Michigan Women Running: Connie Saltonstall, 1st Congressional District

CHARLEVOIX – Democrats in Michigan’s First Congressional District will have a choice in the August Primary, with the announcement March 9 of Connie Saltonstall's campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat Bart Stupak in Michigan's 1st Congressional District. Supporters have launched a petition drive to collect the 1,000 signatures required to place her name on the August primary ballot.

Saltonstall, a life long Charlevoix resident, declared that one of her top priorities is to work for affordable, accessible healthcare for all Americans and to support what the Supreme Court has ruled as a woman’s right to privacy. She said she has heard from Democrats throughout the First District who demand a candidate who will support real healthcare reform.

Saltonstall ran for State Representative in the 105th District in 2008 and served as a Charlevoix County Commissioner in 2006. A graduate of Charlevoix High School and the University of Michigan, she taught fourth grade in the Charlevoix Schools and, in 1978, was elected to the Charlevoix Board of Education.

She also founded and was Vice President of a small, nationally known research and consulting firm, with clients including Viacom, ABC, ESPN, The Weather Channel, and CBS. Currently she is a mediator and board member with Northern Community Mediation and serves as board president of Hospice of Northwest Michigan. She has also worked on behalf of the Charlevoix Public Library and Charlevoix County Commission on Aging.

Saltonstall believes that voters in Michigan’s First District will support a candidate who will work for them on the important issues of job creation, heath care, education, infrastructure maintenance and improvements, and protecting the Great Lakes.

Since launching her campaign, she has secured the Endorsement of NOW, MI List and Blue America. NOW President Terry O’Neill intends to mobilize its chapters in support of Saltonstall, stating that defeating incumbent Congressman Bart Stupak is one of her “highest priorities”.

Learn more on Saltonstall's Web site.

This is the first in a continuing series of informational articles about Michigan women who are running for office. Michigan Women's Forum does not endorse any political cause or candidate.