Livingston County

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

Jordan Genso is a Democrat running for the Michigan State Senate for the 49th District. He works as a real estate agent and has served on numerous local boards in his community including Brighton District Library Board of Trustees, Brighton City Zoning Board of Appeals, and Livingston Reappointment Committee. 

Genso supports raising teacher salaries, increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit, protecting voting rights, and putting the cost burden of protecting the environment on corporations. Genso also believes we need to address the harm still being caused by a history of redlining in Michigan and will work to pass common sense gun violence prevention measures.

Genso is endorsed by two of our partner organizations: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and the American Federation of Teachers Michigan.

Genso is running against Republican Lana Theis. Theis is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network, and has repeatedly attacked the LGBTQ community. 

Jordan Genso is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://jordangenso.com/
 

Una Hepburn is a Democrat running for the Michigan State Senate for the 23rd District. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and has worked in public relations for a prosecuting attorney’s office.

Hepburn believes we should raise teacher salaries, increase the minimum wage, provide more funding for childcare, protect voting rights, hold corporations accountable for pollution, address systemic racism and inequality, and pass gun violence prevention measures. She also supports reproductive freedom.

Hepburn is endorsed by two of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and the American Federation of Teachers Michigan.

Una Hepburn is running against Republican Jim Runestad. Runestad has supported education bills rooted in right-wing misinformation and conspiracy theories. Runestad is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Una Hepburn is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

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

Christina Kafkakis is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 49th District. Kafkakis received a Bachelor's of Science degree from Michigan State University and was the first woman in her family to graduate from college. She currently runs her own photography business and is very involved in a variety of community organizations.

Kafkakis’s priorities would be to increase public school funding and expand vocational and technical education programs, lower the cost of prescription medications and expand access to affordable health care. She will also fight to hold polluters accountable and protect our environment, advocate for living wages and collective bargaining rights, and push to expand access to high-speed and affordable internet, as well as protect reproductive rights.

Kafkakis is endorsed by five of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Michigan Education Association, and Equality Michigan.

Kafkakis is running against Republican Ann Bollin. Bollin does not believe in reproductive freedom, has pushed unfounded doubts about Michigan’s elections, and is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Christina M. Kafkakis is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://christinakformichigan.com

Glen Miller is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 50th District. Miller is a small business owner and home repair specialist.

Miller’s priorities would be to fight for abortion access and push to pay our teachers the salaries they deserve while ensuring our schools have the resources our children need, and support LGBTQ equality.

Miller is endorsed by three of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, and Equality Michigan.

Miller is running against Republican Robert (Bob) Bezotte. Bezotte describes himself as a “lifelong member of the NRA.” Bezotte is also anti-abortion rights, against common sense gun violence prevention measures, and has espoused right-wing extremist views on immigration and the 2020 election. He is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network.

Glen Miller is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/GlenMiller4rep

Sarah May-Seward is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 51st District. May-Seward is a lifelong Michigan resident who has lived in the 51st District for three decades. She has worked in the service industry for over 25 years and has been involved in advocating for the expansion of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and helping people apply for unemployment as the volunteer Michigan Unemployment Lead for One Fair Wage. May-Seward is also a member of Little Lobbyists, which works to ensure children and adults with disabilities are protected.

May-Seward’s priorities include fighting for government transparency, ensuring all Michigan children have the resources they need for their education, keeping the government out of people’s bedrooms and doctors’ offices, ensuring wealthy corporations pay their fair share of taxes, and investing in our local communities.

May-Seward is endorsed by three of our partners: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, and Michigan Education Association.

May-Seward is running against Republican Matt Maddock. Maddock is a Trump loyalist who was kicked out of the House GOP caucus for his extreme views. He supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election and regularly pushes extreme right-wing views and conspiracy theories. Maddock is also against protecting reproductive freedom and is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Sarah May-Seward is the most progressive choice in this race.

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

Stacy Taylor is a Democrat running for the Michigan House of Representatives for the 72nd District. She worked for Marriott Hotels for over a decade, has run an arts and crafts business with her husband for 30 years, and is involved in a variety of community programs. Taylor is also a community activist for local environmental issues.

Taylor supports reproductive freedom and believes everyone should have access to health care. She believes in fighting for the health and safety of Michiganders, protecting Michigan’s water, and addressing PFAS contamination.

Taylor is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers Michigan.

Taylor is running against Republican Mike Mueller. Mueller is endorsed by Citizens for Traditional Values, a group that is anti-reproductive freedom and against gay marriage, as well as the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Network and Great Lakes Education Project.

Stacy Taylor is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/816701842635039

Michelle Spisz is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. Helping veterans, addressing the educator shortage, and mental health are among her priorities. She has been a public school teacher for over 15 years and was selected twice by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States as teacher of the year. Additionally, she is very active in her community.

Spisz is endorsed by Michigan AFL-CIO and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

Spisz is running against Republican incumbent Douglas Helzerman. We do not recommend voting for Helzerman based on his endorsement from the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan and his opposition to Proposals 2 and 3 in 2018.

Michelle Spisz is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/mspisz4commish

Lisa Wojciechowski is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. Wojciechowski has an extensive background in public health working at the University of Michigan, where she also serves on its diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. She also helped found a grassroots organization to protect children’s health at an elementary school built on a toxic landfill. She is endorsed by Michigan AFL-CIO.

Her priorities include expanding senior citizens’ services, addressing PFAS and other pollutants in our water, and keeping politics out of public health.

Wojciechowski is running against Republican Dave Domas who is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Lisa Wojciechowski is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/lisa4livingston/

Lori Cowan is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. Her priorities include using federal COVID-19 relief dollars to connect Unadilla Township to the county’s fiber optic system for 911 services, expanding broadband access to homes and protecting the environment. Cowan serves on the Unadilla Township Board of Trustees and is a board member of the Livingston Land Conservancy.

Cowan is endorsed by local labor organizations, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, the Michigan AFL-CIO, and the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

Cowan is running against Republican Frank Sample, who we cannot recommend based on his conservative platform.

Lori Cowan is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lori-Cowan-for-County-Commissioner/100078735322730/

Amelia Purdy-Ketchum is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. Her priorities include expanding broadband access, affordable housing, and funding county services so government employees can make a living. She worked for almost 10 years as an employee in multiple local governments, including serving as director of Howell Recreation. Purdy-Ketchum was the director of the Howell Melon Festival, and sustained extremist anti-LGBTQ+ attacks towards her from local officials and others for booking a drag queen bingo event. She is also endorsed by the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

Her opponent, Republican Wes Nakagiri, is a MAGA Republican who spreads conspiracies about the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nakagiri has been criticized for his mismanagement of the county commission after he moved to remove the county’s parks commissioner for providing diversity, equity and inclusion training to his employees. Nakagiri routinely rallies against teaching accurate history in schools with views rooted in disinformation, and opposed using state and federal funds to fight COVID-19. Nakagiri is an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump and continues to perpetuate the “Big Lie” about our elections.

Amelia Purdy-Ketchum is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/Amelia4LivCo

Kasey Helton is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. She is a former journalist who is now working in the healthcare sector. Her priorities include ending extremism on the commission, expanding broadband access, addressing funding deficits with county services, and creating affordable housing. Helton is a Navy veteran. Additionally, she is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and has rallied against misinformation being spread about COVID-19 by the county commission.

Helton is running against lawyer and Republican Jay Drick who previously served on the Commission from 2011 to 2014. He is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Kasey Helton is the most progressive choice in this race.

Catherine “Lorrie” McMahon is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. She is a lifelong educator, and previously served as superintendent of Brandon School District for six years. McMahon’s priorities include cleaning up PFAS and other pollutants from our water, supporting small businesses, funding recreation services, and addressing public health. McMahon is also a strong supporter of unions and endorsed by the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

McMahon is running against Republican Roger Deaton, who is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Lorrie McMahon is the best choice in this race.

Dr. Caitlyn Perry Dial is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. Her priorities include addressing public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, funding mental health services, expanding broadband access, and affordable housing.

Dr. Dial is the assistant director of development at MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and formerly the executive director of Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame. She earned her Phd in Public History at Western Michigan University. Dr. Dial serves on the board of trustees of the Brighton District Library, as Secretary of the Michigan Museums Association and as vice chair of the Brighton Zoning Board of Appeals.

She is endorsed by local labor organizations, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, the Michigan AFL-CIO, the Michigan Education Association, and the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

Dial is running against Republican Marty Smith.

Dr. Caitlyn Perry Dial is the most progressive choice in this race.

Learn more: https://electcpd.com/

Amber Bismack, PhD is a Democrat running for her first term on the Livingston County Commission. Bismack is an assistant professor of K-12 education at Oakland University. She serves as director and co-founder of Residents Working Against Huron River Flooding, organizing around Hamburg Township to protect the community from devastating flood events. She is also on the board of directors of the Huron River Watershed Council and on U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board. Bismack’s priorities include environmental issues such as PFAS and flooding, and expanding high speed internet access.

Bismack is endorsed by local labor, the Michigan AFL-CIO, and the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

Bismack is running against Nick Fiani, a former Brighton school board member who is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Amber Bismack is the best choice in this race.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/people/Amber-S-Bismack-PhD-for-County-Commissioner/100078883385962/

Christine Kaczkowski is a Democrat running for her first full term on the Livingston County Commission. Her priorities include expanding high speed internet access, food security initiatives, and supporting parks and recreation. She is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO.

We cannot speak to the progressive bonafides of Kaczkowski due to a lack of publicly available information. However, Kaczkowski is running against Republican Jay Gross, who is endorsed by the anti-choice organization Right to Life Michigan.

Based on this information, we recommend voting for Kaczkowski.

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