National group endorses robust slate eligible for up to $400,000 staff investment as part of effort to rally Democrats to vote
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2022
CHICAGO–Progressive Turnout Project is proud to announce the endorsement of 108 state legislative candidates across Michigan. These candidates are essential to gaining Democratic seats, flipping control of the State House and State Senate, and supporting Governor Whitmer as she stands up against Republicans’ extreme agenda for the state.
These endorsed candidates will be eligible to participate in PTP’s Campaign Fellows Program, which will bring an investment of up to $400,000 to selected Michigan candidates by directly supporting campaigns with a paid staff member dedicated to voter contact. Adding just one full-time staff member can make all the difference, especially in state legislative races, which typically see less attention.
State Representatives Darrin Camilleri and Sarah Anthony serve as members of PTP’s Fellows Advisory Board, with Camilleri serving as the group’s Chair.
“By investing in state legislative races, Progressive Turnout Project is investing not just in individual candidates, but in the future of our democracy,” said Camilleri. “When I won my first election by just 300 votes, I saw firsthand that skilled and dedicated organizers are one of the most valuable resources a campaign can have. Every single Turnout Fellow working on a legislative race will make an impact in the fight to defend our democracy.”
“Local perspectives matter, and Progressive Turnout Project has had the foresight to integrate the local perspective into this expanded Fellows Program,” added Anthony. “It’s smart. It’s strategic. And I’m confident it will have a positive impact on Democratic state legislative campaigns throughout the country.”
This kind of direct voter contact is how elections are won—and PTP is thrilled to offer this level of support to our Michigan Democrats.
“The Progressive Turnout Project is an essential partner as we fight for the majority in November,” said House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski. “We know Michigan families are ready for a State House that fights for their values, protects reproductive freedom, and ensures clean water and economic security for all. Our focus has to be on turnout – educating voters about what’s at stake for all of us this November and the incredible opportunity we have this year to flip the House for the first time in a decade. We are confident we can win as long as every voter shows up to make their voice heard.”
“A Democratic majority in the Michigan Senate is within reach for the first time in nearly 40 years,” added Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich. “We’re excited to have Progressive Turnout Project providing on-the-ground support to turn out Democratic voters this fall. We’ll have PTP fellows across the state knocking on doors and making sure we win the tough majority-making seats.”
Progressive Turnout Project is investing over $5 million to elect Democrats in state legislatures across the country to combat Republican attempts at undermining the future of our communities.
PTP’s full list of endorsements is included below and can be found on its website:
State Senate Candidates:
- Erika Geiss (SD-01)
- Sylvia Santana (SD-02)
- Stephanie Chang (SD-03)
- Darrin Camilleri (SD-04)
- Dayna Polehanki (SD-05)
- Mary Cavanagh (SD-06)
- Jeremy Moss (SD-07)
- Mallory McMorrow (SD-08)
- Padma Kuppa (SD-09)
- Paul Wojno (SD-10)
- Veronica Kleinfelt (SD-11)
- Kevin Hertel (SD-12)
- Rosemary Bayer (SD-13)
- Sue Shink (SD-14)
- Jeff Irwin (SD-15)
- Katybeth Davis (SD-16)
- Kai Degraff (SD-18)
- Sean McCann (SD-19)
- Kim Jorgensen Gane (SD-20)
- Sarah Anthony (SD-21)
- Jordan Genso (SD-22)
- Una Hepburn (SD-23)
- Theresa Fougnie (SD-24)
- Bert Van Dyke (SD-25)
- John Cherry (SD-27)
- Sam Singh (SD-28)
- Winnie Brinks (SD-29)
- David LaGrand (SD-30)
- Kim Nagy (SD-31)
- Terry Sabo (SD-32)
- Mark Bignell (SD-33)
- Kristen McDonald Rivet (SD-35)
- Joel Sheltrown (SD-36)
- John Braamse (SD-38)
State House Candidates:
- Tyrone Carter (HD-01)
- Tullio Liberati (HD-02)
- Natalie Price (HD-05)
- Mike McFall (HD-08)
- Abraham Aiyash (HD-09)
- Lori Stone (HD-13)
- Donovan McKinney (HD-14)
- Erin Byrnes (HD-15)
- Stephanie Young (HD-16)
- Laurie Pohutsky (HD-17)
- Jason Hoskins (HD-18)
- Samantha Steckleoff (HD-19)
- Kelly Breen (HD-21)
- Matt Koleszar (HD-22)
- Jason Morgan (HD-23)
- Ranjeev Puri (HD-24)
- Kevin Coleman (HD-25)
- Dylan Wegela (HD-26)
- Jamie Churches (HD-27)
- Rob Kull (HD-28)
- Alex Garza (HD-29)
- Reggie Miller (HD-31)
- Felicia Brabec (HD-33)
- Joey Andrews (HD-38)
- Jared Polonowki (HD-39)
- Christine Morse (HD-40)
- Julie Rogers (HD-41)
- Justin Mendoza (HD-42)
- Jim Haadsma (HD-44)
- Maurice Imhoff (HD-46)
- Carrie Rheingans (HD-47)
- Jennifer Conlin (HD-48)
- Christina Kafkakis (HD-49)
- Glen Miller (HD-50)
- Sarah May-Seward (HD-51)
- Robin McGregor (HD-52)
- Brenda Carter (HD-53)
- Shadia Martini (HD-54)
- Sharon MacDonell (HD-56)
- Nate Shannon (HD-58)
- Linda Rose Clor (HD-60)
- Denise Mentzer (HD-61)
- Michael Brooks (HD-62)
- Kelly Noland (HD-63)
- Mark Lingeman (HD-65)
- Emily Busch (HD-66)
- Jasper Martus (HD-69)
- Cynthia Neeley (HD-70)
- Mark Zacharda (HD-71)
- Julie Brixie (HD-73)
- Kara Hope (HD-74)
- Penelope Tsernoglou (HD-75)
- Angela Witwer (HD-76)
- Kimberly Kennedy Barringon (HD-79)
- Phil Skaags (HD-80)
- Rachel Hood (HD-81)
- Kristian Grant (HD-82)
- John Fitzgerald (HD-83)
- Carol Glanville (HD-84)
- Larry Jackson (HD-86)
- William Snyder (HD-87)
- Christine Baker (HD-88)
- Anthony Feig (HD-92)
- Amos O’Neal (HD-94)
- Matthew Dawson (HD-95)
- Kim Coonan (HD-96)
- Betsy Coffia (HD-103)
- Cathy Albro (HD-104)
- Marie Fielder (HD-106)
- Jodi Decker (HD-107)
- Chris Lopez (HD-108)
- Jenn Hill (HD-109)
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Progressive Turnout Project is the largest voter contact organization in the country, specifically dedicated to mobilizing the Democratic Party and defending democracy. Our mission: Rally Democrats to Vote. Since 2015, our trained field staff, fellows, and volunteers have made more than 59 million voter contact attempts across 39 states. PTP is grassroots funded, with more than 2.3 million unique donors and an average contribution of $19.13.
