

Where is Elissa Slotkin from?

Slotkin was born in New York, New York, July 10, 1976. Her family owns a farm in the Holly, Michigan, area.

She graduated from the Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills in 1994; obtained a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1998; and a master's degree from Columbia University in New York in 2003.

What else should I know about Slotkin?

Slotkin is the only Jewish member of Michigan’s congressional delegation. She typically votes with her party, though she also breaks with it somewhat more than most.

Well-known for her appearances on TV, she is a sought-after voice on national security issues and foreign affairs; she had called for a cease-fire in Gaza, but also defended Israel’s right to take down Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

She has fought for abortion rights and access to health care, though she does not favor getting rid of private insurers but wants a Medicare-like public option to compete with them.

Slotkin is a third-generation Michigander, according to a campaign biography, and spent her early life on a farm in Holly.

Her great-grandfather arrived on Ellis Island and founded the family meat business, Hygrade Foods, now owned by Tyson Foods, which established its Detroit headquarters in 1949. Hygrade created a number of food staples beloved by Michiganders, including the famous Ballpark Frank, first sold at Tiger Stadium, the biography notes.

How can I watch Trump's address to the joint session of Congress?

You can watch Trump’s address live on C-SPAN. Many radio stations and broadcast networks will also be airing or streaming Trump’s address live.

Trump’s speech is set to begin at around 9 p.m., but some news networks and outlets will start coverage and analysis hours earlier.

The Detroit Free Press contributed reporting to this story.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan's Sen. Elissa Slotkin to speak after Donald Trump on Tuesday