61st House District

Vice President Kamala Harris is running for president and has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to serve as her vice president. Between them, Harris and Walz have a wealth of executive and legislative experience, and both have demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting our freedoms and fighting for a brighter future for all Americans.

Before serving as vice president, Kamala Harris was California’s Attorney General and served in the U.S. Senate. Tim Walz spent 24 years in the US Military before his professional career as a teacher and coach, before serving six terms in Congress and one full term as governor of Minnesota.

Harris and Walz’s vision for America centers on protecting the rights and freedoms of people across the country and fighting back against the attacks MAGA Republicans have launched on abortion access, LGBTQ+ equality, voting rights, and racial justice. They also aim to foster an economic environment where everyone can thrive, not just corporations and the wealthy, protect our environment from corporate polluters, and enact common-sense gun violence prevention laws to make us all safer.

Harris and Walz have been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Clean Water Action, Emgage Action, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, Michigan United Action, MI Poder, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Sierra Club - Michigan.

Vice President Harris’s opponent in this race is former president Donald Trump, a con man whose time in the White House was characterized by chaos, bigotry, and a focus on taking care of himself and his wealthy friends. Trump has selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance to be his running mate. Vance has limited experience in governing and has followed Trump’s lead in spreading harmful racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda.

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the most progressive choices in this race

Vice President Kamala Harris is running for president and has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to serve as her vice president. Between them, Harris and Walz have a wealth of executive and legislative experience, and both have demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting our freedoms and fighting for a brighter future for all Americans.

Before serving as vice president, Kamala Harris was California’s Attorney General and served in the U.S. Senate. Tim Walz spent 24 years in the US Military before his professional career as a teacher and coach, before serving six terms in Congress and one full term as governor of Minnesota.

Harris and Walz’s vision for America centers on protecting the rights and freedoms of people across the country and fighting back against the attacks MAGA Republicans have launched on abortion access, LGBTQ+ equality, voting rights, and racial justice. They also aim to foster an economic environment where everyone can thrive, not just corporations and the wealthy, protect our environment from corporate polluters, and enact common-sense gun violence prevention laws to make us all safer.

Harris and Walz have been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Clean Water Action, Emgage Action, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, Michigan United Action, MI Poder, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Sierra Club - Michigan.

Vice President Harris’s opponent in this race is former president Donald Trump, a con man whose time in the White House was characterized by chaos, bigotry, and a focus on taking care of himself and his wealthy friends. Trump has selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance to be his running mate. Vance has limited experience in governing and has followed Trump’s lead in spreading harmful racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda.

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the most progressive choices in this race

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who has represented Michigan for three terms in Congress as a member of the House of Representatives, is running this year for her first term representing Michigan in the U.S. Senate.

Rep. Slotkin spent much of her career working on national security issues for the federal government. After losing her mother to cancer and witnessing firsthand the way families dealing with a serious illness must also navigate tremendous financial stress, she decided to run for Congress and work toward a more just healthcare system.

In addition to taking on big pharma and insurance companies, Rep. Slotkin’s policy priorities include creating safer communities via gun violence prevention laws, protecting abortion rights, reducing inequality and ensuring all families have what they need to thrive, and defending our democracy and voting rights.

Rep. Slotkin has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan Education Association, Michigan United Action, MI Poder, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Sierra Club - Michigan.

Rep. Slotkin’s opponent is Mike Rogers, a Trump-endorsed candidate who shares many of the former president’s priorities, including harsh, authoritarian immigration and policing policies, criminalizing abortion, and supporting corporations over everyday Americans. Mike Rogers recently moved back to Michigan after living in Florida for years in order to run for the U.S. Senate.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin is the most progressive choice in this race.

After nearly 40 years serving as Macomb County Prosecutor, assistant U.S. attorney, and circuit court judge, Carl Marlinga is running for his first term in Congress to represent the 10th District.

Marlinga is a lifelong advocate who works hard to ensure everyone has the resources they need to thrive. His policy priorities include enshrining abortion rights into federal law, protecting the Great Lakes from corporate polluters, building a better, fairer justice system, and creating good-paying jobs across the state.

Marlinga has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, Michigan United Action, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Sierra Club - Michigan.

Marlinga’s opponent in this race is John James, a MAGA Republican who supports criminalizing abortion, restrictive anti-voter laws, and corporate tax giveaways. James is also endorsed by the anti-reproductive freedom organization Right to Life Michigan.

Carl Marlinga is the most progressive choice in this race.

Denise Mentzer is an incumbent Democrat running for her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives in the 61st District. She is the current representative for the 61st District and sits on appropriations and labor legislative committees.

​​Mentzer served in a historic legislative session with a Democratic majority that took major strides forward on key progressive issues. The Democratic majority passed the Reproductive Health Act, ensuring all Michiganders can make their own decisions about how and when to start a family, gave Michigan's kids free school breakfast and lunch and additional funds to support our students, and passed common sense gun violence prevention measures. Putting hard-working Michiganders' first, they also quintupled the Working Families Tax Credit, got rid of the retirement tax, and got rid of so-called "right to work" anti-worker legislation to ensure workers have bargaining power to stand up to greedy corporations. Mentzer also helped expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and codify parts of the Affordable Care Act into law that protect LGBTQ+ Michiganders from discrimination in healthcare, housing, and the workplace.

Mentzer’s policy priorities focus on addressing the immediate needs of Michigan families while fostering long-term economic growth and sustainability. She is dedicated to making healthcare affordable and accessible, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions, and is committed to defending women’s rights to make private reproductive health decisions. Mentzer emphasizes the importance of education and vocational training, advocating for expanded access to trade schools and college programs to help individuals acquire the skills needed to advance Additionally, Mentzer is determined to improve and modernize water infrastructure, directing state funds towards replacing outdated pipes and enhancing local water treatment facilities to safeguard community health and well-being.

Mentzer has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Equality Michigan Action Network, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan Education Association, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Service Employees International Union - Michigan, Sierra Club - Michigan, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

Mentzer is running against right-to-life Republican candidate Robert Wojtowicz, who is endorsed by anti-reproductive freedom organization Right to Life Michigan and the anti-public education, DeVos-backed organization, the Great Lakes Education Project.

Denise Mentzer is the most progressive choice in this race.

Christina Hines, a Macomb County native, is a Democrat running for Macomb County prosecuting attorney. With a law degree from Wayne State University and extensive experience—including leading the Appeals Division and Special Victims Unit at the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office—she has championed justice through initiatives like the Restorative Justice Diversion Program and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

Hines will work to ensure justice for victims of violent and sexual crimes. She will focus on providing thorough investigations, trauma-informed support, and community collaboration to address these issues effectively.

Hines also aims to shift the focus from criminalization to treatment for drug addiction and mental health, advocating for expanded rehabilitation options and diversion programs. She will work to reduce racial disparities, hold polluters accountable, and promote fairness and integrity within the Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, Hines supports crime prevention initiatives and strives to ensure respectful and dignified operations in the office.

Hines has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Equality Michigan Action Network, Michigan Education Association, Sierra Club - Michigan, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

Hines is running against politically controversial Republican candidate Peter J. Lucido, who has faced numerous accusations about his treatment of women in professional settings and employees within the county. While in the legislature, he earned a reputation as a far-right lawmaker.

Christina Hines is the best choice in this race.

Anthony M. Wickersham is a Democrat running for re-election as Macomb County sheriff. He has dedicated nearly three decades to the Sheriff’s Office and was first appointed sheriff of Macomb County in 2011. Wickersham holds an associate’s degree from Macomb County Community College and a bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State University. He has also completed advanced training at the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. Sheriff Wickersham remains committed to delivering efficient and effective public safety services to both residents and visitors of Macomb County.

Wickersham has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organization: Michigan Education Association.

Wickersham is running against Republican candidate Scott Budnick, who holds dangerous right-wing views on immigration.

Anthony M. Wickersham is the best choice in this race.

David Adams is a Democrat running for his first term as Macomb County Clerk. According to his website, he will offer integrity, transparency, and a commitment to responsible governance.

Adams is running against Republican incumbent Anthony G. Forlini who is decidedly right-wing and has previously hired right-wing extremists to train poll workers.

David Adams is the best choice in this race.

Matt Churchwell is a Democrat candidate for Macomb County treasurer with deep roots in the community. Churchwell holds a master’s in organizational leadership and an MBA from Detroit Mercy.

Churchwell is dedicated to supporting Macomb County's working families and fostering a robust local economy. He believes that strong unions are essential for maintaining a thriving middle class and ensuring fair wages for workers. As Treasurer, Churchwell will advocate for fair business practices, high-quality jobs, and ensuring that local workers are well-compensated.

In addition to economic concerns, Churchwell emphasizes the importance of addressing family needs and improving infrastructure. He aims to support families facing financial hardships and advocate for the responsible use of property tax revenue to repair and enhance local roads and public services. Churchwell is also a staunch advocate for reproductive freedom. His approach focuses on integrating economic development, family support, and personal freedoms to build a stronger, more equitable Macomb County.

Churchwell has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Michigan Education Association and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

Churchwell is running against Republican candidate Larry Rocca.

Matthew Churchwell is the best choice in this race.

Kevin Higgins is a Democrat running for his first term as Macomb Public Works Commissioner.

She is running against Republican incumbent Candice Miller, who opposes efforts to keep water accessible and affordable to low-income families and was endorsed by Donald Trump in 2016

We are recommending voters consider Kevin Higgins over Candice Miller based on the information we were able to find.

Matthew S. Smith is running for his first term as Macomb County Clerk against Republican incumbent Joseph V. Romano.

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 Matthew S. Smith over Joseph V. Romano based on the information we were able to find.

Edlira Sako is running for election to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. She currently works as a lead teacher at Macomb Montessori Academy while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at Wayne State University. Originally from Albania, Edlira moved to Clinton Township in 2012. With a strong commitment to community and public service, Edlira brings a unique perspective and dedication to her candidacy.

Sako’s top priorities are improving road and infrastructure maintenance, protecting natural resources like the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair, and enhancing mental health support. She will address critical road repairs, ensure clean drinking water, and advocate for compassionate mental health services. Sako will commit to being a responsive and visible commissioner, prioritizing effective governance and open communication with the community.

Sako has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organization: Sierra Club - Michigan.

Sako is running against Republican incumbent James M. Pema, who opposed the land bank authority that was sought to combat the housing crisis.

Edlira Sako is the best choice in this race.

Antoinette Wallace is running unopposed for her second term on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners representing the 8th District. She aims to strengthen partnerships between Macomb County, local businesses, and communities to better support both school-aged youth and seniors.

Antoinette Wallace is the best choice in this race.

Harold Haugh is a Democrat running unopposed for re-election to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, where he is serving his third term. With decades of public service, including time in the Michigan House of Representatives and as Mayor of Roseville, Haugh currently chairs multiple county retirement boards overseeing over a billion dollars in assets. He also leads the Government Oversight and Continuous Improvement for Child Support Committees.

Harold R. Haugh is the best choice in this race.