Lena Epstein

Lena Epstein is a businesswoman from Detroit, Michigan, who will run for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

She is a co-owner of her family-owned business, Vesco Oil Corp. The Southfield, Detroit-based firm is a distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants and services to auto dealerships, repair shops, and industrial plants.

Early life and education

Epstein was born on 24 May 1981, in Detroit, to Donald Epstein, and Marjory Epstein. She grew up in Detroit area and attended Detroit Country Day School. In the years 1999 to 2003, she attended Harvard University and earned a B.A. degree in Economics (Cum Laude). In 2008, she received an MBA degree from Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Career

Epstein joined her family business, Vesco Oil Corp., in 2003, and has been working there ever since. In an interview with Crain's, she said she developed a marketing department that mitigated Vesco's sales losses. Her family business has more than 200 employees and generates over $175 million in annual revenue. Lena's sister, Lilly Epstein, also works at their family business. 

In 2010, she was featured in Crain's "20 in their 20s" list.

Social work and politics

Epstein is an active community leader supporting various social and civic initiatives. She serves on the boards of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Historical Society and the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan.

Epstein is involved in local and national politics. Although she comes from a family of liberals and independents and attended very liberal Harvard University, she chose to be a conservative. 

Her political career began in 2011 when she began working with local Republicans in Detroit. In 2012, she became chair of Oakland County Lincoln Dinner, a Republican party's fundraiser. The same year, she was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Michigan Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. 

For the 2016 election, she endorsed Donald Trump and co-chaired his Presidential Campaign in Michigan.  

On May 22nd, 2017, she announced candidacy for the United States Senate in 2018, saying, "I believe in America's future and promise to fight for you as the next United States Senator from Michigan." She will fight the current Democrat senator, Debbie Stabenow, as she feels Stabenow has let down the people of Michigan for almost two decades; Stabenow was first elected in 2000.

Since she announced her bid for the Senate, Epstein was able to raise over $100,000, as reported by the Daily Caller. 

Theresa Mungioli, Oakland County Republican Party Chairwoman, has endorsed Epstein and believes she has the experience needed to make the U.S. Senate. While Vicki Barnett, the Oakland County Democratic Party Chairwoman, said Epstein's business credentials are not a substitute for political experience and true compassion.

Lena Epstein's Senate bid statement from her website lenaforsenate.com:

Politicians have failed us, and Michigan citizens are looking for another way.
Michigan spoke loud and clear in the last election — we want an outsider with business leadership skills who can inspire the people of Michigan with a bright vision for the future.
I will speak for those who have not been spoken for. I will represent those who know, deep down, that their government has failed them and their families.
I will take the fight directly to Debbie Stabenow because she has failed the people of Michigan after almost two decades in Washington with no major accomplishments. Twenty years of nothing is more than enough. Michigan deserves better.

Quotes

I am running for United States Senate because I want to inspire the people of Michigan behind a positive vision for the future of our state and our country. Career politicians have failed us and Michigan citizens are looking for another way. 

I was proud to serve as Trump co-chairman in Michigan and helped turn the state red for the first time in almost 30 years.

We can, we will, and we must put America first by rebuilding American manufacturing industries, re-negotiating unfair trade deals, and building safer borders.

I think it is very fashionable to be a Democrat, and to vote left, but I know many Jewish-Americans also vote right.

I want to be a part of the answers, not the problems. 

This election demonstrated that there was a deep divide in our country. That's very concerning to me.

I will speak for those who have not been spoken for. I will represent those who know, deep down, that their government has failed them and their families.