Bridget Mary McCormack

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.

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Brian Elder

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.

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Vincent Gregory

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.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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Gary Peters

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.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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Julia Pulver

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.

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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. 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.

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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. 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.

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Nate Shannon

Michigan

Running for: State Representative, District 25

which includes parts of Sterling Heights and Warren in Macomb County

Nate Shannon grew up with the values of public service instilled in him. After watching his parents dedicate themselves to teaching, he became a public school teacher himself. Nate understands that high-quality K-12 education is crucial to a person’s success in life. Since January 2015, Nate has served on the Sterling Heights city council, working to ensure the financial stability and progressive innovation of his community. As the State Representative for Michigan’s 25th District, he will use his experiences in public service to continue building opportunities for everyone.

Priorities:

Improving K-12 Education, building a stronger infrastructure, supporting affordable college and job training, maintaining a clean environment.

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Elissa Slotkin

Michigan

Running for: United States Congress, District 8

which includes Livingston and Ingham Counties and parts of Oakland County

As a third-generation Michigander who grew up in Holly, Michigan, Elissa Slotkin always wanted to serve her community. While she was attending graduate school in New York City, 9/11 shocked the nation. That day, Elissa decided that she would dedicate her life to national service. She went on to work in National Security positions under both the Bush and Obama administrations, serving three tours in Iraq and taking on a series of leadership roles in the Defense Department until January 2017. For the past two years, she has continued serving her home state and her nation in Congress.

Priorities:

Affordable and accessible health care, affordable prescription drugs, high quality education, an economy that strengthens the middle class.

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Haley Stevens

Michigan

Running for: United States Congress, District 11

which includes portions of Oakland and Wayne Counties

A dedication to helping others has always followed Haley Stevens’s career. As Chief of Staff on the Auto Rescue, Haley helped create 200,000 Michigan jobs and return the auto industry to financial stability. Most recently, she led a job training initiative and created the country’s first online certification program for digital manufacturing. Haley has been active in public service and volunteering since her teens, and she is continuing to serve her community today in Congress.

Priorities:

Affordable health care for all Americans, new economic growth, quality education for students, maintaining America’s promise to senior citizens, protecting Michigan’s environment.

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Elizabeth Welch

Michigan

Running for: State Supreme Court

For 25 years, Elizabeth has dedicated her legal career to making Michigan work for everyone. She is a mother of 4 and a fierce advocate for justice. Whether she was serving individuals, nonprofits and small businesses, or helping municipalities recover from the costs of the opioid epidemic, Elizabeth has always been working to help the people of her home state. And now, she is ready to bring her diverse experience to the highest court in Michigan.

Priorities:

Safer and fair working conditions, equity in education, protecting Michigan’s natural resources, ensuring the law is applied fairly to all people.

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Angela Witwer

Michigan

Running for: State Representative, District 71

which includes the cities and townships of Eaton County

A lifelong resident of Delta Township, Angela Witwer has always been an active member of her community. From owning a small business, to working as a leader in the health care system, and becoming an elected school board member, Angela knows how to get work done for her community. She is a proud grandmother and a daughter of Michigan farmers. And she is as passionate about advocating for her community as she is about caring for her own family. She knows that everyone needs adequate health care and quality public education, and she will continue fighting for that as a representative for Michigan’s 71st district.

Priorities:

Fighting for a fair tax system, supporting local agriculture, improving public education, protecting senior citizens.

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Thomas West

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 49

which includes a portion of Stark County, including Canton and most of Massillon

State Representative Thomas West is running for re-election to the 49th House District, a diverse district that consists of a portion of Stark County, including Canton and most of Massillon. Rep. West served as a Canton City Council member for 13 years before he was elected to the state legislature.

While serving on Canton City Council, West acted as the Chairman of the Annexation Committee and a member of the Capital Improvement Committee, Special Improvement District and Canton Community Improvement Corporation. He worked on issues surrounding landlord and tenant disputes and various other local ordinances and issues during his time as councilman.

Before serving in local government, Rep. West worked as a mental health professional for over 25 years. During that time he served a range of communities in a variety of roles – both at the individual direct client services level as a licensed clinical social worker and at the macro-level as an advocate, founder, and program administrator. His work in the community has garnered both local and national recognition. His experience as a social worker enables him to bring a unique perspective to the legislature – one of which he is proud of. His passion for ensuring people have the tools and opportunities to live a life of dignity is apparent through his time of service to the community.

As state representative, Rep. West has worked diligently to pass a variety of bipartisan bills, including legislation to create a children’s behavioral healthcare network and legislation to prevent another Ohioan from dying in a tragic accident such as the one that occurred to Dallas Swogger.

In addition to serving in several legislative committees in his role as state representative, West was appointed to the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, Ohio Advisory on Aging and the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board.

West earned a Bachelors and Masters of Social Work from the University of Akron after earning a degree in Business Administration from Mount Union College.

West and his wife have two children and reside in Canton.