Sue Shink is a community advocate, public servant, and mother who has dedicated her adult life to building healthier, more resilient communities.

Hailing from a proud union family, Sue learned the importance of community, service above self, and treating others with respect growing up in Southeastern Michigan. Her father, a civil engineer who grew up in poverty, and her mother, a longtime teacher, balanced the demands of raising four kids and worked hard to build a middle-class life for their bustling family.  Sue started babysitting and lifeguarding in high school, working hard both in and out of the classroom to pitch in any way she could at home.  Her family didn’t have much, but found ways to have fun and enjoy all of Michigan’s greatest assets – from weekend hikes on wooded trails to swimming and fishing on our crystal clear lakes.

Thanks to the encouragement of supportive teachers, need-based scholarships, and financial aid, Sue followed her dreams to earn her bachelor's, master’s, and law degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  It was there that Sue met her husband, Tom, who was a law student at Wayne State University at the time.

Driven to improve lives and make a tangible difference in her community, Sue pursued a career in advocacy and public service.  From successfully leading land conservation efforts against big developers, to leading the charge against harmful pollutants in her neighborhood, to providing legal services to our community’s most vulnerable residents, Sue effectively gives voice to concerns and brings people together to solve problems. 

Active in the community for nearly two decades, Sue currently serves as Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and has served as a Northfield Township Trustee, chair of the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee (ALPAC), on the Huron River Watershed Council, and on the Washtenaw County Food Policy Council.

Since 2019, Sue has served on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and gotten results to move the community forward, including championing the expansion of high-speed broadband to every resident to close the digital divide and expanding physical and mental health services for community members regardless of zip code. 

Recognized for her leadership in the region, Sue serves on Ann Arbor SPARK, SEMCOG, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Michigan Works! Southeast Consortium, the Washtenaw County Employees Retirement Commission, the Brownfields Authority, the Environmental Council, the Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee,  and Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD).

Sue and her husband, Tom, are proud to have raised their three daughters alongside several llamas, horses, goats, sheep, ducks, and dogs on their small Northfield Township farm where they produced most of their meat, milk and eggs.  Their family spent many hours at 4-H and sports and now enjoys biking the community’s beautiful trails in their free time. 

Today, Sue is running for State Senate in the new 14th District to help every Michigan family, worker, professional, senior, small business, and child get a fair shot to get ahead.  She believes that government’s role is to serve the people with skill, honesty and integrity.  From economic opportunity to public education to mental health to water quality to sustainable development, Sue has the drive, experience, and forward-focused vision needed to bridge the divides between neighbors, build pathways to opportunity, and be a relentless, solutions-oriented voice for the people of our communities.