Lydia Christensen, the Libertarian Party of Michigan's nominee for U.S. Senate, is campaigning under the banner "Unchaining Michigan" for the 2026 general election.
Christensen, who lives in Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula, said in a Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire that she is running as "an independent voice grounded in constitutional liberty, tribal sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and real economic security for Michigan's working families."
Christensen is among the candidates seeking the open seat held by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, who is not seeking reelection.
She said her top Senate priority would be protecting digital privacy and civil liberties through a comprehensive Digital Bill of Rights. Christensen said in her Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire that she takes no corporate PAC money.
Candidate information
- Party: Libertarian
- Race: U.S. Senate, Michigan (Nov. 3, 2026, general election)
- Residence: Ironwood, Michigan
- Family background: Christensen said she was raised in foster care, has family roots in Ironwood and has Kiowa and Sioux Native American heritage.
- Education: Christensen told Surround Sound News she has the "equivalent of two college degrees," with studies in computer science at UW Oshkosh and computer programming at Fox Valley Technical College.
- Campaign website: lydialynnchristensen.com
Experience and public service
Christensen listed her work history as CEO of Iron Fortress LLC, software engineer at UW Systems, and factory machine operator at Bemis. She has not held elected or appointed office.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Christensen's questionnaire responses and Libertarian Party candidate page.
Digital privacy and civil liberties
Christensen called digital privacy her single most important issue. Her platform would establish personal data as private property, ban federal use of facial recognition for mass surveillance and impose strict penalties for collecting or selling personal information without consent. She said she would vote against reauthorizing FISA Section 702 without a warrant requirement and would introduce legislation banning internet service providers from throttling or creating paid prioritization lanes.
Economy and cost of living
Her economic plan centers on eliminating federal income tax on earnings under $150,000, raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour and repealing tariffs she described as regressive. On housing, Christensen supports a rapid rehousing program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She also called for repealing $35 billion in oil and gas tax subsidies and streamlining renewable energy permitting.
Health care
Christensen supports what she described in her Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire as an “opt-in Medicaid for All system” that would cover medically necessary care with “zero deductibles and no surprise bills.” She said workers could keep employer-sponsored insurance or choose the public option, with premiums capped based on income.
Christensen also said Congress should “negotiate drug prices directly,” which she estimated would save $113 billion annually, reduce private-insurer administrative costs and address insurance denials. She also called for repealing Certificate of Need laws to increase provider competition and raising reimbursement rates to address doctor shortages, particularly in rural areas such as the Upper Peninsula.
Immigration
Her immigration platform calls for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing what she described as systemic human rights violations, and replacing it with a new enforcement system. Christensen supports a permanent pathway to citizenship for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. She would also seek to end the 100-mile border zone that gives federal immigration authorities broader search authority near U.S. borders.
Federal spending and debt
To reduce the national debt, Christensen proposed cutting taxes for earners under $150,000, ending $35 billion in annual fossil fuel subsidies and closing corporate tax loopholes including offshore profit breaks and accelerated depreciation.
Candidate responses have been condensed for clarity. Positions reflect the candidate's own statements from her questionnaire and campaign website.
