Dayna Polehanki is a Democratic state senator representing Michigan Senate District 5 , serving since 2019 and currently in her second term. Born on December 3, 1969, in Flint, she resides in Livonia with her husband, Joseph James Walkup , a manager at Ford Motor Company. A former high school teacher for nearly 20 years at New Haven Community Schools , she is a two-time "Teacher of the Year" award winner and a champion for public education. Notable achievements include serving as Majority Caucus Chairwoman for the Michigan Senate Democrats, Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, and 2025 Appointed Legislative Commissioner to the Education Commission of the States; she also received the 2025 Humane Society of Huron Valley Legislator of the Year and 2019 Child’s Hope “Child Advocate of the Year” awards. Her legislative priorities include improving teacher attraction and retention, securing record funding for students, expanding unemployment benefits, and creating a behavioral health jail diversion program.

Education and Political Experience

Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University ; English major and 6-12 Michigan Professional Educator Certification from Alma College ; Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College ; K-12 Michigan School Administrator Certification from Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals .

Political Experience: Elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018, she has served four sessions as a Democrat. Key positions include Majority Caucus Chairperson, Chair of the Education Committee, Vice Chair of Regulatory Affairs, and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on PreK-12. Prior employment includes Manager of Features Casting at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles . Community involvement encompasses the American Association of University Women , Michigan Education Association, Macomb AAREN, Macomb Intermediate School District Literacy Leaders, and Casting Society of America.