Candidate Comparisons

Aisha Farooqi

1. Make childcare affordable and accessible – supports
   1. Her campaign website says “In order to promote an equitable and thriving society, I support Gov. Whitmer’s recent initiative to provide pre-K programs for all, and will fight as your representative for quality, affordable childcare.”
2. Guarantee paid family and medical leave – supports
   1. Farooqi was endorsed by MIAFLCIO, a union organization whose 2024 platform says “To create a fair economy for working families, we can raise the minimum wage to at least $15 for all working people, end subminimum wage, guarantee earned sick leave so working people can care for loved ones when they get sick, and ensure equal pay for equal work for women”

Thomas Kuhn

1. Make childcare affordable and accessible – oppose
   1. In a statement, Kuhn expressed opposition to funding to initiatives when he said “The governor fully expects people to keep paying higher taxes in order to fund new government programs.”
2. Guarantee paid family and medical leave – leans oppose
   1. Kuhn cosponsored legislation that would make it harder for union members to strike. The ability for unions to strike has been tied to better paid leave policies.

Aisha Farooqi

1. Guarantee right to abortion
   1. Her campaign website says “I will work to ensure that women in Michigan are able to exercise their full legal and constitutional rights as decided by our voters. I will also work to ensure that no one loses access to contraception or IVF.”
2. Expand and protect access to birth control
   1. Her campaign website says “I will work to ensure that women in Michigan are able to exercise their full legal and constitutional rights as decided by our voters. I will also work to ensure that no one loses access to contraception or IVF.”

Thomas Kuhn

1. Guarantee right to abortion – leans oppose
   1. He voted to repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, but his statement highlighted it was due to the change to the state constitution rather than his personal views.
      1. His statement said “I, and all legislators, are sworn to uphold the Michigan Constitution. Because of this oath, I voted to repeal laws that are now clearly unconstitutional, notwithstanding my personal belief on abortion or any other issue.”
   2. In reference to abortion, the Republican Platform says “We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights.”
2. Expand and protect access to birth control – unclear

Aisha Farooqi

1. Oppose book and curriculum bans – supports
   1. Farooqi is endorsed by the Michigan chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, which has engaged in initiatives to combat book bans 
   2. She has also been endorsed by the Michigan Education Association, which has spoken out about book bans.
2. Support inclusion of LGBTQI+ students – leans support
   1. Farooqi has been endorsed by Equality Michigan, whose Executive Director has spoken out about state attempts to discredit trans student athletes in sports.

Thomas Kuhn

1. Oppose book and curriculum bans – opposes
   1. The Republican Platform also says “Republicans will ensure children are taught fundamentals like Reading, History, Science, and Math, not Leftwing propaganda. We will defund schools that engage in inappropriate political indoctrination of our children using Federal Taxpayer Dollars.”
   2. The Republican Platform says they will “CUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPROPRIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN”
2. Support inclusion of LGBTQI+ students – opposes
   1. Kuhn cosponsored a bill that would have discredited trans student athletes.
   2. He released a statement saying “We need to allow our girls’ and women’s sports associations the right to restrict their sports organizations to females if they so choose.”

Aisha Farooqi

1. Oppose policies that restrict access to the ballot box, like voter ID laws – supports
   1. Her campaign website says “Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has done an excellent job of promoting policies that make it easy to vote and hard to cheat.”
2. Support expanded voting access by increasing the number of polling locations, allowing mail-in and absentee voting, and increasing early voting – supports
   1. Her campaign website says “With the gains we have made in recent years (early voting, expanded absentee voting, etc.), more people than ever are participating in the political process and making their voices heard. There is no going backward from here, and I will strongly support the policies that keep our democracy alive, open to all, and conducted with integrity.”

Thomas Kuhn

1. The Republican Accountability Project included Kuhn in their list of “threats to democracy in the Michigan legislature,” based on the following criteria:
   1. Making public statements that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election
   2. Attending a “Stop the Steal” rally
   3. Signing onto an official letter or lawsuit that sowed distrust about the 2020 election
   4. Attending the pro-Trump rally at the Capitol or participating in the attack on the Capitol on January 6

1. Oppose policies that restrict access to the ballot box, like voter ID laws – oppose
   1. The Republican Platform says they would “SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SAME DAY VOTING, VOTER IDENTIFICATION, PAPER BALLOTS, AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP”
      1. It also says “We will implement measures to secure our Elections, including Voter ID, highly sophisticated paper ballots, proof of Citizenship, and same day Voting. We will not allow the Democrats to give Voting Rights to illegal Aliens”
2. Support expanded voting access through increasing the number of polling locations, allowing mail in and absentee voting, and increasing early voting – leans oppose
   1. He voted against HB 4569, which expanded the ability for minors to preregister to vote