Sue Shink is a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate representing the 14th District, which includes parts of Jackson and Washtenaw Counties such as Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Township, Chelsea, Dexter, and Jackson City. Elected in 2022, she defeated Republican Tim Golding with 56% of the vote in the most expensive race in Washtenaw County that year. A community advocate, public servant, and mother from a union family, Shink was born on October 5, 1967, in Dearborn, and is married to Tom Hatch with three children: Emily, Naomi, and Mary Margaret. She operates North Wind Farm, raising sustainable livestock and selling value-added products. Notable achievements include chairing the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Appropriations Corrections and Judiciary Subcommittee; she is vice chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, and serves on committees including Appropriations, Energy and Environment, Housing and Human Services, and Local Government.

Education and Political Experience

Shink earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees from the University of Michigan. Her political career began as a Northfield Township Trustee , followed by election to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in 2018 , where she served as Chair. She has held leadership roles such as chair of the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee , member of the Huron River Watershed Council, Washtenaw County Food Policy Council, Ann Arbor SPARK, SEMCOG, and Michigan Works! Southeast Consortium, among others focused on environment, agriculture, and economic development.