Shelby Campbell
Shelby Campbell (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 13th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Campbell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Shelby Campbell was born in Rockford, Illinois. She graduated from Hononegah High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 2023. Her career experience includes working as an advocate. She previously served as co-chair of the Education Committee at UAW Local 140. [1]
Elections
2026
See also: Michigan's 13th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Michigan District 13
Incumbent Shri Thanedar, Shelby Campbell, Nazmul Hassan, Donavan McKinney, and Andrew Lorenz are running in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 13 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Shri Thanedar (D) | |
 | Shelby Campbell (D)  | |
| Nazmul Hassan (D) | ||
 | Donavan McKinney (D) | |
| Andrew Lorenz (R) | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Adam Hollier (D)
Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Shelby Campbell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Campbell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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In addition to my work in the auto industry, I’ve spent years working in the service sector as a server and bartender. I’m also an advocate for workers' rights, especially for those in industries that are often overlooked or underrepresented.
I grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and relocated to Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since moving here, I’ve found stability and a strong sense of purpose, both as a mother to my two young boys—whom I proudly breastfed—and as an engaged community member.- 1. Youth, Families & Community: We must prioritize youth, education reform, and family accountability. Too many parents aren't taking responsibility, and it shows in future generations. I want to build stronger communities by making public transportation free, expanding bike access, and protecting neighborhoods from corporate buyouts. The "American Dream" has been sold as success, but it’s just capitalism. We need self-sufficient, people-centered communities that prioritize people over profit.
- 2. Prison Reform & Mental Health: Our justice system needs real reform. Many people end up in prison due to untreated mental health issues and addiction. We need accountability—not just for individuals, but also for systems designed to divide and harm us. The systems after the Civil Rights Act were intentionally built to keep marginalized people down. We must end this cycle, push for federal marijuana legalization, and focus on healing, not punishment.
- 3. Peace, Equity & Anti-Capitalism: The systems we live under benefit the elite while keeping working people struggling. We are taught to fight each other instead of fighting oppression. I want to empower people to break out of capitalism’s grip and fight for peace, not war. We deserve a society where everyone has equal opportunities, not just those with wealth or power. Once you see how the system works, you can’t unsee it—and I want to help others open their eyes.
I fight for accessible and affordable public transportation, protections against corporate land grabs, and policies that empower working-class people—not the wealthy elite.
I also advocate for mental health care, addiction support, and ending the cycles of incarceration that target marginalized communities. We need systems that heal, not harm.
One of my professors—who was also a tired parent like me—cried during class after the Oxford school shooting. He cared deeply about people, and the way he explained political theory helped me see why our society feels stuck. We’ve allowed bad people to stay in power too long, and it shows. Books like Persepolis, We Have Always Been Here, and All Boys Aren’t Blue deeply shaped me. They opened my eyes to injustice and resilience. Another professor, who taught philosophy of human rights, helped me understand how society often takes better care of the elderly than the youth—and how, historically, communities had to decide how to distribute resources when someone could no longer contribute. That really shifted my perspective on fairness and who gets prioritized in society. The more you listen to real stories, the more you understand why things need to change. You can’t stay ignorant when you face the truth about others’ lives.
I’m disgusted that elected officials are allowed to buy stock while in office. You can’t serve the people when you’re profiting off corporate interests. And in America, corporations are treated like people—something I believe needs to change immediately.
I want people to feel inspired by my campaign and know they can create change, no matter what they’ve been through. I’ve survived a lot, and I’m here to prove that you don’t have to be rich or well-connected to make a difference.
I’m deeply inspired by women in politics and culture who speak up and fight back—leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett, Rashida Tlaib, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. I also find strength in women from music like Megan Thee Stallion—because she has been through so much, stood strong, and still remains the baddest—she’s gotten me through so much personally. And Cardi B, because I feel her on being a mom, being judged, going through betrayal, and still standing tall when people try to tear her down. People like them remind me that most couldn’t even handle a mile in our shoes.
I don’t have “formal” political experience, but I think real political experience comes from living in the community you’re serving. How can someone who’s never worked a factory job tell me what’s safe? I brought that up in my law school property class when people joked about OSHA violations at 80 degrees on the line—people pass out in those conditions. That’s not a joke. Real political experience is knowing what it feels like to live it.
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Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 8, 2025
