Meet Senator Cavanagh.
Cavanagh is a self-motivated, progressive Democrat with a natural flair for community activism, building relationships & a track record of bringing about positive change.
With over 20 years of civic engagement and public servant experience, she has built strong relationships with leaders, elected officials, and residents throughout by serving in the Michigan House of Representative and Senate. Senator Cavanagh was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 serving the communities of Redford Township and Northwest Detroit, and to the Senate in 2022, where she was able to be a champion for small businesses, frontliners, and our most vulnerable populations.
Prior to serving, Senator Cavanagh graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, where her studies focused on the evolutionary analysis of human behavior from socio-economic and political approaches. While completing her undergraduate studies, Cavanagh’s work focused on the historical social and political inequalities, as well as building sustainable communities and infrastructure. From serving as an AmeriCorps, stationed in Detroit Public Schools fighting the school-to-prison pipeline, working as a direct-care worker for the behavioral and intellectually disabled, to a Director for a company dedicated to preserving homeownership and community revitalization.
The Senator follows a lineage of public service from her Father, Phil Cavanagh, formerly serving as State Representative and Wayne County Commissioner and her Mother, Lily Cavanagh, currently serving as the Treasurer of Redford Township. In addition to her parents, Senator Mary Cavanagh’s beliefs and core values stem from her grandfather, Jerome Cavanagh, former Mayor of Detroit in the 1960s and one of the first political figures to publicly challenge racial inequities, as well as her great-grandfather, Sylvester Cavanagh, boilermaker and cofounder of the UAW. Her dedication to public activism and service is the direct result of the values, passion, and drive instilled by her devoted family and life-long connection to her community.
Serving in the minority, Mary Cavanagh understood that leadership roles would be key in developing relationships and pushing legislation across the aisle in both the House and the Senate. Now, in the Senate Democratic Majority, she serves as the chair of the Committee on FInance, Insurance and Consumer Protection and Appropriations Subcommittees for the Departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and Insurance and Financial Services. In addition Cavanagh currently serves as Deputy Majority Whip, Chair of the Latino Caucus, and an active member of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Detroit Caucus, Progressive Women’s Caucus,Firearms and Safety, Care, Education, and so many more. Being active in these roles has and will be crucial in effective policy making not only for our district but for all of Michigan.
“Now more than ever our communities need a champion in Lansing who is not afraid to stand-up and take action while producing effective leadership. From women’s rights, our right to vote, much-need infrastructure reform, to more support for our veterans, seniors, and frontline workers. I know that we can and must do more to deliver real results for our families and our future!”
-SENATOR MARY CAVANAGH