As a newcomer to politics, I knew in my bones that we as a country were better than what we see coming out of Washington. And we are.

You know, because of my military background, I talk to voters who for the first two minutes think I’m a Republican."

Michigan has always been a swing state, so we understand that the goal is to have two political parties, debating the issues with empathy and respect.

My job is to represent my district. That’s who I’m responsible to and for.

It's important for moms to have alone time. However, that's the first thing that goes on a busy day. Fortunately for me, because of my job, I have to find the time to do it. At least that's the way my mind sees it. I have to exercise to be able to fit the clothes and book the jobs.

Many run primarily for the exercise, but others run to condition themselves for well-publicized races of various distances.

I enjoy fitness. I've always enjoyed trying to stay healthy. I've enjoyed all my gym work; obviously there's a cross-over with that going into cricket. But you also talk of finding an escape and I think in the last year or so, running has provided me with that.

When I first came out about my breast cancer, I didn't want to talk about it, but I had to, because young women were getting it, and people weren't understanding that.