Every time I open the news lately, it seems like there’s another great story coming out of Michigan. In recent months, voters there not only enshrined the right to abortion into the state constitution, they also flipped the state legislature to the Democrats and reelected their very competent and hardworking governor, Gretchen Whitmer, giving the Democrats an amazing trifecta of power that can now get serious business done.
Check out NM!! We’ve got a Dem trifecta too and our state lege is currently knocking ‘em outta the park! Which our guv will cheer and sign! (Helps to have women governors!) We’ve been doing this good work longer than MI!!
I don't just like this post, I love it! It is extremely heartening to see one or more of the northern tier states wrest back power from the right wingers. I live in Maine and we have done the same in the past few years, re-electing our Democratic governor, holding the line on abortion rights, keeping the state house, and other important gains. I know we have one anti-trans law under consideration right now and I am making fighting such laws my primary focus, doing my best to educate others in my sphere about trans rights, as well as all LGBTQ+ issues. People near and dear to me could be hurt by such laws. Thank you for your recent column on this issue!
Support the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee)
"The system is broken. The fight to fix it is now.
There’s no other way to put it: Republicans are engaging in an unprecedented effort to undermine free and fair elections. It’s wrong—and we’re going to stop them."
Eric Holder and Barack Obama
This organization fought gerrymandering in the Courts. They are making a difference.
A totally inspiring story. Notice that such state-centered races have now become national; state laws favoring Democratic values are a bulwark against the push for authoritarianism. The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a perfect example. Contributing to the campaigns of Democratic candidates in states that might otherwise elect Republicans are now our business. Contribute money, contribute time to all of those candidates. John Tester of Montana is a notable case. Michigan is a glowing example of how important its wins are nationally.
I can't recommend strongly enough supporting both the States Project and Sister District, the twin organizational engines behind these state legislative wins. The States Project has been focussing EXCLUSIVELY on raising money for state legislative races since they started in 2017. Sister District does fundraising for the same, but their focus is also on recruiting (mostly out of state) volunteers to help win state legislative races in swing states by phonebanking, postcarding, and helping to raise money for candidates. There is literally no way we would have achieved our wins in Michigan, Minnesota, or Pennsylvania without these two organizations. Please give to them if you can--they will literally save our democracy one state at a time. https://statesproject.org/ and https://sisterdistrict.com/
I am planning to call this out in my (much less thoughtful) Substack tomorrow as well and will add your post to my digest. It's such a nice counterpoint to Florida. What can we do to get DeSantis-level coverage for Whitmer?
What a terrific story! Sadly, neighboring Wisconsin (my state), despite holding a small Dem majority on statewide ballots, remains totally gerrymandered by the Republicans and will continue so for the foreseeable future. We lack the ability to have ballot initiatives. Without that, and given the stranglehold of money-driven politics, we seem to be doomed. So, nationally we must overturn Citizens United and have some muscular campaign finance reform at all levels. Then all states could have government that listens to citizens.
Gerrymandering is one of the great evils of our time. It's nothing new, going back to the rotten boroughs of old and beyond, but it's about time census data, which is unbiased and unpolitical, was used to determine voting districts, to ensure every vote is as equal as possible.
From great leadership come great things. And great leadership is elected by great people. This is the Michigan I saw in the future and believed in as a child and young woman but sadly had to leave at the behest of the US Navy. Congrats Michiganders!! PS: Please don’t forget the people in Flint and other disenfranchised areas-there is still good work to be done!
Check out NM!! We’ve got a Dem trifecta too and our state lege is currently knocking ‘em outta the park! Which our guv will cheer and sign! (Helps to have women governors!) We’ve been doing this good work longer than MI!!
I don't just like this post, I love it! It is extremely heartening to see one or more of the northern tier states wrest back power from the right wingers. I live in Maine and we have done the same in the past few years, re-electing our Democratic governor, holding the line on abortion rights, keeping the state house, and other important gains. I know we have one anti-trans law under consideration right now and I am making fighting such laws my primary focus, doing my best to educate others in my sphere about trans rights, as well as all LGBTQ+ issues. People near and dear to me could be hurt by such laws. Thank you for your recent column on this issue!
In a world full of Florida’s and Tennessee’s and Texas’s be a Michigan for real👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 talk about progress
Support the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee)
"The system is broken. The fight to fix it is now.
There’s no other way to put it: Republicans are engaging in an unprecedented effort to undermine free and fair elections. It’s wrong—and we’re going to stop them."
Eric Holder and Barack Obama
This organization fought gerrymandering in the Courts. They are making a difference.
As a Michigander, I couldn't be more proud, and any plans to move to Florida are permanently off the table.
A totally inspiring story. Notice that such state-centered races have now become national; state laws favoring Democratic values are a bulwark against the push for authoritarianism. The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a perfect example. Contributing to the campaigns of Democratic candidates in states that might otherwise elect Republicans are now our business. Contribute money, contribute time to all of those candidates. John Tester of Montana is a notable case. Michigan is a glowing example of how important its wins are nationally.
I can't recommend strongly enough supporting both the States Project and Sister District, the twin organizational engines behind these state legislative wins. The States Project has been focussing EXCLUSIVELY on raising money for state legislative races since they started in 2017. Sister District does fundraising for the same, but their focus is also on recruiting (mostly out of state) volunteers to help win state legislative races in swing states by phonebanking, postcarding, and helping to raise money for candidates. There is literally no way we would have achieved our wins in Michigan, Minnesota, or Pennsylvania without these two organizations. Please give to them if you can--they will literally save our democracy one state at a time. https://statesproject.org/ and https://sisterdistrict.com/
I am planning to call this out in my (much less thoughtful) Substack tomorrow as well and will add your post to my digest. It's such a nice counterpoint to Florida. What can we do to get DeSantis-level coverage for Whitmer?
What a terrific story! Sadly, neighboring Wisconsin (my state), despite holding a small Dem majority on statewide ballots, remains totally gerrymandered by the Republicans and will continue so for the foreseeable future. We lack the ability to have ballot initiatives. Without that, and given the stranglehold of money-driven politics, we seem to be doomed. So, nationally we must overturn Citizens United and have some muscular campaign finance reform at all levels. Then all states could have government that listens to citizens.
Today, I am proud to be a Michigander and ally to LGBTQ+ fellow residents!
We had been considering moving south to get away from the weather. After seeing what is going on in other states the political scene is better here.
Proud to be a Michigander right now. Now how do we battle gerrymandering in other states? Especially those already R controlled?
Gerrymandering is one of the great evils of our time. It's nothing new, going back to the rotten boroughs of old and beyond, but it's about time census data, which is unbiased and unpolitical, was used to determine voting districts, to ensure every vote is as equal as possible.
I am so grateful for your positivity with posts like this one.
From great leadership come great things. And great leadership is elected by great people. This is the Michigan I saw in the future and believed in as a child and young woman but sadly had to leave at the behest of the US Navy. Congrats Michiganders!! PS: Please don’t forget the people in Flint and other disenfranchised areas-there is still good work to be done!
It's encouraging to read some great news this morning. Go, Michigan!