Senator Cherry has served her community with distinction for over thirty years. The Oakland University graduate got her start in politics as a teenager as a member of a non-partisan student group. Since that time she has been active in politics as a volunteer, manager of campaigns, as a candidate, and as an elected official.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Development with a concentration in Manpower in 1976, she worked with the Valley Area Agency on Aging managing grants and working to find funding for various agency services.

In 1988 Deborah was elected to the Genesee County Commission, where she represented the 3rd District for six years and served three years as Commission Chair. During this time she earned her Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Elected to the Senate in 2002 and 2006, she is a member of the Senate Appropriations committee, serving as Minority Vice Chair on the sub-committees for Community Health and Retirement.  She is also a member of the sub-committee on Capital Outlay.  Prior to being elected to the Senate, Deborah served with distinction for six years in the Michigan House of Representatives, where she also served as a member of the Appropriations Committee.   Deborah is the sponsor of the Michigan Promise Grant,  which entitles every Michigan student to be eligible for a $4,000 higher education scholarship upon graduation. 

In addition, Deborah serves as Co-Chair of the Children’s Caucus, which focuses on early childhood education, and also as Co-Chair of the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, which is dedicated to promoting the traditional and historical rights of Michigan citizens to hunt, fish, and engage in other outdoor recreation. 

In touch with her community, she also serves on numerous boards, including Chairman of the Greater Flint Health Coalition and a member of the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the Michigan Prospect and the IMA Board, a group that provides educational and recreational opportunities for children and youth.   In addition, she is an honorary member of the Genesee County Fair Board.

Deborah’s hard work and dedication is recognized at the highest levels of state government. She is a gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Medicaid Long Term Care Task Force, created to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of long term care, the White House Conference on Aging, which is formed every ten years and is responsible for setting the tone for the states senior issues and an appointee to the Michigan Task Force on Cervical Cancer Awareness, which she served as Chairperson.