2024 Endorsements

United States

President

Kamala Harris

Kamala D. Harris is the Vice President of the United States. She always fights for the people – from her barrier-breaking time as District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California, to proudly serving as a United States Senator and the Vice President.

Website

Vice President

Tim Walz

Governor Walz is a champion for America's working families. He enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17 and served for 24 years, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. After attending college thanks to the GI Bill, Tim Walz served his community as a high school teacher and football coach – taking his team to the state championship for the first time in the school's history. He became a member of Congress in a Republican district by representing the needs of farmers and rural America. As Governor, Tim Walz cut taxes for working families, lowered the cost of insulin and eliminated junk fees, and protected women's right to choose.

Website

US Senate

Elissa Slotkin

Elissa has dedicated her career to serving the country she loves. She happened to be in New York City on September 11, 2001, and by the time the dust cleared, Elissa knew she wanted to go into national security to protect our homeland. She was recruited by the CIA to be a Middle East analyst, and within a year she was sent on the first of three tours in Iraq alongside the U.S. military. Her time in a combat zone led her to national security roles at the White House, where she worked as a civil servant, for whoever was the Commander-in-Chief. Elissa worked for President Bush as a member of his national security staff and was asked to stay on when President Obama took office. In the Obama Administration, she helped negotiate some of the Pentagon's most sensitive national security matters from the fight against ISIS to the U.S. response to Russian aggression. No matter the issue, the values Elissa learned growing up in Michigan – a straightforward, common-sense approach – were what helped her succeed as a national security leader. But the reason she first decided to run for office was more personal: her mom. Elissa's mother died of ovarian cancer in 2011. She struggled to afford healthcare for years because of an early case of breast cancer, and at the time, the insurance companies had gouged her for years based on that pre-existing condition. The same month that the family got her mother's terminal diagnosis and was desperately trying to get her life-saving care was the same month that they were also filling out the paperwork for her to declare bankruptcy. Protections for people with pre-existing conditions and the exorbitant cost of healthcare and prescription drugs got Elissa into politics, and it remains one of her top priorities. Elissa has spent her time in Congress working on the issues that she hears about most from people across Michigan: bringing down the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, bringing critical supply chains back to the U.S., creating jobs with dignity, and getting money out of politics. Now, she's ready to fight for all of Michigan's working families in the U.S. Senate.

Website

MI CD-4

Jessica Swartz

Hard work is in Jessica Swartz's DNA. Born and raised in West Michigan by a public school teacher and small business owner, Jessica got her first job at age 13. She went on to become a Division One rower at Michigan State University, picking up shifts in the school cafeteria and local restaurants when she wasn't at practice or studying. After graduating from American University Washington College of Law, Jessica worked as an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, making sure veterans got the benefits they were promised by cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse. Jessica waited tables on nights and weekends to pay down her student loans and mortgage. In 2007, Jessica married her husband, Jamie, a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. They moved back to West Michigan to be close to family and raise their daughter. She continued her work for the VA in Battle Creek before taking a job at Western Michigan University, where she specialized in free speech cases and served as Deputy General Counsel. In 2018, Jessica worked hard to ban both parties from partisan gerrymandering with the nonpartisan organization Voters Not Politicians. She's also a girl scout troop leader and spends her Sundays at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish Church.

Website

MI CD-5

Libbi Urban

Libbi Urban, retired steel mill electrician and United Steelworkers union member, running for Congress in Michigan's 5th District. Former union VP with skills to deliver vital changes. Committed to uplifting families and securing our nation's future.

Elect Libbi Urban Website

Michigan House of Representatives

House District 40

Matt Longjohn

Dr. Longjohn is a fifth-generation resident of Kalamazoo, running for Michigan's 40th House District. Matt is a nationally recognized public health leader with 25+ years of experience. He is running for State Representative to improve the health and quality of life of all Michiganders.

Learn more about Matt!

House District 41

Julie Rogers

State Representative Julie Rogers is seeking re-election for a third term, now representing the 41st House District, which includes portions of the City of Kalamazoo, City of Portage, Kalamazoo Township and Comstock. She proudly serves as the House Health Policy Chair and prioritizes policies that will improve access to affordable healthcare. She is a practicing physical therapist and also was appointed as an Arts and Culture Legislative Caucus Co-chair and Biosciences Legislative Caucus Co-chair.

Webiste

House District 42

Austin Marsman

Austin Marsman is the guy who shows up. From his school board service, to a countywide broadband workgroup, to the state capitol steps, Austin has been steadfast in his commitment to the people. In Lansing, Austin will put the people and communities of the 42nd House District first.

Learn more about Austin!

House District 45

Doug Murch

A 26-year resident of Marshall. Small business owner. Retired Jackson County Youth Center. Current President, Board of Directors, Kinderhaus Montessori School. Vice President, Marshall District Library Board. Marshall Zoning Board of Appeals. Board Chair, Jackson County Employee Retirement System.

Doug Murch for House District 45

Kalamazoo County

9th Circuit Court Judge (New Judgeship)

Christine Morse

No bio provided.

Probate Court Judge

Judge Curtis Bell

No bio provided.

Sheriff

Richard Fuller

No bio provided.

Prosecuting Attorney

Jeff Getting

No bio provided.

County Clerk

Meredith Place

Meredith Place is serving in her first term as the Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds. As the official “keeper of the record,” the County Clerk/ Register is responsible for receipt and safeguarding of public records as well as serving as the Chief Election Official of the County.

meredithplace.com

Treasurer

Thomas Whitener

As the Treasurer of Kalamazoo County, Thomas Whitener is committed to making sure everyone has a place to live and the opportunity to keep it. As treasurer, Thomas will continue to ensure the hard-earned tax dollars of the county are kept safe and grown responsibly to benefit our local community.

Support Thomas Whitener for County Treasurer!

Drain Commissioner

Jason Wiersma

No bio provided.

Surveyor

Gary Hahn

No bio provided.

County Commission District 1

Tami Rey

No bio provided.

County Commission District 2

Jen Strebs

Jen is an effective, progressive leader - fighting for equity for all of us. In office, she leads in areas like affordable housing, opioid response, climate crisis, gun violence reduction, and reproductive freedom. She is not afraid to find partners and solutions to tough problems.

Learn More

County Commission District 3

Monteze Morales

No bio provided.

County Commission District 4

Abby Wheeler

No bio provided.

County Commission District 5

John Taylor

No bio provided.

County Commission District 7

Andy Davis

No bio provided.

County Commission District 8

Matt Miller

No bio provided.

County Commission District 9

Dale DeLeeuw

Currently serving as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner. I believe the current board of commissioners has accomplished so much in a relatively short period of time and I would like to continue the progress. I have lived in Kalamazoo county my entire life and am dedicated to the community.

Friends to Elect Dale DeLeeuw

KVCC Trustee

Kathy Purnell

I am currently a Trustee of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Educational opportunity transforms lives and communities. I will work tirelessly to ensure KVCC remains affordable, accessible, equitable and student focused for lifelong learning and post graduation success.

Website

Brady Township

Township Clerk

Melissa Wood

No bio provided.

Comstock Township

Township Supervisor

Randy Thompson

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Michelle Serlin

Michelle Serlin - Founder, owner and clinical Social Worker at Choices for Change for 33 years; served as president of a dozen organizations; organized for six ballot proposals; former neighborhood director; has won two dozen local, state and national awards for leadership/advocacy.

Donate to Michelle!

Township Trustee

Jason Knight

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Robert Pratt

No bio provided.

Cooper Township

Township Trustee

Cristine Wiles

I am a lifelong resident of Southwest Michigan. My public school teaching career and service as my local MEA affiliate's President will bring broader experience, representation and perspective to the Cooper Township Board and Cooper Township residents.

Elect Cristine Wiles for Cooper Twp Trustee

Kalamazoo Township

Township Supervisor

David Combs

David is running to bring a new generation of leadership to Kalamazoo Township.

Support David for Kalamazoo Township Supervisor!

Township Clerk

Lisa Mackie

No bio provided.

Township Treasurer

Sherine Miller

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Ashley Glass

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Clara Robinson

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Colleen Leonard

Colleen is running for trustee to bring a new era of leadership for the township. She believes that a transparent and acessible local government is necessary to bring real impactful change to the citizens.

Colleen Leonard for Kalamazoo Township Trustee

Township Trustee

Craig Sherwood

I am a dad, husband, environmental consultant, and avid outdoorsman. I come from a rural Michigan upbringing but have lived in both large and small urban settings. I care deeply about my community and believe when it is healthy and vibrant, it is one of the most valuable assets we have.

See Craig Run

Oshtemo Township

Township Supervisor

Cheri Bell

As a lifelong resident of Oshtemo, experience, principles and future vision guide me. Maintaining balance in governance and solution-oriented problem solving that inform growth is my priority. I believe that seeking resident and stakeholder input are key elements to creating successful communities.

Support Cheri Bell for Oshtemo Supervisor

Township Clerk

Dusty Farmer

As the Oshtemo Township Clerk for the last eight years, I am committed to expanding voter rights, hiring Trained and certified election workers, and setting up each voter for success.

Support Dusty in her re-election

Township Treasurer

Clare Buszka

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Michael Chapman

I'm a single father of two committed making the world better for my kids through service to my community. Be it federal or state service through the Air National Guard or locally as an Oshtemo Township Trustee, everything I do is with service and my kids in mind.

Township Trustee

Kristin Cole

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Zak Ford

No bio provided.

Township Trustee

Neil Sikora

No bio provided.

Texas Township

Supervisor

JoAnne O'Rourke

I am collaborative, deliberate, honest, and an effective communicator who values input from all stakeholders. I am a problem-solver and negotiator committed to finding solutions that work for all. I have held senior roles developing projects of national scope in Washington DC and at the University of Michigan, including complex budget development, work scope and budget negotiations, managing subcontractors and large staffs, and ensuring contract terms were met or exceeded. In addition to my formal education, I have two years executive leadership training. As president of the Colony Woods Neighborhood Association, my extreme frustration with current leadership as I worked tirelessly to help my neighbors recover from the May 7 tornadoes led me to see office.

Website

Township Trustee

Barb Hammon

Life long SW Michigan resident. Current Texas Township trustee. Retired RN. 20 year member of KCDP. Mother of 3 grandmother of 4

Township Trustee

Dennis Smith

A former teacher and Lutheran pastor, I am now a retired Texas Twp resident for 4 years and desire to serve my community with my knowledge and experience in community service for over 40 years. I am married 55 years to Paula who is very active with the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party.

Kalamazoo Public Schools

Board Trustee - Full Term

Todd Ellis

I'm a former Science and Education professor with over 25 years of experience helping support new and long-time teachers.

My campaign website and blog

Board Trustee - Full Term

Nate Anderson

No bio provided.

Board Trustee - Full Term

Yvonne Payton

No bio provided.

Board Trustee - Partial Term

Carol McGlinn

No bio provided.

Board Trustee - Partial Term

Jay'Don Kelley

No bio provided.

Portage Public Schools

Board Trustee - Full Term

Bo Snyder, Mary Lou Rohwer, Mark Stevenson, and Terri Novaria

See our web page.

4 for Portage School Board

Vicksburg Community Schools

Board Trustee

Michele O'Neill

No bio provided.

Board Trustee

Elizabeth Castleberry

No bio provided.

Kalamazoo Library Board

Board Trustee

Brenda Hughes and Jannie Williams

No bio provided.

Endorsed by the Michigan Democratic Party, recognized by the KCDP for Michigan Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice

Kyra Harris-Bolden

No bio provided.

Supreme Court Justice

Kimberly Thomas

No bio provided.