WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced our slate of candidates running in target races across Michigan and an additional $500k investment to defend the Democratic trifecta. These thirteen Spotlight candidates provide strong opportunities to defend and build upon the Democratic majority power in Michigan.
The Spotlight candidates unveiled today are:
- Rep. Matt Koleszar (HD-22) is a former teacher running for reelection to the Michigan House. Matt’s time in office has been spent advocating for policies like free breakfast and lunch for K-12 public school students, a tax holiday for back-to-school shopping, and incentives to retain talented teachers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt started a downtown business coalition to support small businesses in his community and give them a direct link to elevate their concerns to the Governor and state lawmakers.
- Rep. Jaime Churches (HD-27) is an elementary school teacher running for reelection to the Michigan House in a race that could decide control of the chamber. Jaime is honored to represent the community where she grew up, and if she wins reelection, she will continue to prioritize Michigan’s working families. During her time in the State House, Jaime has helped pass common-sense gun safety legislation, bolstered workers’ rights, funded vital infrastructure projects, and expanded tax credits for families and seniors.
- Janise O’Neil Robinson (HD-28) is a teacher and disability advocate running for the Michigan House with a chance to flip her district blue. Janise has spent nearly 30 years teaching special education in Michigan’s public school system, where she has been a fierce advocate for students, teachers, and their families. If elected, Janise will fight to make a world-class education available to all. She is also committed to advancing the rights of workers, defending the environment, investing in critical improvements to state infrastructure, and protecting reproductive freedoms.
- Rep. Reggie Miller (HD-31) serves District 31 in the Michigan House and is running for reelection this November. Reggie was raised by a single mother on a shoestring budget, and today, she’s committed to giving Michigan working families the support they need to thrive. As a member of the House, Reggie has stood up for workers’ rights, expanded tax credits for families and veterans, and helped protect vulnerable youth by banning conversion therapy and child marriage.
- Rep. Mai Xiong (HD-13) came to the U.S. as a Hmong refugee whose family fled Laos after the Vietnam War. Now she’s running for reelection to the Michigan House, vying for the seat she won earlier this year in a landslide special election. Mai is excited to continue throwing her efforts behind the wave of progress being made in the Great Lake State on issues including workers’ rights, public safety, affordable health care, and protecting reproductive freedom.
- Rep. Joey Andrews (HD-38) is a legal professional and a fourth-generation small business owner. He’s running for reelection to the Michigan House. After finishing law school, Joey returned home to Southwestern Michigan to help his parents guide the family business through the Great Recession and saw how many of his friends and neighbors were struggling too. This experience solidified his commitment to Michigan working families, paving the way for him to champion legislation on issues including labor rights, eliminating income-based housing discrimination, government accountability & transparency, environmental conservation, and protecting Michigan youth by banning child marriages.
- Rep. Jim Haadsma (HD-44) is a legal professional running for reelection to the Michigan House. Throughout his career, Jim has focused on labor relations and disability justice and has spent nearly four decades fighting to ensure working families are treated fairly. He brings this same mindset to the legislature, where he leads the way on legislation to expand discrimination protections to include LGBTQ+ Michiganders, protect workers, and preserve natural resources.
- Daniel Mahoney (HD-46) is a non-profit leader running for the Michigan House. Daniel was elected Jackson, Michigan’s first African-American mayor in 2021 with a vision for a safe community, robust local economy, and a welcoming attitude towards all. Now, he’s ready to expand that vision to all Michiganders by flipping his district and providing progressive, empathetic, and innovative representation for his constituents.
- Shadia Martini (HD-54) is a small business owner and entrepreneur running to flip a seat in the Michigan House. Shadia immigrated to the United States from Syria in 1992, fleeing authoritarian violence. She understands the importance of a robust democratic process and will fight any attempts to erode voting rights and public trust in fair elections. With 20+ years of firsthand experience as a business owner, she will be an advocate for economic growth and policies that benefit working families.
- Rep. Nate Shannon (HD-58) is a former teacher running for reelection to the Michigan House. Nate first decided to run for office to ensure all Michiganders have access to high-quality public schools, and since then, he’s helped pass key legislation to achieve that goal. Improving schools is still a top priority for Nate, along with funding first responders, expanding access to health care, revitalizing infrastructure, and protecting the environment.
- Rep. Denise Mentzer (HD-61) is a Michigan native and former City Commissioner running for reelection to the Michigan House. During her ten years on the Mount Clemens City Commission, Denise gained valuable public service experience. This experience has made her a vital member of the State House’s Democratic majority, where she helped repeal Michigan’s antiquated abortion ban.
- Rep. Betsy Coffia (HD-103) is a former social worker running for reelection to the Michigan House. As a brain tumor survivor, Betsy is acutely aware that many working families are just one emergency situation away from financial ruin. A desire to bring down the cost of health care and build an economy that works for all Michiganders is part of what drove her to flip her rural district blue in 2022, and it continues to motivate her work in the state legislature.
- Rep. Jenn Hill (HD-109) first ran for public office to be a strong voice in Lansing for the Upper Peninsula, and plans to continue fighting to preserve the environment, create economic opportunity, and ensure rural communities have access to high-quality schools and health care. Jenn’s background in environmental planning & policy has helped advance initiatives to promote renewable energy and anti-pollution efforts. If re-elected, she will continue to protect workers’ rights and invest in public schools.
These thirteen candidates join over 180 state legislative candidates in our Spotlight program who are running across the country to build Democratic power and counter MAGA control of state legislatures. Today’s $500k investment to Michigan builds on the over $1.2 million we’ve delivered to the state in the 2023-24 cycle so far. This new investment will help candidates continue to hire staff to knock doors, support voter contact, build strong digital operations, and more.
Defending our majority in the Michigan House this November is critical to maintaining our Democratic trifecta in the state. The new Democratic trifecta in Michigan had a banner year of accomplishments in 2023, passing significant legislation such as passing a red flag law, requiring safe storage of firearms, eliminating asset tests for food aid, and expanding access to Medicaid. This year, Democrats have filed to run in all 110 House districts across Michigan, building momentum and ensuring we have the candidates needed to mount strong campaigns. As Republicans across the country pursue a MAGA agenda and seek to ban abortion, Michigan Democrats are focused on helping families and securing fundamental freedoms.
DLCC Board Member and Michigan Speaker of the House Joe Tate issued the following statement:
“The passionate, dedicated Democratic candidates running for the Michigan House embody the vision, values, and commitment to freedom that will continue to move Michigan forward. As Speaker, I know firsthand that our incredible candidates are already on the doors with voters talking about the work of the Democratic trifecta that has protected reproductive freedom, expanded health care access, and shielded Michiganders from gun violence. I’m confident these are the leaders who are ready to serve with integrity and will be strong voices for opportunity in Lansing. The stakes are high, but we have the best candidates possible to ensure Democrats maintain our trifecta in Michigan.”
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Defending the Democratic trifecta in Michigan is a priority for the DLCC to protect the incredible progress made under Democratic majorities. Michigan Democrats in the statehouse passed common sense gun safety legislation, improved access to Medicaid, and protected fundamental reproductive freedoms, demonstrating the transformative impact of Democratic power in the states. Preserving this trifecta could hinge on just a single seat in the state House, which will determine the future of fundamental freedoms for Michiganders.
“The DLCC is proud to uplift these thirteen Spotlight candidates who represent the best opportunities to hold and flip seats to protect Democratic power. By supporting these candidates, the DLCC is working to ensure that Michigan remains a leader in upholding fundamental freedoms and democracy.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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