DETROIT — Former Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate today.
In the May 12 news release announcement, Tate emphasized a campaign focused on service, accountability, and building a stronger foundation for future generations of Michiganders.
Tate, whose parents were both public servants, draws inspiration from their dedication to community service. His mother was a Detroit public school teacher, and his father, a Detroit firefighter, died in the line of duty when Tate was just three months old.
“Their lives taught me what service looks like,” Tate said. “It’s showing up, putting others first and doing the work—whether anyone’s watching or not.”
Tate’s background includes a diverse array of leadership roles and accomplishments. He captained the Michigan State University football team, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, and played two seasons in the NFL before joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
During his military service, he completed two combat tours in Afghanistan, first as a platoon commander and later as a company executive officer.
After returning from military service, Tate pursued higher education, earning dual master’s degrees from the University of Michigan. He entered politics in 2018, running for state representative and eventually becoming the first Black speaker of the Michigan House in 2023.
Despite holding a slim one-vote majority, Tate played a role in passing significant legislation in Michigan.
His efforts include repealing the state’s abortion ban and Right-to-Work law, enacting universal background checks and red flag laws, expanding the Working Families Tax Credit, and providing free school meals to all Michigan students.
Tate’s campaign video released on social media outlined his vision for Michigan and his commitment to standing up to Donald Trump and the Republicans.
He emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for all Michiganders and criticized Washington for prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of working families.