21st Senate District

Rep. Elissa Slotkin was first elected to Congress in 2018 and is now seeking her third term in the 7th Congressional District as the Democratic candidate. She gained recognition for her national security expertise, which she honed while working for the CIA and the Department of Defense.

In addition to national security, her priorities include healthcare, the environment, economic opportunity, equality, gun violence prevention, and campaign finance reform.

Slotkin worked hard in Congress to prevent Trump from abusing his powers. For instance, she was the lead sponsor of a bill to prevent President Trump from launching military action in Iran without Congressional approval.

Slotkin is endorsed by six of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Clean Water Action, and Michigan Education Association.

Slotkin’s opponent is Tom Barrett, a state senator who is staunchly opposed to abortion rights and attacked public health efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. Barrett is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Slotkin is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://elissaforcongress.com

Sarah Anthony is a Democrat running for her first term in the Michigan State Senate. Anthony is currently serving her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Before Anthony was a representative, she was elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners serving as the chair of the Democratic Caucus, the Finance Committee, and vice chair of the board. Currently she serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair in the House, and served as a member of the Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Progressive Women's Caucus, and the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus.

Sarah Anthony’s priorities include committing to fixing our crumbling infrastructure, investing in early childhood education and funding our public schools, and ensuring Michiganders have accessible and affordable health care. Anthony also believes in growing our middle class and increasing the minimum wage, cleaning up our environment, promoting common sense gun reform, and protecting workers’ rights and standing firmly behind unions.

Anthony is endorsed by five of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and Michigan Education Association.

Anthony is running against Republican Nkenge Ayanna Robertson.

Anthony is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.votesarahanthony.com/

Mark Ludwig is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 43rd District. Ludwig studied environmental issues at Michigan State University and is a founding member of the Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus. Ludwig supports reproductive rights and rejects the Big Lie.

Ludwig is endorsed by two of our partners: American Federation of Teachers Michigan and Michigan Education Association.

Ludwig is running against Republican Rachelle M. Smit. Smit is a pro-Trump, MAGA extremist who holds views on elections and education rooted in right-wing misinformation and conspiracy theories, and is anti-reproductive freedom. She is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Mark Ludwig is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: http://markformi43.net

Julie Brixie is an incumbent Democrat running for her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives in the 73rd District. Before serving as a representative, Brixie served on the Meridian Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and was elected to the Meridian Township Board where she served for 18 years.

Brixie’s priorities include protecting our Great Lakes and shutting down Line 5, fully funding our public schools and making college more affordable, and fighting to make sure that common sense gun laws pass in Michigan. Brixie is also passionate about making sure that marginalized communities are recognized and safe, and securing a Medicare for All system in Michigan to make sure everyone has access to safe, affordable, and comprehensive health care.

Brixie is endorsed by seven of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Education Association, and Equality Michigan.

Brixie is running against Republican Norm Shinkle, who sought to not certify the 2020 election as a member of the Board of State Canvassers. He is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Julie Brixie is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: http://www.juliebrixie.com/

Kara Hope is an incumbent Democrat running for her third term to the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to being elected to the Michigan House in 2019, Hope served as an Ingham County commissioner. She received a law degree from Cooley Law School and previously worked as a defense attorney, law professor, and ran her own private practice.

Hope’s priorities include stronger schools, continuing to help Michigan recover from the pandemic, and fighting for equality and justice. She will fight for more resources for teachers, paid sick leave, and stronger unemployment benefits. Hope is committed to protecting access to abortion, fighting to reduce inequalities in heath and education, and protecting the right to vote.

Hope is endorsed by eight of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Clean Water Action, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Education Association, and Equality Michigan.

Hope is running against Republican Jennifer Sokol. Sokol supports right-wing extremist positions founded in conspiracy theories.

Kara Hope is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.votekarahope.com/index.html

Angela Witwer is an incumbent Democrat running for her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives in the 76th District. Before Witwer was elected to the House, she was a nurse for 22 years in Lansing.

Witwer’s priorities include protecting our agriculture and supporting family farmers, increasing funding to our schools and supporting our teachers, repealing the retirement tax on seniors, and fighting for a tax system that works for all Michiganders. She also supports reproductive rights.

Witwer is endorsed by five of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Michigan Education Association, and Equality Michigan.

Witwer is running against Republican Jeremy Whittum.

Angela Witwer is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://voteforangela.com/

Emily Dievendorf is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 77th District. Dievendorf graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in social relations and has over two decades of experience in public policy and civil rights work. She was a staffer for the Michigan House of Representatives, former executive director of Equality Michigan, and continues to serve as co-chair of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights.

Dievendorf’s priorities include ensuring all Michiganders are safe in public spaces, are paid a living wage, have access to a well-funded public education, and have their right to vote protected. She will fight for racial equity and justice, reproductive rights, environmental justice, LGBTQ equality, and to invest in community mental health services and small businesses.

Dievendorf is endorsed by six of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Clean Water Action, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Education Association, and Equality Michigan.

Dievendorf is running against John Magoola. Magoola is a MAGA Republican with right-wing extremist views rooted in conspiracy theories.

Emily Dievendorf is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.emilydievendorf.com

Leah Groves is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 78th District. We were unable to find information on Groves.

Groves is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers Michigan.

We cannot speak to the progressive bonafides of Groves due to a lack of publicly available information. However, Groves is running against republican Gina Johnsen. Johnsen is a pro-Trump, right-wing extremist who holds views on education rooted in anti-LGBTQ propaganda and right-wing misinformation and conspiracy theories. She believes in restricting voting rights and is anti-reproductive freedom and opposes “gun free” zones. She is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Because her opponent is so extreme, we recommend voting for Groves.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/Grovesfor78th/

Landon S. Myers is a Democrat running for his first term on the Eaton County Commission. His priorities include youth civic engagement, expanding high speed internet access, and funding public safety. If elected, Myers would be Eaton County’s first openly gay elected official.

Myers is running against Republican incumbent Blake Mulder. Mulder is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Landon S. Myers is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.electlandon.com/

Terrance Augustine is a Democrat running for re-election to the Eaton County Commission. Augustine also serves as chair of the Commission. He made headlines for calling on Grand Ledge Public Schools Superintendent Brian Metcalf to resign following an insensitive remark the superintendent made following the death of George Floyd. Augustine is running unopposed in this race and is the best choice.

Brandon Haskell is a Democrat running unopposed for re-election to the Eaton County Commission. He previously served as a staffer in the Michigan House of Representatives and is now a project manager for a manufacturer in Detroit. Haskell is passionate about government transparency and social and racial justice. He is endorsed by the United Auto Workers.

Haskell is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://brandonhaskell.com/

Jeanne Pearl-Wright is a Democrat running for re-election to the Eaton County Commission. Pearl-Wright is a retired public school teacher and now serves as a director of a youth services nonprofit. Public health and education are among her priorities. Pearl-Wright is endorsed by the Greater Lansing Labor Council and other local labor organizations, and the Michigan AFL-CIO.

She is running against Republican Julie Hicks.

Given the limited information we have about both candidates, we are unable to determine whether either candidate could be considered progressive to any degree, but at this time we are recommending voters consider Pearl-Wright over Hicks based on the information we were able to find.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/countycommissionerjeannepearlwright

TJ Youngquist is a Democrat running for his first term on the Eaton County Commission and running unopposed. Once elected, Youngquist will be the first openly gay elected official in Eaton County history.

Youngquist is the best choice in this race.

Mark Mudry is a Democrat running for re-election to the Eaton County Commission. We could find little information about the candidate and his platform.

While we cannot speak to the progressive bonafides of Mudry due to a lack of publicly available information, Mudry is running against Republican Mike Atayan, who is decidedly anti-progressive. Atayan publicly supported former President Donald Trump and his policies.

Based on this information, we recommend voting for Mudry.

Jacob Toomey is a Democrat running for his first term on the Eaton County Commission. Toomey’s platform includes ensuring the county receives 100% of its American Rescue Plan Act money, building inclusive communities, and expanding high speed internet access. Toomey is a current Dimondale trustee.

He is running against Republican Dairus Reynnet, who is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and worked on the Commission fighting the COVID-19 prevention efforts of the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, including calling for their health director to resign.

Jacob Toomey is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.votejacobtoomey.com/

Karen Miller is a Democrat running for her first term on the Eaton County Commission. She comes from a proud union family. Parks and recreation, public safety, infrastructure investments, and economic strength are among her top priorities if elected.

She is running against Republican incumbent Brian Lautzenheizer, who worked on the Commission fighting the COVID prevention efforts of the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, including calling for their health director to resign.

Karen Miller is the best choice in this race.

John Salyer is a Democrat running for his first term on the Ingham County Commission. He is running against Republican Randy Maiville, an incumbent running for his sixth term. Maiville is an engineer by training.

Given the limited information we have about both candidates, we are unable to determine whether either candidate could be considered progressive to any degree, but at this time we are recommending voters consider Sayler over Maiville based on the information we were able to find.

Rita Vogel is a Democrat running for her first term on the Ingham County Commission. She has served on the Mason City Council since 2016 and she also organizes local cultural events with The Creative Collective. If elected, she promises to work to address the opioid epidemic and support the community’s farmers.

Vogel is running against Karla Ruest, who is endorsed by anti-choice organization Right to Life of Michigan.

Rita Vogel is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.ritavogelforcountycommissioner.com/

Chris Trubac is a Democrat running for his third term on the Ingham County Commission. In only his first term, he was chosen to chair the Commission’s Human Services Committee. He has worked as an aide to Register of Deeds Derrick Quinney and State Representatives Marilyn Lane and Kevin Coleman. Health, equity, and the environment are among his priorities. He is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and the Michigan AFL-CIO.

Trubac is running against Republican Mike Severino.

Chris Trubac is the more progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.christrubac.com/

Todd Tennis is a Democrat running for his ninth term on the Ingham County Commission. He currently chairs the Human Services Committee for the County Commission. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for unions, seniors, and the disabled. He is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO and local labor groups.

Tennis is running against Republican Jack C. Jordan, an attorney, who we found little information on.

Todd Tennis is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/toddntennis

Myles Johnson is a Democrat running for his first term on the Ingham County Commission. He grew up in a single-parent household and became the first in his family to graduate from college, and is running for office to give people in Lansing’s Eastside a voice. Reproductive rights, food security, and entrepreneurship are among Johnson’s priorities. Johnson is endorsed by numerous local elected officials.

Johnson is running against Republican David Robinson.

Myles Johnson is the more progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.electmyles.com/

Thomas Morgan is a former Democratic Ingham County commissioner running in the new 6th district. Morgan is a former watchdog journalist. Standing up for working people and government transparency are among Morgan’s priorities. As an Ingham County commissioner, Morgan authored the resolution to declare a climate emergency and worked to declare racism as a public health crisis in the county. He is endorsed by education and labor organizations, including the Michigan AFL-CIO.

Morgan is running against Republican Jim Schmidt.

Morgan is the progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.thomasmorgan.org/

Robert Orlando Peña is a Democrat running for his second term on the Ingham County Commission. He works as a civil engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation and has advocated for improved bike transportation and food security countywide. He is a known progressive activist in his community. His personal interests include urban farming, being active in his church, and mission work.

Peña is running against Republican Evelyn Sue Davis.

Robert Orlando Peña is the more progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/bobforcommissioner

Ryan Sebolt is a Democrat running for his fourth term on the Ingham County Commission. Sebolt served as a staff member in the Michigan Legislature and for the AFL-CIO. He is endorsed by unions and progressive leaders across the county. He has a strong track record of standing up for progressive values. Sebolt advocated for American Rescue Plan funds to go towards public health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is working to create a Housing Trust Fund and expand access to broadband internet.

Sebolt is running against Republican Terry L. Maag.

Ryan Sebolt is the progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: http://voteryansebolt.com/

Gabrielle Lawrence is a Democrat running for her first term on the Ingham County Commission. She is a lawyer and also serves as president of the Lansing School Board of Education. During her time on the Board of Education, she waived all library fees for students after an audit found students had limited access to books as a result of these fees, which was unanimously supported by the board.

Lawrence is running against Republican Scott Greenlee. Greenlee is a Republican political consultant and served as president of the organization that opposed the statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiative in 2018. Therefore, we cannot recommend Greenlee.

Lawrence is the more progressive choice in this race.

Mark Grebner is a Democrat running for his 20th term on the Ingham County Commission. He is a nationally recognized political consultant and expert on election administration and the Freedom of Information Act. 

Mark Grebner is running against Republican Virginia Werner.

Mark Grebner is the best choice in this race.

Irene Cahill is a Democrat running for her first full term on the Ingham County Commission after being appointed in October 2021. Cahill works as a forestry supervisor for the city of Lansing and is active in her community. She is dedicated to improving workforce training services. Cahill is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO.

Cahill is running against Republican Mark McKeel.

Cahill is the best choice in this race.

Amy Salisbury is a Democrat running for her first term on the Ingham County Commission. Before running for office, Salisbury was an environmental toxicologist with the state of Michigan for 13 years, and seeks to bring her science background to the Commission. Parks and environment, infrastructure, and mental health care are her top priorities if elected to office.

Salisbury is running against Republican incumbent Randy Schafer, who has served in his position since 1985. We do not recommend voting for Schafer given his endorsement of MAGA extremist Tom Barrett for Congress.

Amy Salisbury is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.amysalisbury.com/

Mark Polsdofer is a Democrat running for his third term on the Ingham County Commission. He currently works in the Michigan Department of Transportation. Throughout his career, he has worked for a number of elected officials, including former Gov. Jennifer Granholm. He is endorsed by local labor groups. He voted in favor of a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis and supports the Black Lives Matter movement.

Polsdofer is running against Republican Sam Frangie, who we could find little information on.

Mark Polsdofer is the more progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/votemarkpolsdofer

Brooke Locke is a Democrat running for his first term on the Ingham County Commission. He works as a realtor in Williamston and is the former chair of the city’s zoning commission. Locke is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights; additionally, expanding broadband access, improving parks and the environment, and creating affordable housing are among his priorities if elected. Locke is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and multiple local elected officials.

Locke is running against Republican Monica Schafer, who we cannot recommend voting for based on her endorsement from the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Brooke Locke is the more progressive choice in this race.