Barb Anness
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 45
which includes the parts of Oakland County
Barb’s path towards leadership began when her two children entered public school...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 45
which includes the parts of Oakland County
Barb’s path towards leadership began when her two children entered public school at Meadow Brook Elementary in the Rochester Community Schools district. She is the trustee for the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education, a representative on the Board to the Oakland County School Board Association Government Affairs Committee, and a graphic designer and small business owner. She has the experience to represent her community at the State House. A leader in advocating for strong schools, Barb is ready to serve her community.
Priorities:
Advocate for strong public-school education; take measures to ensure that businesses will recover despite the spread of COVID-19; protect the full spectrum of health care needs for all citizens.
Kelly Breen
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 38
which includes the cities of Northville, Novi, South Lyon and Walled Lake
An attorney, a mom, an activist, an educator’s wife, and a Novi City Council member...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 38
which includes the cities of Northville, Novi, South Lyon and Walled Lake
An attorney, a mom, an activist, an educator’s wife, and a Novi City Council member, Kelly Breen has filled many roles in her life. She entered public service out of a deep sense of admiration and pride for her community, and now she is running for State Representative because she believes in Michigan. Kelly is tired of divisive, partisan politics. On the City Council, she worked collaboratively to secure funding for firefighters and advocate for inclusion and respect. As the representative for her district, Kelly is committed to employing that same collaborative spirit — working on both sides of the aisle to bring home results.
Priorities:
Increase access to health care by implementing a statewide public option; make environmental sustainability a priority; implement commonsense gun safety measures.
Mary Chrzanowski
Michigan
Running for: Prosecuting Attorney, Macomb County
which includes Macomb County
Mary was a practicing attorney for five years in Macomb County…
Michigan
Running for: Prosecuting Attorney, Macomb County
which includes Macomb County
Mary was a practicing attorney for five years in Macomb County, Michigan, where she had a general practice specializing in Criminal Defense, Divorce and Juvenile Law. In 1992, she became the first woman elected to be a Macomb County Circuit Court Judge. She was continuously re-elected for 4 consecutive terms, and retired in June of 2016. Retired Judge Mary Chrzanowski continues to reside in Macomb County, Michigan. She is bicycle enthusiast who is at her best when cycling down Haleakala, a volcano in Maui, Hawaii. As a judge, Mary developed a no nonsense approach, and she is ready to bring that experience back to Macomb County as “The People’s Prosecutor.”
Priorities:
Serving Macomb County with a no nonsense approach.
Dave Coulter
Michigan
Running for: County Executive, Oakland County
which includes Oakland County
Dave has always been a good listener and a consensus builder...
Michigan
Running for: County Executive, Oakland County
which includes Oakland County
Dave has always been a good listener and a consensus builder. With these traits, he is a leader who gets things done. As the Mayor of Ferndale, Dave brought progressive initiatives to City Hall. That’s why — when Oakland County was at a crossroads, after the passing of County Executive L Brooks Patterson — county leaders chose Dave as the person who could lead the county forward. And now he is ready to continue working for Oakland as the County Executive.
Priorities:
Preserving the great Oakland County economy; reinforcing diversity, equity and fairness; leveraging the community’s strengths to address its challenges; making sure opportunity exists in all parts of the county.
Gretchen Driskell
Michigan
Running for: United States Congress, District 7
which includes Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe Counties and parts of Washtenaw County
As the granddaughter and daughter of Navy Veterans, Gretchen grew up knowing she had an obligation to give back to her community...
Michigan
Running for: United States Congress, District 7
which includes Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe Counties and parts of Washtenaw County
As the granddaughter and daughter of Navy Veterans, Gretchen grew up knowing she had an obligation to give back to her community. While balancing being a mother of 3 and working as a commercial real estate agent, her commitment to help others never wavered — so she served on Saline, Michigan’s City Council for 6 years before becoming the first female mayor of Saline. After 14 years of working for her community and 14 balanced budgets, Gretchen became the state representative for Washtenaw County. And now, she hopes to do even more good for her community by serving in Congress.
Priorities:
Provide universally accessible and affordable health care, work to increase transparency in government, strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
Jim Haadsma
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 62
which includes Springfield, Battle Creek, Albion, Bedford, Pennfield, Convis, Lee, Clarence and Sheridan
As a father of four and a son of foreign missionaries, Jim Haadsma recognizes the need to give back to his community...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 62
which includes Springfield, Battle Creek, Albion, Bedford, Pennfield, Convis, Lee, Clarence and Sheridan
As a father of four and a son of foreign missionaries, Jim Haadsma recognizes the need to give back to his community. In 1994, Jim opened the McCroskey satellite law office in Battle Creek. For years, he specialized in labor relations and workers’ compensation law. More recently, he has applied that experience to help his community. As the State Representative for Michigan’s 62nd District, Jim is running for re-election to ensure that Michiganders are recognized for the dignity of their work and that everyone has access to the education and training they need to succeed.
Priorities:
Help workers receive fair compensation, provide education for all ages, improve roads and bridges, ensure opportunity for all.
Bridget Mary McCormack
Michigan
Running for: Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court
Bridget Mary McCormack has always worked to help the underrepresented...
Michigan
Running for: Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court
Bridget Mary McCormack has always worked to help the underrepresented. As a professor and associate dean at the University of Michigan’s law school, Bridget launched clinical programs so that law students could help Michiganders who could not afford a lawyer. Bridget now lives with her husband in Ann Arbor, where they raised their four adult children who attended Ann Arbor public schools.
Priorities:
Ensure everyone has access to the justice system, employ jail and pretrial reforms based on evidence and values, reduce recidivism through problem-solving courts, treat people with dignity in courthouses.
Brian Elder
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 96
which includes parts of Bay County
Brian Elder was born and raised in Mid-Michigan...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 96
which includes parts of Bay County
Brian Elder was born and raised in Mid-Michigan. He has practiced law there since 1998, representing working families and small businesses in the community. Brian was the first in his family to graduate from college. He attended Wayne State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Betta Kappa with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Brian met his wife in 1995, and now they are the proud parents of three children. In 2003, Brian was elected as Bay County’s 7th District County Commissioner, which he served as for eight years. He is running for re-election to his seat as Representative to continue serving his community.
Priorities:
Fair car insurance, a Health Care Bill of Rights, affordable prescription drugs.
Vincent Gregory
Michigan
Running for: Sheriff, Oakland County
which includes Oakland County
Vincent Gregory received his education from Dundee Public Schools...
Michigan
Running for: Sheriff, Oakland County
which includes Oakland County
Vincent Gregory received his education from Dundee Public Schools, before attending Washtenaw Community College and later serving in the military. In 1973, he was hired by the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, and after ten years, Vincent was elected and served as Vice President of the Wayne County Sheriff's Local 502 SEIU, AFL-CIO. In 1993, he was elected and served as president, remaining in that position for the next seven years. Vincent went on to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives, winning his first election with the highest number of votes in the state, and later he won a seat the Michigan State Senate. Now, Vincent seeks to take his lifelong commitment to service to the County Sheriff’s office.
Priorities:
Be a sheriff for all the people.
Jon Hoadley
Michigan
Running for: United States Congress, District 6
which includes Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties
For the past 5 years, Jon Hoadley has served as the state representative from Michigan’s 60th House District...
Michigan
Running for: United States Congress, District 6
which includes Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties
For the past 5 years, Jon Hoadley has served as the state representative from Michigan’s 60th House District. He knows that the role of an elected representative is to listen to the needs of the community. In the State House, Jon has fought to invest in things that help the people he serves, like health care, good schools, infrastructure and clean water. Now, he is ready to bring that fight to Congress.
Priorities:
Ensuring that everyone has access to affordable health care, protecting the environment and passing a Green New Deal, fighting political corruption.
Beth McGill-Rizer
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 101
which includes the parts of Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason Counties
Born and raised in Michigan, Beth McGill-Rizer grew up in Mason and graduated from Mason High School...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 101
which includes the parts of Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason Counties
Born and raised in Michigan, Beth McGill-Rizer grew up in Mason and graduated from Mason High School. She went on to Lansing Community College before attending Michigan State University for her bachelor’s. And now, Beth sits on the Board of Directors for PFLAG Manistee and serves on the Executive Committee of the Mason County Democratic Party. She has nearly two decades of experience working in the medical field, serving as a certified pharmacy technician, publishing articles, and developing manuals to train fellow staff members. Beth and her husband Max have three children and three grandchildren (not including their two puppies!).
Priorities:
Create union jobs with benefits, raise the minimum wage to a living wage, and expand family and medical leave; outside-the-box solutions to rural health care; increase education funding; transition to renewable, clean energy.
Padma Kuppa
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 41
which includes the cities of Troy and Clawson
Padma Kuppa is a parent, a working professional, and a community leader...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 41
which includes the cities of Troy and Clawson
Padma Kuppa is a parent, a working professional, and a community leader. With the skills she has learned from those roles, Padma has been an effective legislator in her district during her first term in office. In addition to her role as assistant Democratic Whip, Padma has served on the Energy and the Local Government and Municipal Finance committees. Additionally, she is a co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Equal Pay Task Force. Padma moved to the 41st district with her husband and two children over 20 years ago, and she wants to ensure that others can always find what attracted her family to the district.
Priorities:
High-quality public education; affordable health care, without denial for pre-existing conditions; services for senior citizens; women’s empowerment by supporting equal pay and women in STEM.
Christine Morse
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 61
which includes Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft, Texas, Oshtemo and Portage
As the spouse of a Navy Veteran, a mother, a former attorney, and a cancer survivor, Christine has spent her life fighting tough challenges...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 61
which includes Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft, Texas, Oshtemo and Portage
As the spouse of a Navy Veteran, a mother, a former attorney, and a cancer survivor, Christine has spent her life fighting tough challenges. She understands that it’s a problem that Michigan ranks 50th in reading growth, that Michigan created 55% fewer jobs in 2019 than the national average, and that Michigan made national news over its failure to protect its water supply. But Christine is a proven fighter. And she is ready to fight those challenges for her community.
Priorities:
Better education, paving the way for future job growth, clean water, equality for everyone, protecting health coverage.
Gary Peters
Michigan
Running for: United States Senate, State-wide
As the son of a WWII Veteran and a Nurse’s aid, Gary Peters had the values of determination, fairness and integrity instilled in him...
Michigan
Running for: United States Senate, State-wide
As the son of a WWII Veteran and a Nurse’s aid, Gary Peters has the values of determination, fairness and integrity instilled in him. For more than 20 years, Gary was a successful businessman. Working as a Financial Advisor, he helped families plan for retirement and save money for their children to attend college. In 2015, Gary brought these experiences, along with his 6 years of work as a United States Representative, to the Senate floor. There, he has been working on the Armed Services Committee; Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and the Joint Economic Committee. He is running to continue his work for the people of Michigan.
Priorities:
Strengthening our middle class, protecting affordable health care, preparing our kids for the jobs of tomorrow, helping small businesses grow.
Dan O'Neil
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 104
which includes Grand Traverse County
Dan O’Neil has lived in Traverse City for his entire life...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 104
which includes Grand Traverse County
Dan O’Neil has lived in Traverse City for his entire life. As a partner at the Thompson and O’Neil Law Firm and as a father of three, Dan witnessed the decline of Michigan’s public schools, infrastructure, and environment. And he knows that exposing the corrupt influence of money in politics and advocating for campaign finance reforms are the solutions necessary to deal with those problems. From his experience in advocacy, to his knowledge of Michigan’s 104th District’s community, Dan is prepared to get to work as a state representative. While he never intended to run for office, Dan knows that now is not the time to sit on the sidelines.
Priorities:
Improving the education system, providing access to health care for all, ending environmental destruction, adding jobs, and strengthening the economy.
Chokwe Pitchford
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 79
which includes the cities of Benton Harbor, Bridgman, Coloma, St. Joseph and Watervliet
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chokwe’s story is all too common where he is from...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 79
which includes the cities of Benton Harbor, Bridgman, Coloma, St. Joseph and Watervliet
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chokwe’s story is all too common where he is from. As a young child, Chokwe’s family struggled to make ends meet, and he witnessed the injustices of the criminal justice system through his family. When his parents were arrested for possession with intent to distribute during the crack cocaine epidemic, Chokwe stayed with his grandparents while his parents’ situation unraveled. But he was not alone: the epidemic disproportionately impacted Black communities all across the United States. His parents sought the American Dream, but Chokwe understands that it is largely unattainable for too many Americans. As the representative from the 79th district, Chokwe hopes to unify his community and do the necessary work so that everyone can realize their American Dream.
Priorities:
End skyrocketing health care costs; increase teacher salaries and support strong public schools; protect union rights; implement criminal justice reform.
Laurie Pohutsky
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 19
which includes the city of Livonia
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Laurie Pohutsky has always volunteered to help her community...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 19
which includes the city of Livonia
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Laurie Pohutsky has always volunteered to help her community. When she was a student at Michigan State University, Laurie volunteered at the Listening Ear Crisis Center, and learned how intimately legislation affects people’s lives. Laurie knows that concerns about the economy, student debt and obtaining a living wage are not just stories on the news. They are the stories of people in her community. As a State Representative in Michigan’s 19th District, Laurie will continue to work toward a Michigan that affords everyone their basic human rights.
Priorities:
Ensuring healthcare as a human right, achieving full civil rights for all, repairing Michigan’s roads, protecting the environment, women’s rights, access to care for senior citizens and education for children.
Julia Pulver
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 39
which includes Wolverine Lake, Wixom, Commerce, West Bloomfield
As a leader in healthcare, patient advocacy and public health, Julia has seen firsthand the importance of getting quality access to healthcare…
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 39
which includes Wolverine Lake, Wixom, Commerce, and West Bloomfield
As a leader in healthcare, patient advocacy, and public health, Julia has seen firsthand the importance of getting quality access to healthcare. She understands the need for having clean lakes and rivers, and she fights for better wages and job protections. A registered nurse and a mother of four, Julia Pulver knows how to multitask and prioritize. She plans to bring people together to get things done for her district.
Priorities:
Healthcare, Education, Water & Environment, Economy, Infrastructure & Energy, Gun Death Prevention.
Hillary Scholten
Michigan
Running for: United States Congress, District 3
which includes Ionia, Barry and Calhoun Counties and portions of Kent and Montcalm Counties
Hillary Scholten’s family story is a West Michigan story...
Michigan
Running for: United States Congress, District 3
which includes Ionia, Barry and Calhoun Counties and portions of Kent and Montcalm Counties
Hillary Scholten’s family story is a West Michigan story. Her great, great grandparents left the Netherlands to build a better life in Grand Rapids. As a mother of 2, a lawyer, a former clerk of the US Court of Appeals in the Second Circuit, and a Department of Justice employee under the Obama Administration, Hillary became a product of her ancestors’ vision. Throughout all of her experiences, Hillary has seen, up close, how the system is rigged in favor of the wealthy and the well-connected. So she knows that to make real change, the system has to change. Hillary now works with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and volunteers at the Times Up Legal Defense Fund. And she is ready to bring her life-long fight for justice to the halls of Congress.
Priorities:
Bring down the cost of health care, create good-paying jobs with good benefits, strengthen Michigan’s public schools, extend civil rights and civil liberties to all.
Sarah Schulz
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 98
which includes Bay and Midland Counties
When Sarah Schulz was 16 years old, her uncle was tragically shot in an armed robbery...
Michigan
Running for: State Representative, District 98
which includes Bay and Midland Counties
When Sarah Schulz was 16 years old, her uncle was tragically shot in an armed robbery. But that incident was not just an example of how society failed her uncle. Sarah knows that society was also failing the group of men who shot him that night. She understands that by focusing on education, job growth and community health, everyone will be better off. While raising two children with her husband, Andrew, Sarah has dedicated her career to working for mission-driven organizations. Now, she is dedicated to helping her community as a state representative.
Priorities:
Create and invest in career opportunities, protect and strengthen school funding, provide access to quality mental and physical health services.