Washtenaw County

Rep. Debbie Dingell is a Democratic candidate running for her fourth term in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District. Dingell has risen through the ranks to become co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. She also serves as co-chair of the House Medicare for All Caucus and 12 other caucuses.

Healthcare and education have been focal points for Dingell’s career. She previously served as an executive at General Motors and as president of its foundation. In 2006, Michigan voters elected her to the Wayne State University Board of Governors, which she chaired. In addition to health care and education, her work in Congress has also centered around the auto industry, the environment, and veterans’ affairs.

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

Dingell is facing perpetual candidate and right-wing Republican Jeff Jones.

Dingell is the most progressive candidate in this race.

Learn more: https://debbiedingellforcongress.com/

Sue Shink is a Democrat running for the Michigan State Senate for the 14th District. She received her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Law degrees from the University of Michigan. Shink has been a community advocate for decades, successfully led land conservation efforts, and currently represents District 2 on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.

Shink’s priorities include creating good-paying jobs, fixing the community’s roads and bridges, transitioning to clean energy, and supporting small businesses. She believes health care is a human right and will work to expand access to both physical and mental health care. Shink will support a living wage and labor unions, fight to protect reproductive freedom, and ensure Michigan schools and teachers receive the support and resources they need. She will also advocate for a just, inclusive transition to a renewable and green economy and hold polluters accountable.

Shink is endorsed by six of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Education Association, and Equality Michigan.

Shink is running against Republican Tim Golding. Golding is anti-reproductive rights and supports restricting voting rights. Golding is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Sue Shink is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Jeff Irwin is an incumbent Democrat running for his second term in the Michigan State Senate. He previously served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives where he helped pass Medicaid expansion and introduced legislation that supported better funding for education, protected our environment from polluters, and created jobs. He serves on the Appropriations , Appropriations - Community Health/Human Services, Appropriations - General Government , Appropriations - Universities and Community Colleges, JCAR, Judiciary and Public Safety, and Oversight committees.

Since Irwin has been in the Michigan Senate he has introduced legislation tightening regulations against polluters, ensuring our schools are properly screening students for dyslexia, expunging all cannabis-related offenses, banning PFAS in food packaging, and dramatically expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Irwin’s priorities include senior issues, tax reform, voting rights, labor rights, gun safety, criminal justice reform, racial justice, civil rights, women’s rights, health care, and the environment.

Irwin is endorsed by seven 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, and Michigan Education Association.

Irwin is running against Republican Scott Price.

Jeff Irwin is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://irwinforsenate.com/

Jason Morgan is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives to represent the 23rd District. Morgan grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He has been a Washtenaw County commissioner since 2016, was elected chair in 2019, and served as the county’s first LGBTQ chair. Morgan has a strong history of community service and leadership in a variety of areas.

Morgan’s priorities, if elected to office, will be protecting Michiganders’ right to vote, equitable funding for K-12 schools, free community college, and improving our infrastructure while protecting our air, water, and climate. He would also fight for affordable and accessible health care, strengthen and partner with our labor unions to improve wages and working conditions, protect the LGBTQ community, undo inequitable and racist policies, support common sense gun violence prevention measures, and protect reproductive rights.

Morgan 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.

Morgan is running against Republican Richard L. Sharland.

Jason Morgan is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Reggie Miller is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 31st District. Miller was raised by a single mother after her father passed away and has been working since her first job as a babysitter at nine years-old. She has a history of public service and community volunteer work, and has served as a Van Buren Township Trustee since 2012.

Miller’s priorities include fighting for Michigan families by working towards statewide paid family leave, supporting collecting bargaining rights, and ensuring equal treatment for all Michiganders under the law. Miller will work to increase public school funding, fight for universal PreK, and expand mental health services for Michigan’s children. She will also work to increase mental health support for veterans and first responders, lower prescription drug costs, expand support for opioid addiction, protect our water and air, and expand high speed internet access in rural communities. Miller will also fight to protect abortion access in Michigan.

Miller 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.

Miller is running against Republican Dale Biniecki. Biniecki is anti-reproductive rights and has been endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life of Michigan. He has also been endorsed by the DeVos-backed organizations Great Lakes Education Project and the Michigan Freedom Network.

Reggie Miller is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Jimmie Wilson Jr. is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 32nd District. Wilson was born and raised in Ypsilanti and attended the Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology where he became a licensed aircraft mechanic. He later went on to build wind turbines and currently works as an electrician at Ford Motor Company. Wilson was elected to the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees in 2016, re-elected in 2020, and is currently serving his second term.

Wilson’s priorities include education, health care, housing, civil rights, economic development, environmental justice, workers’ rights, and criminal justice reform. He believes housing is a human right, abortion access should be protected, law enforcement should be held accountable, the minimum wage should be livable, and that everyone deserves clean and safe water. Wilson will fight to increase equitable funding for K-12 schools, lower prescription drug costs, expand mental health care, hold polluters accountable, invest in clean and renewable energy, and pass common sense gun violence prevention measures.

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

Wilson is running against Republican Martin Church.

Jimmie Wilson Jr. is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Felicia Brabec is an incumbent Democrat seeking re-election for her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Brabec is a practicing clinical psychologist. She served on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners for eight years leading the effort to create Washtenaw’s first Racial Equity Policy, the first Food Policy Council, and increase resources for the county’s mental health services.

Brabec’s priorities include environmental justice issues, educational inequity, criminal justice reform, and improving mental health care in our state. She is fighting to protect access to reproductive health care and address the opioid crisis, expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, make college more affordable and expand post-secondary pathways including career and technical training, support small businesses, and enact campaign finance reform.

Brabec is endorsed by six 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, and Michigan Education Association.

Brabec is running against Republican Robert Borer, who is endorsed by the far-right extremist organization Patriot Approved.

Felicia Brabec is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Carrie Rheingans is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 47th District. Rheingans earned a Bachelor's degree, a Master's in Public Health, and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She works as a project director for the Michigan Public Health Institute and a lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Rheingans also serves on the Washtenaw County Board of Health and the Washtenaw Emergency Medical Services Commission and is a member of the American Federation of Teachers.

Rheingans’ priority is fighting for healthy people, healthy families, and healthy communities. She believes abortion is health care, LGBTQ people deserve equal access to health care, and would fight for universal health care in Michigan. Rheingans will work to make both child care and elder care affordable, and support working families by fighting for increased minimum wages, and mandatory paid sick leave and family leave. She would also fight to protect voting rights and reproductive rights, work toward equitable education funding, push to pass common sense gun violence prevention measures, and work for Michigan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

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

Rheingans is running against Republican Tina Bednarski-Lynch. Bednarski-Lynch is anti-reproductive freedom and holds irresponsible views on guns.

Carrie Rheingans is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Jennifer Conlin is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 48th District. Conlin was born and raised in Washtenaw County, attended the University of Michigan and then Northwestern University for her graduate degree in Journalism.


Conlin’s priorities would be to improve infrastructure, including increasing access to broadband internet and upgrading water systems to alleviate flooding and PFAS contamination, and hold corporate polluters accountable. She would also fight to address the opioid crisis, lower prescription drug costs, pass gun violence prevention measures, increase school funding, and invest in affordable housing.

Conlin 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.

Conlin is running against Republican Jason Woolford. Woolford has spread right-wing misinformation, is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, and is anti-reproductive freedom. He is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Jennifer Conlin is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Jason Maciejewski is a Democrat running for his third term on the Washtenaw County Commission. He works as chief Advocacy & planning officer for the nonprofit Area Agency on Aging. He served eight years as a Dexter Township trustee and has served on a number of other local boards and committees. He is a strong advocate for expanding broadband access to rural areas in Washtenaw County.

Maciejewski is running against Republican Jeff Robbins.

Jason Maciejewski is the best choice in this race.

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

Crystal Lyte is a Democrat running for her first term on the Washtenaw County Commission. Mental and physical health care access, education, and expungement opportunities are among her priorities. Lyte is endorsed by numerous local elected officials, labor organizations, the Michigan AFL-CIO, and the Working Families Party.

Lyte is running against Republican David Trent.

Crystal Lyte is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Shannon Beeman is a Democrat running for her third term on the Washtenaw County Commission. She currently works as the associate director of marketing
and communications for the Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan. Efficiency, transparency, and supporting small businesses are among her priorities. She is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO.

Beeman is running against Republican Ken Siler.

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 Beeman over Siler based on the information we were able to find.


Learn more: http://votebeeman.com/

Caroline Sanders is a Democrat running for her second term on the Washtenaw County Commission. She is a care provider and a proud member of the UAW, which has endorsed her for County Commissioner. Her priorities include expanding child care programs, health care, and educational opportunities.

Sanders is running against Republican Robert Zimmerman.

Caroline Sanders is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.sanders4commissioner20.com

Justin Hodge is a Democrat running for his second term on the Washtenaw County Commission. A social worker by profession and faculty member at the University of Michigan, he is focused on expanding economic opportunity and mobility for residents as well as making residents feel more connected to their government.

He is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and the Working Families Party.

Hodge is running against Republican Brett Birk.

Justin Hodge is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Annie Somerville is a Democrat running for her first term on the Washtenaw County Commission. She sits on the Ypsilanti City Council and serves as State Senator Jeff Irwin’s chief of staff. Finding equitable solutions to increasing access to food, clean water, housing, and healthcare are among her priorities.

She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and the Working Families Party.

Somerville is running against Republican Todd VonSchulze.

Annie Somerville is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Andy LaBarre is a Democrat running for his sixth term on the Washtenaw County Commission. LaBarre currently serves as executive vice president and director of government relations for the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber. He has also worked for U.S. Senator Carl Levin and Congressman John Dingell.

LaBarre is running against Republican Jonathan Smart.

Andy LaBarre is the best choice in this race.

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

Yousef Rahbi is running for his first term on the Washtenaw County Commission. He is currently finishing his third term in the State House of Representatives, where he serves as the Democratic Floor Leader. Rabhi is known for having a strongly progressive record in the state house.

He is running against Republican Leslie Shannon.

Yousef Rabhi is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Katie Scott is a Democrat running for her third term on the Washtenaw County Commission. A registered nurse, Scott currently serves as vice president of the Michigan Nurses Association.

Scott is running against Republican Stuart Berry.

Katie Scott is the best choice in this race.

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