Received this e-mail today from former State Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D. MI):
I am so energized today after participating in the largest Michigan Democratic Party convention in modern history on Saturday. Nearly 5,000 people attended -- many of them for the first time ever. We need new blood and new ideas in the Democratic Party, because as I said yesterday, 2016 showed us that our party needs to change.
We have to rebuild the Democratic Party. We've lost our way. We've been too apologetic and conciliatory. We've taken people for granted, and that's wrong. We should be out earning every vote.
That's why I got into this campaign so early. To win the governor’s race, it's going to take someone who is dedicated full-time to engaging people throughout the state and earning support, and that’s exactly what I’m already doing.
And that even means engaging people who didn’t vote the way we did in November – or who didn’t vote at all. We need to bring more people into the fold.
Yes, our opinions might be different, but we share the same concerns. We all want to send our children to great neighborhood schools. We all want our economy to thrive and the opportunity for jobs that pay enough so you can raise a family. We all want quality, affordable health care. We all want fair elections that aren’t compromised by special interests and dark money.
If you’re with us and ready for change, will you make a contribution of $3 or more to our grassroots campaign for Governor today?
2016 showed us just how badly people across our country and our state want change. This weekend’s Michigan Democratic Party Convention is a springboard for our state and our party. Let’s commit to creating shared vision for a better future for us all.
It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Like I said on Saturday, I don’t go looking for fights, but I never back down from one. I hope you’re with me.
Thank you,
Gretchen
Click here to donate to Whitmer’s campaign.