LANSING — Today, the Michigan Democratic Party launched a statewide campaign to recruit thousands of Democrats to run for local office. This is part of a national campaign by Contest Every Race to help ensure that no Republican goes unchallenged up or down the ballot.
What we know is that having more Democrats running locally boosts Democratic turnout and enthusiasm. This program is part of an effort between the Michigan Dems and Contest Every Race to help ensure Michigan turns out for President Biden and flips seats down the ballot.
The 2024 candidate recruitment program is targeting 6,516 local offices, including county commissioners, city council members, school board members, and other local office holders across 83 targeted counties to hopefully get at least 350 new Democrats to file for office by the April 23rd deadline.
“The best way to fight for Michiganders is to make sure we are competing in every race across this state and holding MAGA Republicans accountable at every turn,” said Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes in response to the campaign launch. “Local elections are often the most impactful in people’s lives, and, along with Contest Every Race, we are working to protect what matters most to Michiganders. From defending our democracy to protecting abortion rights to growing the middle class, getting more Democrats competing for every local office is a vital step toward moving our state forward.”
“2024 is our fourth year working with the Michigan Democratic Party and their county parties,” added Contest Every Race Director Lauren Gepford. “We’re thrilled to launch another massive effort to recruit and elect local candidates in non-metro areas and prove that supporting local campaigns and party infrastructure helps Democrats all the way up the ballot – to re-elect President Biden.”
The program utilizes text messages, coaching calls, and in-person organizing meetings to identify and mobilize Dem to run for local office, focusing on geographic areas where a high percentage of Republicans go uncontested – outside of major urban areas.
Since its inception in 2018, the Contest Every Race project has recruited over 7,000 Democrats to run for local office across the country.
Contact tkubitschek@michigandems.com to reach out to the Michigan Democratic Party, and daniel@movementlabs.com to speak with leaders of Contest Every Race.
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Contest Every Race, a project of Movement Labs, recruits Democrats to run in otherwise uncontested local races and operates a national rural organizing support program to net votes for Democrats in the 2024 election.
