politics and governance | January 01, 2026

Debbie Stabenow Children: Michelle Stabenow, Todd Stabenow

Deborah Ann Stabenow is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Michigan, a seat she has held since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she became the state’s first female U.S. senator after defeating Republican incumbent Spencer Abraham in the 2000 election.

Debbie Stabenow Children: Michelle Stabenow, Todd Stabenow

Stabenow was first married to Dennis Stabenow. The couple had two children and divorced in 1990.

In 2003, Stabenow married Tom Athans, co-founder of Democracy Radio and former executive vice president of Air America. She has a stepdaughter Gina from this marriage. They divorced in 2010.

A musician at heart, Senator Stabenow sings and plays both the piano and the guitar. She is a United Methodist and grew up performing with her family in the church and in the community. Her home is in Lansing. She has two grown children, Todd and Michelle; a daughter-in-law, Sara; a son-in-law, Scott; and five beautiful grandchildren.