A proud Michigander, Bridget learned Midwestern values from her family: the value of hard work, the importance of doing the right thing, and the honor of public service. After nearly 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Bridget resigned as our Ambassador to Ukraine because she opposed the Trump Administration’s policy of pressuring Ukraine while giving Russia a free pass.

At her core, Bridget believes our nation must remain a beacon of freedom. She believes that the chaos and corruption coming out of Washington is costing Michiganders by raising the cost of living, cutting critical services, and threatening our very democracy. Bridget has dedicated her life to public service and has spent decades making the hard calls and fighting for what is right.

Raised by a single mom, Bridget spent her formative years on the shores of Lake Michigan and, to make ends meet, living with her grandparents in Grand Rapids. Six generations ago, Bridget’s family came to Eaton County in 1860, where her family lived and worked. Her beloved grandfather met her grandmother at an ice cream shop in Lansing. Bridget’s mother was born in Lansing, and became the first college graduate in her family — a proud graduate of Michigan State University.

A daughter of a teacher and a lawyer, Bridget is a strong believer in the power of education. She worked her way through college with the help of grants and scholarships, earning a Bachelor’s degree at Kenyon College and two Master’s degrees at the London School of Economics.

Inspired to public service by her family, Bridget became a diplomat and served the American people under fivePresidents. She attained the rank of Career Minister, a three-star general equivalent.

As a national security expert, Bridget’s focus was on deepening our partnership with Europe to bolster our own security and prosperity. She began her career helping end the Balkan wars and supporting democracy and free markets in Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Bridget was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to serve as Ambassador to Slovakia, and again to Ukraine.

Braving thousands of missiles and drones for nearly three years in wartime Ukraine, Bridget led the American Embassy in Kyiv to enable Ukraine to repel Russia’s invasion.

Bridget believes that the only way to secure U.S. interests is to stand up for our friends and never, ever appease those who would do us harm.

Michigan has always been front of mind in Bridget’s service to our country, and she believes it is time to moderate the extremism in Washington — and put Michigan families first.

Bridget is married to Nicholas Higgins, a Foreign Service officer of twenty-five years with service in Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They live in Lansing, and are the proud parents of two sons.