Today’s shocking and truly disturbing news out of Michigan calls for a response.
What’s worse, the terrorists arrested by the FBI had been part of the mob threatening the MI legislature earlier this year...inside the building.
The best response national Democrats can make is to help give Governor Gretchen Whitmer a majority in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Think about what a clear signal that would send to the nation.
It’s time to reject gun extremists and violent homegrown terrorism and put majorities into our legislatures that will make our State Houses safe places again...places where we pass legislation that protect everyone.
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I’ve already written about Chokwe Pitchford and Barb Anness, two excellent Michigan candidates who still need all the help we can give them if they have a chance to win. (People tell me that Barb’s race may be the crucial tipping point seat in Michigan, if we are to win the majority.)
Tonight I’d like to urge you to support Kelly Breen (HD-38) and Julia Pulver (HD-39). Their campaigns are two more key components of the races we need to win to flip the MI State House Blue and send a clear message to those who would coddle extremism in our midst.
Julia, who has an excellent endorsement list, has already tweeted in support of Governor Whitmer:
You can donate to Julia directly at her campaign link here. And she also has an excellent volunteer opportunity coming up this weekend:
Novi City Council member Kelly Breen (link to her excellent endorsement list) has a slightly more understated approach to her campaign. But her substance is well worth supporting.
She’s also lined up the kind of sober endorsements from respected local officials that make a difference in a close race:
“Kelly Breen represents the very best of the next generation of public servants. She has stepped up to take the baton of leadership, and we have all been better for it. In getting to know Kelly, I have been impressed with her depth of knowledge on important issues at the local and state levels, and her passion for advocating for the people of Novi, Walled Lake, and the entire 38th District. I am proud to give Kelly Breen my complete endorsement to be our State Representative.
-William Roberts, former Walled Lake Mayor (1973-1977 / 1986-2013)
You can donate to Kelly directly here.
I’ve also added both these candidates as urgent additions to my State Level Impact 2020 ActBlue page focused on supporting key state legislative races (and allowing you to opt out of candidate emails.)
I urge you to take action today.
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When I started this project it was with the thought in mind that this election cycle might be thrown into “distractions” and “zaniness.” I trust Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. And I am truly in AWE of Marc Elias….Democratic HERO and lawyer for voting rights in 2020...who leads a team of election experts fighting so that every last vote is counted.
Now, more than ever, the importance of State Level candidates is paramount. These candidates are relentlessly local and the money and energy we provide to support them goes directly into winning MORE VOTES for our entire ticket. In fact, “Up Ticket” voting is a thing when local candidates turn out the hardest to reach voters from their deep networks of family, friends and business associates.
Please, as this election closes, keep your eyes on the prize and support local candidates who will help fight gerrymandering and pass laws that send a clear message that American Democracy is resilient and here to stay!
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About this series:
I’m a longtime local election activist and Dailykos blogger dating back to 2003. I was part of helping local blogs and the netroots drive Democrats to take back the House in 2006 and helped build some of the biggest and most successful grassroots and online groups supporting Barack Obama.
The 2020 Democratic State Legislative candidates are heroes, and deserve our support. (If you are on Twitter please click on that link!) They are our best chance of changing US politics including GOP voter suppression and gerrymandering for decades to come and many of them will run campaigns that help us win electoral college votes and key US Senate and House votes:
Mokah Jasmine Johnson (GA) | Akilah Bacy (TX) | Joanna Cattanach (TX) | Ricky Hurtado (NC) | Sara Rodriguez (WI) | Franccesca Cesti-Brown (FL) | Brandy Chambers (TX) | Anton Andrew (PA) | Chokwe Pitchford (MI) | Sarah Yacoub and Emily Siegrist (WI) | Travis Boldt (TX) | Patty Smith and Lindsay Drew (PA) | Keke Williams (TX) | Donna Lake and Nicole Quick (NC) | JoAnna Mendoza and Felipe Perez (AZ) | Barb Anness (MI) | Shaun Murphy-Lopez and Deb Andraca (WI) | Deb Ciamacca and Claudette Williams (PA)
You can also visit and donate at the State Level Impact 2020 ActBlue Page (Page created w/ an email privacy option for those who prefer to make a one time donation to multiple candidates.)
