23rd 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.

Rep. Debbie Dingell is a fighter for progressive values and lifelong activist running for her sixth term in Congress to represent the 6th District.

Rep. Dingell became politically active at a young age and has been a stalwart advocate for women and children’s interests, as well as every person’s right to access the healthcare they need. Her policy priorities include fighting for equal rights for all, securing a bright future by protecting our climate, supporting public schools, and building an economy where everyone can thrive.

Rep. Dingell has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Clean Water Action, Michigan Education Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Rep. Dingell’s opponent in this race is Heather Smiley, a Republican whose economic policies heavily favor corporate interests over ordinary people, as well as criminalizing abortion care.

Rep. Debbie Dingell is the most progressive choice in this race.

Curtis Hertel is a former state legislator, currently working for Governor Whitmer, who is running for his first term in Congress to represent the 7th District.

Throughout his career, Hertel has striven to find workable solutions to the problems facing Michiganders and ensure everyone in our state can thrive. In the Senate, Hertel was known for his fiery support of abortion rights, the labor movement and public education.

As a member of Gov. Whitmer’s team after he left the state senate, he helped work to pass major gun violence prevention legislation after the tragic shooting at Michigan State University. His policy platform for Congress includes protecting our freedom to vote, making sure everyone can get the reproductive healthcare they need, combating climate change, and passing common sense gun violence prevention laws to make our communities safer.

Hertel has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan Education Association, Service Employees International Union - Michigan, Sierra Club - Michigan, MI Poder, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Hertel’s opponent in this race is Tom Barrett, a MAGA Republican who believes in criminalizing abortion and participated in the Trump-led far right campaign to overturn legitimate election results in 2020. Barrett is also endorsed by the anti-reproductive freedom organization Right to Life Michigan.

Curtis Hertel is the most progressive choice in this race.

Jason Morgan is an incumbent Democrat running for his second term to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent the 23rd District. He serves on a variety of appropriations subcommittees, including as chair of the subcommittee on Military and Veteran Affairs and State Police.

​​Morgan 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. Morgan 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.

Morgan grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He served as a Washtenaw County commissioner for six years and served as the county’s first LGBTQ+ chair. Morgan has a strong history of community service and leadership in a variety of areas, including holding senior staff positions for multiple members of Congress and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Morgan’s priorities are 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 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, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Sierra Club - Michigan.

Morgan is running against Republican David Stamp.

Jason Morgan is the most progressive choice in this race.

Bill Bon is a Democrat running for his first term on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. He recently retired after 32 years as an attorney for the Teamsters, where he helped negotiate contracts and he is a past president of UAW Local 122. He also has worked in voter protection in Michigan and Ohio to protect citizens’ right to vote during elections.

His priorities include public transportation, services for seniors, protecting the environment, infrastructure, and bringing a new viewpoint to the Board.

Bon is running against Republican Elizabeth Hundley. Hundley has been endorsed by the anti-reproductive freedom organization Right to Life Michigan.

Bill Bon is the best choice in this race.

Dr. Dan Luria is running for re-election as Livingston County Treasurer. He has worked for the UAW and is an executive of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. He plans to hold quarterly budget meetings and help ensure that Veterans’ Millage funds actually go to serve veterans.

Dr. Luria has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organization: Michigan AFL-CIO.

Dr. Luria is running against Republican Jennifer Gehringer-Nash who has been endorsed by the anti-reproductive freedom organization Right to Life Michigan.

Luria is the best choice in this race.

Heather Hodge is a Democrat running for Livingston County Drain Commissioner. She was born in Livingston County and holds a bachelor’s of science in Environmental Studies and Biology and is currently in pursuit of a master’s of science in Public Health. She works at the Bioeconomy Institute at Michigan State University, where she trains personnel in maintaining and operating analytical instrumentation.

Hodge’s priorities include finding solutions that enhance the local infrastructure to provide clean water, prevent flooding, and safeguard the environment while maintaining the standard of public health.

Hodge is running against Republican incumbent Brian Jonckheere

Heather Hodge is the best choice for this race.

Dave Coulter is a Democrat running for his second term as Oakland County executive. He is the first Democrat to hold this office, in addition to being the first who is openly part of the LGBTQ+ community. Coulter previously served as mayor of Ferndale and on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

As executive, his accomplishments include establishing offices focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, and Older Adult Services. Coulter has also made strides to increase access to post-secondary education and address student mental health. If reelected, Coulter plans on continuing his work to expand public transportation options and move county operations back to downtown Pontiac.

Coulter 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.

Coulter is running against MAGA Republican Nik Gjonaj. Gjonaj is a supporter of former President Donald Trump and opposes efforts to foster diversity in county government.

Dave Coulter is the best choice in this race.

Karen McDonald is an incumbent Democrat running for her second term as Oakland County prosecuting attorney. She is a former high school English teacher and also served as a judge on the Oakland County Circuit Court.

Since taking office, McDonald has focused on juvenile justice reform and restoring fairness in the legal system. McDonald is responsible for establishing Oakland County’s first-ever Convictions Integrity Unit, which is responsible for reviewing claims of wrongful convictions and making recommendations for release. In July 2021, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed McDonald to serve on the State of Michigan’s Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform. Notably, McDonald led the prosecution against the assailant responsible for the Oxford High School shooting, resulting in three convictions in February 2024.

McDonald has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Equality Michigan Action Network, Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan Education Association, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

McDonald is running against Republican Scott Farida.

Karen McDonald is the best choice in this race.

Lisa Brown is an incumbent Democrat running for her fourth term as Oakland County clerk and register of deeds. Brown previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives, where she was known as being an outspoken voice on women’s issues and reproductive freedom. Since being in office, Brown has made expanding voting rights a priority, working hard to establish early voting procedures and open a permanent satellite office. She also currently serves as vice president of the Michigan Association of County Clerks.

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

Brown is running against Republican Barb Pallotta. We couldn’t find much information on Pallotta, but she is campaigning with prominent conservative political figures.

Lisa Brown is the best choice in this race.

Robert Wittenberg is an incumbent Democrat running for his second term as Oakland County treasurer. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives, holding the role of vice-chair on both the House Financial Liability Reform Committee and the Insurance Committee. Wittenberg’s priorities include improving property values, reducing unjust foreclosures, and supporting local small businesses.

Wittenberg has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Michigan Education Association and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Wittenberg is running against Republican Donna Blake, who is decidedly anti-progressive. Blake holds harmful views towards the LGBTQ+ community and irresponsible views on taxes.

Robert Wittenberg is the best choice in this race.

Jim Nash is a Democratic incumbent running for his fourth term as Oakland County water resources commissioner. He served for three years as a U.S. Army Medical Specialist and is a past recipient of Michigan Sierra Club's Environmentalist of the Year award. His priorities include resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and water affordability.

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

Nash is running against Republican Steve Johnson.

Jim Nash is the best choice in this race.

Eli Savit is a Democrat running for his second term as Washtenaw County prosecuting attorney. Early in his career, he served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and throughout his career has worked to reform the criminal justice system. Under his leadership since 2021, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office has received acclaim for its rehabilitation initiatives for criminal offenders. Savit is also responsible for reestablishing the popular Conviction Integrity and Expungement Unit, which has assisted over 1,000 Washtenaw County residents to clear old criminal records, allowing them to access jobs, housing, and employment opportunities.

Savit has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Equality Michigan Action Network, Michigan AFL-CIO, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

Eli Savit is running unopposed and is the best choice in this race.

Alyshia Dyer is a Democrat running for her first term as Washtenaw County Sheriff. She served as a patrol deputy in the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office for almost a decade. She later earned advanced degrees from both the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan.

Her priorities include reforming the Washtenaw County Jail by reimplementing in-person visitation, increasing morale and wellness of law enforcement officers, closing racial disparities in traffic ticket issuance, and increasing department accountability.

Dyer has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Michigan AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

Dyer is running unopposed.

Dyer is the best choice in this race.

Larry Kestenbaum is an incumbent Democrat running for re-election as Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds. With a background in city and regional planning and historic preservation, Kestenbaum has been clerk and register of deeds in Washtenaw County for nearly two decades, taking responsibility for public records, from birth certificates to mortgages. He also recently served as co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the Michigan Association of County Clerks, and has testified before House and Senate committees on a variety of issues. Kestenbaum’s office has taken action to eliminate racially restrictive housing covenants in Washtenaw County, in addition to making county records more accessible online.

Kestenbaum is running against MAGA Republican Samantha Strayer, who was a Trump delegate at the Republican National Convention this year.

Larry Kestenbaum is the best choice in this race.

Latitia Lamelle-Sharp is a Democrat running for her first term as Washtenaw County Treasurer. She works as a division administrator with the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s office. Lamelle-Sharp has experience with financial compliance and overseeing operational activities in Washtenaw County government, and she is a member of both the Government Finance Officers Association and the National Grant Management Association. If elected, Lamelle-Sharp will work to establish foreclosure prevention initiatives and programs.

Lamelle-Sharp is running against Republican Robert Zimmerman.

Lamelle-Sharp is the best choice in this race.

Gretchen Driskell is a Democrat running for her first term as Washtenaw County WaterResourcesCommissioner. Her career includes being the first female mayor of Saline, where she served for 14 years, in addition to serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Once elected, Driskell is committed to supporting water infrastructure in Washtenaw’s rural communities and ensuring that the county is equipped to deal with flooding.

Driskell is running against Republican Lisa Gubaci-Root.

Gretchen Driskell is the best choice in this race.

Raphael Washington is a Democrat running for re-election as Wayne County sheriff. Washington is a lifelong resident of Wayne County and has served with the Detroit Police Department for more than two decades. He is very active in the community and serves on multiple community boards. Washington believes law enforcement leaders must be discerning in their decision-making, yet compassionate. His background in law enforcement is wide-ranging, including supervision of incarcerated persons, policy development, and operational efficiency.

Washington is running against Republican T.P. Nykoriak.

Washington is the better choice in this race.

Cathy M. Garrett is a Democrat running for re-election as Wayne County clerk. She has spent her time in office working to modernize county records, implement more accessible voter services, reduce wait times, and improve overall experience to meet the community’s needs. Garrett has also advocated for and worked towards increased transparency in the clerk’s office.

Garrett is running against Libertarian Joseph H. LeBlanc.

Cathy M. Garrett is the best choice in this race.

Bernard J. Youngblood is an incumbent Democrat running for re-election as Wayne County register of deeds.

Youngblood is running against Republican Afaf Ahmad.

Bernard J. Youngblood is the best choice in this race.

Eric Sabree is an incumbent Democrat running unopposed for Wayne County treasurer. He is the best choice in this race.

Ellen Gelerman is running for her first term on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. She is an author. We cannot speak to the progressive bonafides of Gelerman due to limited available information.

However, Gelerman is running against Republican incumbent Phil Weipert, who is decidedly anti-progressive. Weipert has been endorsed by the anti-reproductive freedom organization Right to Life and played a role in gerrymandering County Commission districts to favor Republicans in 2012.

Because her opponent is so extreme, we believe Ellen Gelerman is the best choice in this race.

Crystal Lyte is a Democrat running for her second term on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Mental and physical health care access, education, and expungement opportunities are among her priorities. Outside of her duties as commissioner, she is an employee at Michigan Works Southeast/Washtenaw.

Lyte has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organization: Michigan AFL-CIO.

Lyte is running against Republican Polly McNichol, who has pushed out personal anti-immigrant and pro-MAGA content.

Crystal Lyte is the best choice in this race.

Andy LaBarre is an incumbent Democrat running for his seventh term on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. LaBarre currently serves as executive vice president and director of government relations for the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Regional Chamber. He has also worked for U.S. Senator Carl Levin and Congressman John Dingell. One of his main priorities is bolstering county mental health services.

LaBarre has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations Michigan AFL-CIO.

Andy LaBarre is running unopposed and is the best choice in this race.

Yousef Rahbi is an incumbent Democrat running for his second term on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. He previously served in the State House of Representatives, including as the Democratic Floor Leader. Rabhi is known for his progressive values, speaking up on behalf of environmental, labor, and social justice issues.

Rabhi has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Michigan AFL-CIO.

He is running against Republican Leslie Shannon.

Yousef Rabhi is the best choice in this race.

Carol Souchock is a Democrat running for election to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners to represent the 9th District. She has previously worked in a variety of leadership positions in local governments including the City of Southfield and Macomb County, and most recently she worked as the director of the Plymouth District Library. Souchock is passionate about making sure Wayne County communities are good places to live, work, and play. She will focus on strengthening local business and helping the most vulnerable community members including seniors, veterans, and the economically disadvantaged.

Souchock is running against incumbent Republican Terry A. Marecki.

Carol Souchock is the best choice in this race.