Candidate (Non-Partisan) answers to our questions!
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| Office | Candidate Response | Candidate Website | Email Address | What are 2-3 major values of the Democratic Party that mean the most to you? Please give a couple of examples of how you practice them. | Why are you the best candidate for the position you seek? | If you're a current officeholder, how have you used your office to benefit your constituents? If you are seeking office for the first time, how do you plan to serve your constituents? | Please tell us how you've been involved in the WCDP or Washtenaw County in non-election years. | Please tell us how you've mentored others, with specific examples. | Why are you seeking the endorsement of the WCDP? | In what ways do you personally engage with, and contribute to, your community (faith-based involvement is welcome, but please include other civic activities that showcase your community involvement)? | Please discuss your history of supporting Democratic candidates and causes. | Have you ever been accused or convicted of any wrongdoing or character-related issues that either HAVE or COULD in the future cast a shadow over your campaign, your office (if elected), or the WCDP? If so, please describe below. |
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| 3rd District Court of Appeals Judge | Daniel S. Korobkin | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | daniel.korobkin@gmail.com | As a current judge, I must remain nonpartisan, so I cannot answer this question about the Democratic Party in particular. The values I bring to the bench are nonpartisan but, I hope, important to all of us. First, respect, empathy, and open-mindedness for all those who appear before me. Second, applying the law fairly and impartially. And third, protecting the rule of law and the integrity of our democratic system of government. | I believe strongly that equal justice under the law is a democratic value that unites us all. That means the courthouse doors must be open to everyone -- both literally and figuratively -- and that everyone involved in our legal system must get a fair shake, an opportunity to make their case, and access to quality representation. Based on my personal values, professional background, and integrity, I will never waiver from these commitments. | As a current judge, I have done my best to deliver high-quality service to the public. I work tirelessly to ensure that my rulings are firmly grounded in the law and clearly explained to the parties. I also serve the legal community and support access to justice efforts throughout the state. | As a current judge, I must remain nonpartisan with regard to political parties. In Washtenaw County, I am a member of the Washtenaw County Bar Association and delivered the keynote address at their bench-bar conference this year. | I taught classes at the University of Michigan Law School and Wayne State University Law School for over ten years. These classes were seminars, enabing me to work one-on-one with law students who were interested in careers in public service and civil rights. I also frequently volunteer to attend networking opportunities for college and law students, encourging them to explore public-interest career paths. More recently, I have volunteered to speak with lawyers who are interested in becoming judges so that they can learn about my path to the bench. | I believe it is important for all voters to fill out the nonpartisan section of the ballot. As a proud resident of Washtenaw County, I want to make sure all voters know who I am as an elected Court of Appeals judge from our district. | Prior to becoming a judge, I was a founding member of Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw (CREW), a grassroots organization dedicated to confronting racial inequality in our criminal justice system. I was also a volunteer lawyer during major elections to protect the right to vote. | As a current judge, I must remain nonpartisan with regard to political parties and candidates. | No |
| 22nd Circuit Judge of Circuit Court | Patrick J Conlin Jr | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | conlinp@ewashtenaw.org | Fairness and access to justice are two concepts I try to bring to the bench each day. Parties can get hearings before me and are treated with dignity and respect. After the hearing parties will not have to wait long for decisions to issue. | My experience and demeanor make me the best candidate. Plus I am running unopposed... | I have worked to ensure due process and the rule of law have been available to all parties in the Court. | I ahve attended various functions such as picnics and meetings. | I work with newer colleagues to make sure they begin their judicial career with insight as to being a good judge. | It is a group that I value and advances my values in local government. | I serve on several non-profit boards. | I can only publicly endorse judicial candidates, who run on the non-partisan ballot. | no |
| 22nd Circuit Judge of Circuit Court | Tracy E. Van den Bergh | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | tracyvandenbergh@gmail.com | Fairness, justice and equality for all. I have enacted numerous policies at the court to assist marginalized and suffering members of our community to life them up rather than count them out. Not writing off parents suffering from substance abuse but instead giving them the tools to succeed and reunite with their children. Making sure to level the playing field for those who are unrepresented, and that they have a voice in the courtroom. | While I do not have an opponent, I believe my demonstrated success in bringing additional services to the community makes me the best candidate for this position. | I started (and preside over) the County's first Family Treatment Court, which provides therapeutic, trauma-informed, culturally responsive treatment to children and families.I led the installation of Narcan vending machines in the courthouse, providing free Narcan and xylazine tests strips, and organized overdose response training for courthouse staff.My Court was selected as one of only 11 nationwide by NCJFCJ to participate in its Implementation Sites Project, an initiative to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children and their families. I started a courthouse pop-up food pantry that continues today through donations from staff and attorneys. I created a specialized adoption docket to help children achieve permanency more quickly by streamlining the adoption process. I brought a groundbreaking art exhibit to the Court featuring more than 100 artists, advocates and community leaders exploring the impact of the criminal legal system on youth, adults and families. | I continue to support Democratic candidates by door knocking, canvassing and giving campaign advice. | I have mentored dozens of law students in the Court to become competent attorneys with a focus on public service. Through these mentorships they learn not just the law but about implicit bias, the systemic inability of individuals--especially low- and middle-income families--to secure legal representation, navigate court complexities and resolve civil disputes, and the importance of making the system accessible for everyone. My hope is they leave their internship dedicated to ensuring that the court system is an equitable tool for justice. | I am a lifelong Democrat, and the party represent my values. I think it is important for people to know that even if the position is non-partisan. | I am involved in multiple organizations and projects. Currently working to bring CASA back to Washtenaw County. I am a member of the Casey Family Foundation national judicial collaborative working to improve dependency court practices and safely reduce the number of children in foster care. I regularly host interns in my court, high school students to law students, to teach them about the importance of our judicial system. I regularly teach at legal trainings to advance the practice of law. I regularly speak on panels of different organizations to answer question about the Court. | I have a long history of canvassing and supporting a wide variety of Democratic candidates. I have knocked thousands of doors, dropped lit and made donations. | NO |
| 14A District Court Judge | Anna Maria Frushour | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | anna.frushour@gmail.com | The values that resonate most with me are equal justice, opportunity, and service to the community.Equal justice has guided my entire legal career. Whether representing indigent defendants, serving in treatment courts, or now presiding as a judge, I have worked to ensure that every individual is treated with dignity and that justice is not dependent on wealth, background, or circumstance.I also value the belief that strong communities are built by investing in people. My years working in various treatment courts demonstrated that accountability and rehabilitation are not competing principles—they often work together to improve public safety and strengthen families.Finally, I believe public service is a responsibility. Throughout my career I have served the legal profession and our community through leadership in local bar associations, volunteer work and board service in local non-profits, as well as my appointment to the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board. | I bring experience, leadership, and a proven record of strengthening our courts. Since taking the bench, I have worked to ensure our court is fair, efficient, and responsive to the community.In 2020, I was selected as Chief Judge Pro Tem, and in 2024, I was appointed Chief Judge by the Michigan Supreme Court. Those roles reflect the confidence my colleagues and the judiciary have placed in my leadership.I created the 14A District Court's first treatment court, providing individuals with substance use disorders a path toward recovery while improving public safety. I also secured a grant to establish the court's first Self-Help Center, expanding access to justice by assisting self-represented litigants with civil matters.I also serve on the Michigan District Judges Association Board and as the judicial representative to the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section. | As Chief Judge, I have focused on making our court more accessible, responsive, and effective for the people we serve. In 2024, I established the 14A District Court's first treatment court, providing individuals with substance use disorders a structured path to recovery while improving public safety and reducing recidivism. Recognizing that many people navigate the legal system without an attorney, I also secured grant funding to create the court's first Self-Help Center. The center assists self-represented litigants with court forms and filing procedures, helping remove barriers to justice while preserving judicial neutrality. Every decision I make is guided by fairness, integrity, respect, and a commitment to ensuring that everyone who enters our courthouse has meaningful access to justice. | My commitment to Washtenaw County extends well beyond election years. I have remained actively involved in our community through service with Jewish Family Service, Food Gatherers, Avalon Housing, and the United Way Leaders Society. Professionally, I have served on the Board of the Washtenaw County Bar Association, as President of the Washtenaw County Women Lawyers Association, on the Michigan District Judges Association Board, and as the judicial representative to the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section. I have also supported Democratic candidates and the Washtenaw County Democratic Party over many years by hosting gatherings, attending events, and contributing in ways consistent with the ethical responsibilities of judicial office. Public service has always been central to my career, both on and off the bench. | Mentorship has been a defining part of my career because I believe the legal profession has a responsibility to prepare the next generation of lawyers and judges. In private practice, I mentored new attorneys as they developed courtroom skills, professional judgment, and client relationships. Since taking the bench, I have continued that commitment by mentoring judicial interns, emphasizing professionalism, ethics, and treating every person with dignity and respect. As Chief Judge, I encourage a collaborative courthouse culture where judges and staff support one another's professional growth. Some of my most meaningful mentoring occurs in treatment court, where I encourage participants as they work toward recovery, employment, family reunification, and long-term stability. Their success reinforces my belief that accountability and encouragement can work hand in hand. | I am seeking the endorsement of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party because my career has been dedicated to fairness, equal access to justice, public service, and respect for the rule of law. From representing indigent clients early in my career to creating the 14A District Court's first treatment court and establishing a Self-Help Center for self-represented litigants, I have worked to expand access to justice while protecting public safety and judicial independence. I have long supported Democratic candidates and causes, consistent with the ethical obligations of judicial office, and I value the Party's commitment to an independent judiciary and equal justice. I would be honored to earn the WCDP's endorsement and continue serving Washtenaw County with integrity, impartiality, and respect. | Community service has always been central to my career. Before and throughout my time on the bench, I have remained actively involved in organizations that strengthen Washtenaw County. I have served on the Board of Jewish Family Service, volunteered with Food Gatherers, participated on Avalon Housing's event planning committee, and been a member of United Way's Leaders Society. Professionally, I have served as President of the Washtenaw County Women Lawyers Association, on the Washtenaw County Bar Association Board, the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, the Michigan District Judges Association Board, and as the judicial representative to the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section. Through volunteer service, professional leadership, and my work on the bench, I have remained committed to making Washtenaw County a stronger, more compassionate, and more just community. | I have been a lifelong supporter of Democratic candidates and values while respecting the ethical responsibilities of judicial service. Before taking the bench, I worked on numerous local, countywide, and statewide Democratic campaigns, serving in roles that included fundraising, scheduling, field organizing, outreach, volunteering, hosting events, and contributing financially. Since becoming a judge, I have continued to support Democratic candidates and causes to the extent permitted by the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct, while preserving judicial independence and public confidence in the courts. I believe an independent judiciary, equal justice under the law, and meaningful access to justice are essential to a strong democracy, and I have worked throughout my career to advance those principles through public service and community leadership. | No |
| 14B District Judge; Ypsilanti Township | Erane C. Washington | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | EraneWashington@gmail.com | The three values that mean the most are fairness, inclusiveness, and understanding. I listen to those who come before me and hear their issues and make a fair determination rooted in law and fact. Everyone is treated equally and fairly daily. | My experience is unmatched and I spend every working day trying to make a difference for those who appear before me. | I am a fair, balance and a hard working jurist who wants to continue helping those in our community.become better humans and live in a safer environment. | I appear at some events, including annual dinners, special guest events and occasional meetings. | I routinely bring students in as interns through the court. Additionally, I provide advice to those seeking judicial elections on a routine basis. | Our values align. | I serve on the board for Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley currently and I am am member and the Ann Arbor Chapter of NANBPWC, Inc. I am also a life member of the NAACP. I also continue to speak at various events for organizations. | I cannot provide this in a public forum as judge’s cannot publicly endorse non-judicial candidates. However, I have endorsed judicial candidates. | No |
| 15th District Court Judge | Tamara Garwood | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | retaingarwood@gmail.com | I believe that everyone deserves equal access to justice and a fair opportunity to be heard, regardless of their background, income, race, disability, or life circumstances. Throughout my years as a Magistrate and now as a Judge, I have worked to ensure that court proceedings are accessible, understandable, and respectful to all participants. I am particularly proud of my involvement with treatment court programs, which help individuals address underlying challenges while remaining accountable for their actions.Second, I value the Democratic Party's commitment to inclusion and respect for human dignity. In my courtroom and throughout my career, I have sought to treat every person with respect and compassion. Whether interacting with defendants, victims, litigants, attorneys, or court staff, I believe people are more likely to trust public institutions when they feel they have been heard and treated fairly. | I'm running to retain my seat following an appointment by Governor Whitmer. While unopposed, I still wish to communicate endorsements and platform to voters so they can learn more about me as one of their elected representatives. I believe judges have this obligation, as do all representatives of our community. | As a Judge of the 15th District Court, I have worked to ensure that everyone who comes before the court is treated fairly, respectfully, and in accordance with the law. I have focused on making court processes accessible and understandable while protecting the rights of all parties. I strongly support problem-solving courts, including Mental Health Treatment Court and Veterans Treatment Court, which promote accountability, public safety, and long-term success. Through judicial education and training, I have also helped strengthen the quality of justice across Michigan. My goal is to maintain public trust through fairness, integrity, and dedicated public service. | In addition to attending meetings and events, I've been an active member of the WCDP for years. | In all roles, I have worked to mentor young professionals, especially young women, in the legal profession. Whether through having interns, meeting with students at local high schools and colleges, I have emphasized the need for our legal system to be accessible to young professionals and students. | I'm seeking this endorsement to communicate to Ann Arbor voters that our ideals and values are aligned. | I am a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Washtenaw County Bar Association, and the Women Lawyers Association–Washtenaw County. I am a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan Unauthorized Practice of Law Standing Committee, a member of the State Bar of Michigan District G Committee on Character and Fitness, and serve on the Board of Directors of the Washtenaw County EMU Legal Resource Center. I also serve on the Board of the Washtenaw County Bar Association and have held various leadership positions within the Association.I have served on the boards of several community organizations. I previously served as Vice President of the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates and as an instructor for the Michigan Judicial Institute. I have also been a contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. | I've knocked doors and supported candidates and causes in our community for over a decade. | No. |
| Probate Judge | Alethia Battles | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | info@alethiabattles4judge.com | The Democratic Party is a big tent. While we have contentious debates about policies, personal beliefs, it’s important to recognize how many things unite us. As Alethia has campaigned across the county, there has been support from individuals who have felt left behind. These have included progressives, moderates, even Republicans who understand the importance of this race.Beyond this, the Democratic Party believes that everyone deserves the right to live a life with dignity, agency, and autonomy. Through her work at Michigan Medicine, Alethia has ensured that these patients’ rights are protected. Even when patients are incapacitated, these rights still exist and Alethia works to protect them without leaving them in dangerous positions. | As someone who has spent her career in courtrooms and operating rooms, Alethia is defined by her experience and her empathy. The majority of the probate court’s docket will include conservatorships, guardianships, and families in emotionally-wrought cases. She has the perspective to understand what families need as they go through the legal process.There will not be time for on the job training as families are concerned about seeking help for their loved ones or reeling from tragedies. Alethia has spent more time practicing in probate court than any other candidate and she will be ready from day one. | Alethia’s experience includes building and managing the pipeline between Michigan Medicine and Washtenaw County’s Probate Court. This work has ensured over 600 patients have access to guardianships, conservatorships, and that the most vulnerable populations are protected. Her focus is on expanding the relationships that the probate court maintains with Adult Protective Services, community-providers aimed at eviction-prevention and aging in-place.Alethia has the most support from our local elected leaders of any candidate in this race. These relationships will be crucial to educating our community about the realities of probate court and the best opportunities to avoid families falling into it. This can include ensuring families have property-recorded power of attorney for financial decision-making, medical-decisions, and other measures that can save families from years of litigation. | Within Washtenaw County, Alethia has been an active member of the community. She has helped organize civic engagement opportunities for her Sorors: including lobbying days in Lansing and DC, preparing back to school and beauty kits for Washtenaw's disadvantaged population. | As someone who has received guidance her entire career, from supervisors recognizing her talents and elevating her to her colleagues pushing her to attend law school, Alethia understands how crucial it is to support and mentor others. Alethia has lectured in the School of Social Work since 2018 and has occasionally guest-lectured in Michigan Law. As an educator, Alethia has helped guide numerous students into their new careers. This has included providing letters of recommendation, career-conversations, and offered a shoulder for students to lean on. | The Washtenaw County Democratic Party represents the most grassroots beliefs of the Democratic Party: from the volunteers who serve on the board to the numerous volunteers who spend every election making sure every voter in the county is informed about their local leadership and the options on the ballot. Receiving the WCDP endorsement is helpful to ensure the election of Alethia in November, but more importantly, it shows the county volunteers who care deeply about the Democratic party and the democratic process support Alethia. | Through her work with Delta Sigma Theta, Alethia has organized trips to DC to secure additional research-funding for rare and specialty diseases that disproportionately affect Black women.Within Michigan Medicine, Alethia has served on the Zero Suicide Steering Committee, the Diversify the Workforce Subcommittee, as well as other roles involving patient rights, missing persons policy reviews, and ethics reviews involving children and adults.As an academic, Alethia has presented at the local, state, national, and international conferences about the importance and complexities of guardianships within probate law. This has included discussing ethical considerations that arise within legal settings, as well as suggestions for pipelines to become more rooted within their communities.Through her work in probate and guardianship law, she has attended Lansing to push for additional guidelines to protect elders from financial and family abuse. | Alethia has an extensive history of supporting Democratic causes, particularly within Washtenaw. As a member of the Vanzetti Hamilton Bar Association and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, she has helped support diversifying the profession. In the past, she has volunteered to watch polls for Michigan United to ensure voting rights are protected. | None at this time. |
| Probate Judge | Jennifer Lawrence | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | info@jlawforjudge.com | Protecting individual rights and freedoms is another core value I share. I believe government should safeguard fundamental rights and ensure that every person is treated fairly under the law. In my daily life, I try to listen to different perspectives, stand up against discrimination, and support policies and organizations that promote fairness and equal justice.Service to community is a value that guides many of my decisions. Strong communities are built when people contribute their time, skills, and energy to help others. I practice this through volunteer work, civic engagement, supporting local causes, and staying involved in efforts that strengthen the community and improve opportunities for others. I'm proud to have served as the past president of both the Washtenaw County Bar Association and the Washtenaw chapter of the Women Lawyer's Association. | Your next Probate Judge will hear 100% of personal protection orders, 35% of family law cases, and all guardianships and conservatorships. In our integrated court, our probate and circuit judges are responsible for these topics, as well as civil lawsuits, adoptions, juvenile court, and felony criminal matters. We need judges with hands-on experience who are prepared in all topics on day one. I'm the only candidate who has significant experience in every aspect of the court's jurisdiction, having actively practiced probate, family, civil, and criminal defense law.But you shouldn't vote based on experience alone, values matter. Growing up in Ann Arbor, and raising my kids here, my guiding values are intellectual curiosity, collaboration with neighbors, and equity & diversity. I practice these everyday, helping clients achieve healing and justice in complex cases, and serving as a mediator focused on collaborative resolutions.My experience and values make me the best candidate. | As a first-time candidate for judicial office, I will serve my constituents by ensuring every person who enters the courtroom is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. I believe courts should be accessible, transparent, and free from bias, regardless of a person's income, race, background, or zip code. I will apply the law impartially while recognizing the real-world impact judicial decisions have on families and communities. I am committed to protecting constitutional rights, promoting equal access to justice, and fostering public trust through integrity, accountability, and community engagement. My goal is to be a judge who listens carefully, leads with compassion, and upholds the rule of law, in line with our shared, progressive values, for all members of the community. | I've been a member of the WCDP prior to ever considering running for judge. From attending meetings to speaking on panels at monthly membership meetings, I believe in engaging with local political and civic organizations such as the WCDP. Specifically, I was proud to present in 2023 on a panel concerning how we should respond to disruptive or violent behavior in our schools. | As lawyers, we can all remember what it felt like starting out, or the first time handling a specific type of case. We share a desire to effectively argue for our client, seek resolution and healing, and to advocate zealously as is ethically required. But these goals are often confronted with the reality of learning the practice of law and developing new skills. This is why I have made a point of being a resource to young attorneys in our community. From speaking on panels, to hiring interns from local law schools, and to joining new lawyer section events with the bar association, I actively seek out opportunities for mentorship especially with young women and first generation lawyers. I am always willing to answer questions, give out contact information, and meet someone for a coffee to help mentor through a novel or difficult legal question. | The WCDP serves as a critical validator in our community because of the work being done to support local causes, candidates, and hold truth to power. I'm seeking the endorsement of the WCDP to communicate to Washtenaw County voters our shared ideals and values. | I'm proud to be a leader in the Washtenaw County legal community, serving as a president of the Washtenaw County Bar Association, member of the Michigan Bar Association, the Michigan Bar's Character and Fitness review body, and President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Washtenaw). Beyond this, I've served on the board of numerous organizations in our community, including Ypsilanti Secret Santa, and the EMU paralegal advisory committee. | As a judicial candidate, I'm ethically barred from stating specific support for partisan candidates. However, I can say that I proudly endorsed, knocked doors for, and supported our last three WCDP endorsed judicial candidates, Judges Jinan Hamood, Kerene Moore, and Arianne Slay. I'm even more proud to share that all three of these respected, progressive judges have endorsed my campaign. | No. |
| City of Dexter - City Council Member | Joe Semifero | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | jrsemifero@yahoo.com | I believe the Democratic Party at its core represents the interests of all people best. I think it is the biggest tent and it stands for everyone. I believe the Democratic Party focuses on upholding the Constitution for all the people. I try to listen to as many people as possible for issues of concern. I think one example of an area important to me is housing and providing more and varied options for the community. Although I wasn't here when Avalon built Hilltop, I have been an advocate for them and supported them through difficult discussions. I also think an eye towards attainable housing is important and continue to hope the projects we have approved and encourage will come to fruition. | I have a great deal of experience and have been fortunate to work on a number of successful efforts on Council in the past, and that long experience informs my decisions on every topic. I have a long range perspective and try to look to where the City might be in 10 or 20 years. I also look for feedback from the City residents regularly. Sanam Aldag and I have hosted town hall meetings the 4th Sunday of each month at Erratic Ale for about 2 years. I also regularly attend the Dexter Forum to hear from residents as well as reporting out on status of projects. I believe my experience and active participation in the community make me an excellent candidate to continue serving on Dexter City Council. | As a current officeholder, we are constantly looking for new ways to benefit the residents of the City. The biggest evidence of this is the new fire station which encompasses all the needs for the City for at least the next 50 years and replaces a severely outdated facility. This ensure a place for the current and future fire department services (potentially ambulance in the future) for the residents of the City. Council has maintained tax rates for years. I worked on the Mill Creek Park when it was developed and it now stands as the center of converging paths between the Metro Parks, Chelsea, and Ann Arbor on the B2B trails. Council has approved multiple housing developments with various types of housing, although we are waiting for some of those still to be built. I have continued to support in-fill development which doesn't require expansion of City infrastructure, and I support attainable housing in the proposed development south of Dexter Crossing. | As part of Council, we have had discussions on a number of topics with other communities in the area. We have met regularly and talked with representatives from Scio, Webster, and Dexter Township, as well as coordinating with the County in scheduling the City of Dexter roadwork on Main Street to overlap with the WCRC roundabout. This included the City participating in the grant application with upgrades to street crossings in Dexter along Main Street to be brought up to the latest ADA standards and was a key part of the application approval. Our discussions with DAFD communities has led to a number of areas where we will be able to improve our local fire service agreement. | I don't know that I would say I have "mentored" others. I do talk regularly with other members of Council about projects, I try to offer a historic perspective to people that may not have been residents of the city as long as I have, and I am part of the team always. I don't think my role is to mentor anyone - the people I work with are all extremely capable and all bring different opinions and perspectives. That is the strength of our Council and the team that is in office at this time. I have had residents tell me the Council is skilled and varied - it is more than just my opinion. I have taken the chance to lead when presented on the Utilities Committee, Roads Committee, initiating discussions with our partners in DAFD, and Mill Creek Park. I would say I have more mentored ideas, and I and the people I have been fortunate to work with have made those ideas into actions that benefited the City. | I am seeking the endorsement of the WCDP because, if we were partisan, I believe the goals the Council sets for the City every year would support the same principles. I believe the Dexter Council has a tradition of listening to people. I think I can continue to do an excellent job in the role of City Council Member the next four years. | My primary involvement has been within the City, engaging through the opportunities at Council. | I have supported local candidates with contributions but have not participated actively in campaigns for candidates and causes. | No, I have not. |
| City of Saline - Mayor | Brian D. Marl | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | briandmarl@gmail.com | Opportunity, fairness, and equity - In 2019, I was a stout advocate and leader in the adoption of a revised/strengthened Non-discrimination Ordinance in the City of Saline. I've also worked to incorporate DEI principles into City government, specifically, our hiring practices. Using my acumen in economic development, I have helped recruit several large and small enterprises to Saline, many minority and women owned, creating many jobs and expanding our tax base. I've helped secure record investments of public and private funds into our parks and municipally-owned Recreation Center, allowing us to improve operations and accessibility, while providing valuable services to all Saline area residents and visitors. | I'm the only candidate with municipal experience, the only individual with a clear and consistent vision, the only person with exposure to the issues that really matter - business growth, water/sewer infrastructure, police and fire services, and parks. This is no time for on the job training. We need someone ready and able to deliver on day one - | We have dramatically improved our financial position, with a growing fund balance and elevated bond rating. We engage more with residents and community stakeholders online, via reporting tools and at events and town halls than at any time in our City's history. We've created a pay-as-you-go street funding initiative, improving our local roads, without incurring additional debt. Again, we've secured record funding for recreation improvements and brought dynamic businesses to Saline, including a hotel and movie theater. We've secured ownership of the iconic Davenport Curtiss Mansion, with plans to preserve and active, making it accessible to all in our community. We've also obtained $1.5 million from the MEDC to create a new gathering space/town square in downtown Saline, building on our sense of community and creating a new space for public events and activities. | I actually started a Young Democrats club at Saline High School back in 2001 - I have supported and campaigned for numerous candidates over the years, including Pam Byrnes, Mark Schauer, Jeff Irwin, Felicia Brabec and Morgan Foreman to name a few. I have also attended WCDP events and fundraisers when I was able. | I've mentored countless City Council members and board/commission members during my tenure as Mayor. This has included debriefs on important local issues, providing educational resources, helping them lead meetings and understand RROO, and being accessible to each whenever they have questions or concerns. I've also recruited a diverse array of individuals to serve on Council and within the broader community. | I've been a life-long party member, and my values/beliefs align perfectly with the principles/positions of the Democratic Party. | I'm the former President of St. Paul UCC Church in Saline, former Vice President of the Saline Area Schools Historic Preservation Foundation, active member of the Saline-Lindenberg Friendship Committee, volunteer with Saline Area Social Services and Saline Main Street . I'm also active with SEMCOG and WATS, and served 12 years as the Chair of the Saline Area Fire Board. | Again, it dates back to 2002, I've supported democratic candidates in every election cycle these past 24 years. This has included monetary donations, door-to-door, phone banking, event hosting, rallies and strategic advice to candidates and causes. | No |
| City of Saline - Mayor | Michael McVey | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | mcveym@gmail.com | Democracy: As a Canadian immigrant, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1998 and casting my first vote was one of my proudest moments. It made me feel welcomed and part of the common good. As a school board member, I know honoring democracy means being open to all voices. I have always listened closely to public comments, even those expressed in frustration, to understand the core concerns beneath the emotion. Residents know I consistently take the time to hear and value their perspectives.Financial Stewardship: I expect elected officials to demonstrate sound fiscal responsibility and communicate transparently during tough financial decisions. I prioritize regular public communication, citizen participation via panels, and helping every resident thrive. I strongly support investing in the public good—like parks, green spaces, and projects that enhance community safety and livability. These investments strengthen our shared quality of life and reflect effective local government. | I have the mindset of a person who has worked his entire life to improve lives through education. As a special needs teacher and then as a professor of teacher education, my goal has always been to seek ways to improve the lives of others. For the last decade, I dedicated my time and energy to our school district as an elected trustee and became deeply engaged with learning about the district's complex physical and interpersonal infrastructure. I have served on the city's Environmental Commission, participated in the Saline Leadership Institute, regularly engaged with Saline’s Coalition for a Quality Committee (CQC), and led an effort to improve a key pedestrian crossing. I hope to guide city council by bringing a lifetime of experience and action to the city as its mayor. | During my ten years as a school board trustee, I have overseen multi-million-dollar budgets, transparently hired two superintendents, and collaborated with constituents to develop our strategic plan. I also supervised a comprehensive athletic department review and ensured a wide range of community voices informed every discussion.I played a key role in passing the 2022 Bond and critical millages, including the Career Technical Education (CTE) millage that successfully moved Washtenaw County out of its long-standing "CTE desert" status. These initiatives brought major improvements to our high school and facilities citywide. Additionally, I provided oversight during successful contract negotiations and shaped student- and family-focused policies.Beyond the board, I regularly present at the Saline Area Senior Center. Contributing to the growth of this county jewel and supporting our senior community has been deeply gratifying. | For the last five years, I have served on the executive of the Washtenaw Association of School Boards, an organization that joins all nine districts and the WISD in discussions and training that seeks to improve our work across the county. | Over the years, I have mentored many faculty members who were new either to Eastern Michigan University or to my specific department. As an experienced school board member, I have also helped onboard many new trustees over the years, regularly meeting with them to prepare them for everything from navigating policy complexities to understanding the cadence of board meetings. At the national level, I mentored a fellow member of my Board of Directors; when his term ended, he shared that I had inspired him to run for a school board election in his home state of Georgia. | The WCDP and I hold the same values and my record of civic engagement as well as my focus on the betterment of my community should be values the WCDP should endorse in a mayoral candidate. | I have been an active participant in many events in our school district from my position on the Board of Education. I attend student plays and musicals, visit the annual art shows, and actively support student activities as a judge for activities as diverse as the FCCLA and Future Farmers of America, and actively cheer for the Science Olympiad and local robotics teams. I have the honor of being the only board member to brave the Polar Plunge and to run 5K races to support local groups including Chad Tough, Special Olympics, and the Foundation for Saline Area Schools. I have lobbied in Lansing and Washington for increased educational funding, and I have supported bonds and millages for improvements to our schools and the district library. I have worked tirelessly to ensure that our teachers were paid well, our policies were updated and reasonable, and that those most in need of our safety and support received what they most needed. | Limits on my time have made it difficult for me to be highly active, but when possible I show up to local events, coffee hours, and keep current on issues so I can engage in meaningful conversations with colleagues. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Lyndon Dibble | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | lyndon.dibble02@gmail.com | Civic Education: I fully support and work on improving civic education. Civic understanding is one of the main missions of the WCDP. I have worked in the community, our schools, and the party to further this goal. Civic participation is the ideal that means the most to me because I believe in our democratic system, however, that system only works when citizens and all members of communities understand the systems of governance. When people understand the system they feel motivated to cause change, to advocate for what they believe in, and feel less pessimistic about the future. As such I have supported civic education in every setting, and wish to push for more civic education in our schools.Environmentalism: I support environmental work to reduce climate impact. I currently work part time at Argus Farm Stop, one of the reasons I chose to work at that local business was its effort to reduce the environmental impact of our food system. I support AAPS efforts to reduce climate impact. | As a student inside of AAPS I saw firsthand the issues effecting students and teachers. In addition, I am the candidate with the most recent in classroom experience and most recent student experience. Coupled with this life experience, I am currently studying educational policy at the University of Michigan which exposes me to new research about the best practices for improving educational outcomes. As such, I am best able to provide solutions to the many issues facing classrooms today. AAPS administration needs new perspectives and pressure to benefit students and teachers in the classroom, and policy ideas that will do that. Due to being in the classroom very recently I am best able to craft those policies and ensure that no mistakes are made that will harm current students or teachers. | I plan on serving the AAPS community with transparency and communicative leadership. One major issue facing AAPS is the lack of community trust in district leadership. I believe that with open and direct communication with all members of the public and more public appearance and accessibility from district leaders we can work with the community for the betterment of the district. This means hosting more community meetings as well as having board members, myself included, visiting school events in person consistently.Secondly, I plan on putting the most important constituent first in every decision I make: The Student. Public schools are, at the end of the day, meant to serve students! I will place student success first in every decision and vote I make as a board member. Classroom and student success must be the primary objective of the school district at all times. | I have been an active member in the WCDP in non-election years. I currently am a member of the WCDP programs committee and have organized and hosted various segments for the WCDP including the RCV discussions as well as the recent Ypsi and Ann Arbor city/mayoral candidate discussion. I have also worked behind the scenes on other WCDP events such as the US Senate candidate forum. I have also worked toward increasing youth turnout on behalf of the WCDP. | I volunteered as a civic education coach at Pioneer high school for the "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" civic competition. After I participated in the program myself, I volunteered the next year to mentor the next round of students. I assisted students on a range of topics and specifically helped them understand the 14th amendment, its clauses, and applied law. The hard work of the students, teacher, and coaches resulted in a top 10 placement nationally.I have also mentored students inside of the AAPS band programs. Specifically, teaching new students how to march during band camp and marching season. As well as leading sectionals in jazz band. | The Washtenaw Democratic Party is the backbone of organizing efforts for liberal causes inside of the county. The Washtenaw Dems have always been and will remain to be concerned about education in our community and as such having the support of the organization would show my commitment to the ideals the party represent. Especially those in an education context, such as, equity, inclusion, equality, civic understanding, and others. | I am an active member of the Ann Arbor community. I participate in the Ann Arbor Civic Band and the University Concert Band, providing free concerts for the community. I work with local nonprofits such as "We The People Opportunity Farm" to improve our local food econonmy. I was and wish to continue being a Civic Education Coach at Pioneer, and plan on being a band camp councilor next summer. I have been a vocal advocate for AAPS and public education before entering the race for school board. And of course, I have participated in many WCDP events and have been an active member of the party. | I have supported and canvased for many Democratic candidates and causes, including local elected officials, as well as many citizen petitions such as RankMIVote, Money Out of Politics, and Invest In MI Kids. In addition, I have participated in voter registration efforts and hosted candidate discussions. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Kelley Ellis | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | kelley4kids.aaps@gmail.com | Working people deserve a fair contract. Our teachers and support staff are the backbone of this district, and they have been working without one. Settling that contract is among the most valuable things we can do for students. Competitive wages let teachers live in the city where they teach. Keeping teachers is how we keep families, and keeping families is how we stabilize enrollment and funding.Every child deserves a high-quality education, and a good education isn't only about facts and test scores; it's about teaching every child to think critically — to ask good questions, weigh evidence, and reason to their own conclusions. That's the skill that outlasts any single lesson, and it's what turns a student into a capable, independent adult. Our children are our future, and I want to be a part of ensuring a high-quality education for all. | I am not running on a long list of priorities. I am running on a different operating premise. My leadership style is to lead from behind. The job is making it possible for other people to do theirs well. hat starts with governance. Clear goals. Shared expectations. Transparent data. Standards that apply to leadership as much as to staff. Then we measure outcomes, large and small, and do more of what works. | Serving people is what I've done my whole career, and this role is another way of doing it. As a pediatric provider, I worked to treat the whole child and family — listening to parents, advocating for what they needed, and working on their behalf. I'll do the same as a board member, bringing the same skills to a different table: assessing the whole picture, setting clear priorities, coordinating, and measuring whether what we're doing is working. Most families can't attend meetings, so I'll push for a plain-language summary after each one. High parent and community involvement is essential to improving our schools. Serving families also means making sure their kids are safe and supported — and with new state funding for mental health and safety rolling out, I would see that it was used deliberately. Every student, family, teacher, and taxpayer is who I serve. A board member's role is to carry the community's priorities, not their own — and that's the job I'm running to do. | My involvement in this county in my personal life has come through being an active parent in the schools and PTO and showing up to vote for elections as my democratic duty and how I express my voice. Professionally, I have spent years caring for children and families across this region. This is my first step out of the medical world and into the world of elected officials. | Mentoring is a part of the nursing profession. I've trained student nurses and new nurses; taught undergraduate nursing students, and as a nurse practitioner made a point of teaching the bedside nurses caring for my patients — so they understood not just what to do, but why. The thread is always the same: I empower people through education so they can think for themselves and lead. It's true of raising my own kids as well. Raising them to be thoughtful, capable people is the most important mentoring I'll ever do.As a healthcare provider my job was also to mentor families in a way, teach them how best to care for their, often, medically complex children. It was always rewarding watching families become experts in their children's care. | I'm seeking the WCDP's endorsement because I believe public education is a right, not a privilege; that every child deserves a fair shot regardless of income or where they live; that we support the educators who do this work; and that decisions should be driven by evidence and expertise, not ideology. I spent my career as a pediatric provider treating every family the same, rooted in evidence. That's the commitment I'll bring to this board. This endorsement connects me with people across Washtenaw County who care about public schools and helps me reach neighbors who share these priorities. The seat is nonpartisan by design and requires me to bridge the political gap to all families in the district. A board that works well within its own authority is one of the strongest arguments that public institutions can be governed with competence and care. | My community engagement is through children and for children as a healthcare worker and as a parent. I am involved in our schools PTO and attended school events throughout the year. I attended PTOC meetings last year, helped promote the PTOC fundraiser, and went to the PTOCs equity and inclusion forum to better understand where our gaps are. I was also an assistant soccer coach with Ann Arbor Rec and Ed. I also became an advocate for school safety. Personally, I have a special interest in health education. I have helped kids and especially teens actually understand their own bodies and health so they can speak up for themselves as they become adults. | My support has come mostly through being an informed, consistent voter. Voting is one of our most important democratic rights and should be used and not taken for granted. Every vote counts. Please get out and vote! | No |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Becca Hogan | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | rebeccalewishogan@gmail.com | A Healthy DemocracyPublic Education makes a healthy democracy. And, a healthy democracy depends on local actions, so if you look back at years I have been participating at board meetings and encouraging others to play an active role.Advancing EquityI support organizations like the Student Advocacy Center, which helps students in grades K-12 stand up for their rights when they are suspended, expelled, denied special education support, or faced with racism or some other barrier at school. I also work alongside advocates at Michigan Education Justice Coalition and 482 Forward to bring more equity into the Michigan School Funding calculations.Supporting Working Class FamiliesTeachers, Parapros and Office Professionals in our district lead families and they are too often underpaid. I support the AAEA and I endorse the ESP Bill of Rights. I practice this value by showing up to rallies and taking action to support unions and families across our community. | I am a mom of three kids in AAPS. I am often volunteering in classrooms, at PTO events, and I’ve been on the PTO Council Board for the last several years.I believe teachers' working conditions are our kids’ learning conditions– and therefore I've been advocating alongside the AAEA for years.My professional background also makes me the best candidate for the Board. I’ve been an education advocate since 2007. I hold an MPA from NYU where I studied education policy and public financial accounting. I’ve worked at a government financial transparency org where I furthered my practice in multi-fund accounting. I earned a teaching credential and taught high school math, and went on to coach teachers. I have a deep knowledge of the issues facing our district and public education at every level. I deeply believe in the power of community and I will continue to build relationships to bring back trust in AAPS. | I aim to continue to build relationships across the community, and to center the voices of community members. For far too long, constituents of the AAPS Board have felt unheard and devalued. I plan to host listening sessions and small group sessions- similar to how I see successful local representatives do in our county. But also, I would like to host large-scale, table facilitated conversations in our community for students and parents to have a real voice in the direction that schools are headed.I also aim to quickly move our Board meetings to more accessible locations, where people already gather in the community- rotating between the public high schools.All in all, I am to serve constituents by collaborating with them. | In non-election years I have been most active in Washtenaw County by attending most all school board meetings (if not in person, than online), actively participating in my kids’ school PTO meetings, and leading PTO Council meetings as a member of the Board.Additionally, you can see further below how I’ve engaged in our community through PTOC Equity Work, Teachers Community Fund, coaching Rec and Ed Soccer. | As a teacher, I mentored my students and fellow teachers. A former student: “...You weren’t just an amazing teacher; you made every student feel seen, valued, and capable of achieving more than we believed we could. You taught with your whole heart, and that’s something I’ve never forgotten... The impact you’ve made reaches far beyond the classroom, and I’m living proof of that. Thank you for believing in us, for inspiring us, and for reminding us that we could go anywhere if we believed in ourselves..."From a former teacher:“Results-oriented, efficient and positive are three words that come to mind when I think about Becca. I had the pleasure of having her as my manager for a year while I was a teacher... Her positive and approachable personality ensured that she maintained a significant relationship with all those she managed and allowed her to create a culture of open communication in some of our more heavy group meetings.” | The WCDP does important advocacy and work in our community, particularly at a time when trust in institutions is low and our democracy is at risk. I have been a registered Democrat since I was 18 and have worked for Democratic causes my entire adult life– From being an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2009, to working for Rep Ed Towns D-NY in Washington DC, to serving students as a teacher through Teach For America, to today serving as an advocate for public education across the state with Michigan Education Justice Coalition.The WCDP and the Voter Guide are trusted sources of information across the county. I seek endorsement because I would like my name to be alongside the WCDP – we are doing good in our community and trusted by voters. | I am on the PTO of my kids' elementary school and I volunteer in their school and classrooms often, doing small groups for reading, writing and math in addition to volunteering at events like the Annual Run a Thon.I am on the Exec Board of the PTOC (Parent Teacher Organization Council), which connects all schools across AAPS in support of all students and the community. I am an active member of the PTOC Equity Committee. Over the course of this fundraiser in the past two years alone we have raised over $60,000 to support Title I PTOs.In 2025, when teachers' health care costs spiked I was a part of the Teachers Community Fund. We designed a mutual aid network overnight to redistribute over $35,640 in 5 months from community members to educators in our community.I am an avid supporter of the Student Advocacy Center and was an honorary host of their Annual Fundraiser in 2026. | I’ve always supported Democratic candidates and causes by voting in every election that I can and by financially donating when I am able. Examples of stand out support:-2009 I interned for HeadCount registering voters-2010 Interned for the Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer (D)-2010 Fellow on Capitol Hill for Congressman Ed Towns (D-NY), chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.- 2012, I was a Fellow for then State Senator Mike Johnston CO - 2018, I phone banked for Emily Shetty Maryland House of Delegates.- 2018 when I lived in Texas, I canvassed for my local congressional Democratic challenger to the Republican and Beto for Senate.- 2022 I collected signatures for Prop 3, to enshrine bodily autonomy in the state constitution- 2024 I canvassed for Harris for President, wrote postcards for judicial candidates, and canvassed for school board candidates- 2025-26 I collected signatures for Invest in MI Kids to raise revenue for public schools. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Rima Mohammad | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | rimaforaaps@gmail.com | Democratic Party values that mean the most to me are building coalitions, uplifting every voice, and fighting for a democracy where everyone has a seat at the table. Our strength as Democrats comes from bringing people together across differences and building a movement rooted in our values. As the co-founder of The People's Coalition and as a party leader, I've worked to unite communities in Michigan, engage voices often left out, and organize around justice, equity, and opportunity. As the first Arab American elected to the Ann Arbor School Board, I understand the importance of representation and ensuring communities see themselves in leadership. I've fought for students, families, educators, and marginalized communities by advocating for equity, transparency, and opportunities for all. Through my leadership in the MDP, WCDP, and CD6 Democrats, I've worked to strengthen our grassroots movement by engaging voters, building partnerships, and supporting leaders who represent us. | I'm the best candidate for the Ann Arbor School Board because I bring proven leadership, deep community roots, and a commitment to putting students, families, and educators first. As a Trustee, I've led through challenging times by prioritizing transparency, accountability, equity, and responsible decision-making. I've fought to support educators, invest in student success, expand opportunities for all learners, and ensure every student and family feels valued and represented. My lived experiences as an educator, pharmacist, AAPS parent, child that lived through poverty, child refugee, and researcher allows me to bring a unique perspective grounded in evidence, compassion, equity, and collaboration. Beyond the school board, I have worked to strengthen our community and grassroots movement through my leadership with The People's Coalition and the Democratic Party—building coalitions, uplifting voices often left out, and organizing communities around our shared values. | As an Ann Arbor School Board Trustee, I've used my office to serve students, families, educators, and our community through transparent, accountable, and equity-centered leadership.I've worked to ensure community voices are heard and decisions are focused on student success. I've advocated for educator support, fair contracts and raises, stronger student mental health resources, expanding opportunities for all learners, and equity and inclusion policies. During challenging financial times, I voted against making major cuts that impact classrooms first and pushed to fully understand the root causes, evaluate spending priorities, examine outside contracts and expenditures, and ensure the community has a meaningful voice in decisions. Budget challenges should not be solved by disproportionately cutting the educators and services that impact students. My leadership is rooted in listening, collaborating, and building bridges so every constituent feels valued, represented, and heard. | I have been deeply involved in Washtenaw County and the Democratic Party beyond election cycles through ongoing community organizing, leadership, and service. I serve in leadership roles with the Washtenaw County Democratic Party as the Membership Co-Vice Chair, Michigan Democratic Party as an At-Large Officer, and Congressional District 6 Democrats as Vice Chair. I have worked on strengthening our grassroots movement, increasing membership within the party, engaging communities, and building coalitions across communities. I have helped build connections across Washtenaw County and throughout Michigan by bringing together diverse communities, uplifting voices often left out, and organizing around shared priorities of justice, equity, and opportunity. | Mentorship has been a core part of my work as an elected official, educator, healthcare professional, and community leader. As an Ann Arbor School Board Trustee, I've supported and mentored emerging leaders, candidates, and community advocates by sharing lessons from my own experiences in public service, organizing, and coalition building.Through my leadership in the state, county and congressional district democratic party, and The People's Coalition, I've helped train and encourage people interested in getting involved in the party and grassroots organizing, and provided guidance on community engagement, building relationships, and creating inclusive movements.As a clinical professor and healthcare professional at the University of Michigan, mentorship is also central to my professional life. I have mentored hundreds of students, residents, and faculty by helping them develop confidence, clinical and leadership skills, and a commitment to serving our communities. | I'm seeking the WCDP endorsement because I believe in the power of our Democratic community and the importance of strengthening our Party by centering our values: standing with working families, uplifting every voice, building coalitions, and fighting for justice, equity, and opportunity. As a Trustee, I've worked to advance these values through transparent leadership, accountability, and ensuring every person has a voice. The WCDP endorsement would help amplify the work and connect with grassroots organizers and communities who make our movement strong.Beyond elected office, I've dedicated myself to strengthening our Democratic movement. Through my Party leadership and The People's Coalition, I've worked to engage new voters, strengthen grassroots organizing, and bring people back to the Party. Through our efforts, we signed up thousands of new Democratic members in the past 2 years.I want to continue building a Party that reflects the people we serve and fights for our values. | Service has always been at the center of my life. I engage with my community through public service, education, healthcare, grassroots organizing, and mentorship.As a Trustee, I make myself accessible to all constituents through ongoing outreach, regular communications, and community engagement to ensure their voices are heard. As a professor and pharmacist, I mentor and educate future healthcare professionals, help organize healthcare community activities, and care for patients.Beyond my professional work, I co-founded The People's Coalition to bring communities and organizations together around shared values of justice, equity, and civic engagement. I also serve in leadership roles with the MDP, WCDP, and CD6 Democrats, where I help organize, recruit members, educate voters, mentor future leaders, and strengthen grassroots participation. I'm also engaged with many community events and calls to action, especially around justice, equity, and supporting marginalized communities. | I have been involved for years supporting Democratic candidates and causes through canvassing, phone banking, text banking, fundraising, organizing volunteers, hosting campaign and community events, educating voters in various communities, and endorsing Democratic candidates at the local, county, state, and federal levels. I have also participated in rallies, protests, community events, and supported Democratic Party resolutions and calls to action that advance reproductive freedom, civil rights, equity, public education, workers' rights, healthcare, human rights, and other Democratic causes. I have been involved as a voter, an elected official, and as a leader in the Democratic Party. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Jennifer Oldham | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | oldhamforaaps@gmail.com | The three democratic party values that are most important to me are economic opportunity, equality, and public service.Growing our economy is directly tied to investing in our children. Our future depends on growing the skills and knowledge of the next generation so that they have economic opportunity, meaningful career options, and can contribute.The best mechanism we have to ensure equality of opportunity is building strong public school systems that meet student needs and prepare all children for success, whether in college, technical training, or entering the workforce as young adults. I practiced my belief in public service through the Thurston Math Club. From the beginning, it’s been important to me that no fees were required, all students were welcome, and our informational materials were available in multiple languages. By removing barriers and creating an inclusive environment, we built a diverse club to strengthen the math and problem solving skills of our students. | I am someone who talks and listens to everyone, whether we agree on a topic or not; who digs into details and history; and who has time and humility to offer. I will research everything that comes before the board and be accessible to the community for conversation. I will also be an AAPS parent for ten more years. One of the challenges for school board members is finding time for committee meetings and community engagement. As a stay-at-home mom to three school-aged children, I have a great deal of flexibility to devote the time this role deserves. | I believe that in-person discussion is a uniquely effective form of communication and problem solving, therefore time and space must be made for it. As the main interface for communication between the community and the school district, I believe that board members should undertake an effort to help parents understand Michigan’s unique school funding system so that we all have a more clear understanding of the problems faced by the district and the options available to respond. I plan on regular public engagement through listening sessions at libraries for my campaign and would schedule regular sessions as a Trustee. I also hope to facilitate the creation of committees that bring community expertise and leadership to problems facing our schools. | I have attended WCDP monthly meetings including the meeting on chronic absenteeism. I’ve attended rallies such as the Women’s March in Ann Arbor. I expect my involvement will grow as my children do. | I co-founded the Thurston Math Club in the wake of Covid, 2022-23, to bring people together again and build problem solving skills. We meet in winter and spring evenings in small, parent-led groups working problems from the Math Kangaroo competition. At our first meeting we had to turn people away because we exceeded the fire marshall’s limitations on our school library. Or club split between the library and cafeteria to ensure we had space for everyone and then, for the next two years, between Wednesdays and Thursdays to ensure we had space for everyone and to accommodate family schedules. At parent coach meetings we figured out how to make the club work. Every single thorny problem we brought to the group was addressed with a solution none of us saw as an option before our conversations. Building the Thurston Math Club is how I’ve come to have an enormous amount of respect and faith in the Ann Arbor community. | I hope to earn your endorsement because I stand for a clear commitment to strong public education, community governance, and accountability. School boards matter for democracy; in fact they are our oldest democratic organizations and existed in the colonies before independence. Especially in such a local form of government, which reaches into families and influences children's futures, my core belief is that decisions need to be transparent and truly democratic - carried by the people, with input from families and teachers, and a community's willingness to listen to each other. At the same time, I know that many voters do not pay close attention to the specifics of school board candidates, people are stretched thin, most voters don’t have children in school and nonpartisan school board races are down ballot. Consequently, many voters trust the Democratic Endorsements to help them choose representation that aligns with our shared values. | Outside of school-based volunteering, my primary civic engagement is following the AAPS school board closely. When the $25 million shortfall was discovered, I learned that most parents believed that our local property taxes directly fund our school district. This has not been the case since 1993; in fact we are prohibited from levying taxes within our district for the general operating funds that pay teachers. I wrote a google doc explaining how Michigan funds schools that was widely read and then another one on changes to the elementary specials schedule that were introduced as a cost saving measure. I heard back from many parents how helpful this was. Recently, when concerns over the tax capture with the South Arbor development came up, I helped connect concerned electeds with experts in Michigan school finance. I’ve participated in an MEJC lobby day in Lansing and collected signatures for the Invest in MI Kids ballot initiative. | School board has been my introduction to the Washtenaw Dems. I helped candidates with yard signs and attended the endorsement meeting in 2024. I’ve collected signatures for the Invest in MI Kids ballot initiative. And I actively participate in discussions on school issues on Facebook and Nextdoor. That said, this is my first experience with seeking elected office and I expect my involvement to grow as my children become more and more independent. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Aaron J. Puno | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | voteaaronpuno@gmail.com | This party’s commitment to the upholding of democracy and civil rights means the most to me. Without equal protection under law and the right to decide who leads our country we can’t achieve any other great goal. I am the son of immigrants who grew up during a totalitarian dictatorship. Knowing the stories of my family and of the many who stood up to the Marcos Dictatorship in the Philippines has instilled an unshakable reverence for core democratic values.It is this history and these values which empower my candidacy for this office. From voting in every election I was allowed to running for this important position: I could not be where I am today without the democratic rights given to us by people who sacrificed for them. I’ve always put in the work for civil rights, especially when I stood with students whose freedom of speech was arbitrarily restricted by their university. I have internalized the lessons taught in Bryant and Pattengill and I will uphold these values always. | I am the best candidate for Ann Arbor School Board trustee because I spent thirteen years as a student in this district being affected by the decisions made by current and previous school boards. I lived through the Snyder years when we had to have classroom drivers for Kleenexes and colored pencils – and hell we’re still doing this. I lived through the end of the No Child Left Behind years and through the final grasp of breath of that failed policy. I lived through the Pandemic – I went home in March of 2020 thinking I’d be back in two weeks only to return in two years. I lived through virtual school, through the childcare crisis, and through the deterioration of the Swift administration and the sudden shock of the financial crisis. I am the best candidate for this position because I have lived through the ramifications of the same sort of decisions that I would be called upon to make if elected and I intend to carry out my duties with an awareness of the responsibilities I hold. | I intend to govern in a transparent, forward-looking manner. I am reminded of a quotation from one current school board member in which she declared that school board meetings were “held in the public, not for the public”. That sort of arrogant contempt for everyday Ann Arbor families would not come anywhere near my mind. I intend to hold frequent meetings in the community to gauge the needs and opinions of Ann Arbor families. I intend to seek advice and perspective from rank-and-file people in this district as to how we can make the Ann Arbor Public Schools the destination district we used to be. Most importantly, I will seek expert advice where necessary – especially in regards to our district’s financial situation. I will not be the sort of politician who outsources the thinking to overpaid corporate consultants, I will instead pick the brains of the many intelligent Ann Arbor subject matter experts who have routinely indicated their willingness to help our district for free. | I first began attending WCDP meetings in 2025 in my capacity as a University of Michigan College Democrat. I aimed to bring a youthful perspective to the ongoing fight against the present administration in Washington and their willfully cruel policies. I’ve involved myself in Washtenaw County politics for a longer period of time. In high school I was the editor-in-chief of the Pioneer Optimist newspaper where I scrutinized the school board during non-election years. I’ve also consistently involved myself in municipal and state politics; I am especially proud of my advocacy for better public transit in the Southeast Michigan region – much of which was conducted during non-campaign years. | I was the walk-on goalie for Pioneer Men’s Lacrosse. I was proud to take our Junior Varsity boys to an undefeated season during my last year. Since then, I’ve returned many times to the sideline to help the team in whatever way I could – from the occasional Churchillian pep talk to giving advice to my successors at the goalie position. I also spent several years as an informal teaching assistant to Jack Wagner, the award-winning director of Community High Jazz. I spent my spare time in classes with younger students helping them to learn the ropes of jazz and performance art. As Operations Director for College Democrats at the University of Michigan, I have made many efforts to engage our younger members in the political process, from our youth at convention effort to fostering connections between local electeds and college kids. | I am seeking the endorsement of the WCDP because I want to reflect the values held by the people in our district and our party in how I will execute my duties as a trustee. I aim to align myself with the people who are fighting the good fight, no matter how long the odds or how steep the slope. For all its faults, this party is the only party in our country which consistently stands up for democracy, civil rights, good education policy, and for working families like mine. | I am presently the elected Operations Director for the College Democrats at the University of Michigan. I was partly responsible for the tremendous effort in getting young people to the state Democratic convention this past Spring. I am also currently a canvasser for State Representative Jennifer Conlin, whose seat is a must win for our party this November. I was an award winning reporter for and later editor-in-chief of the Pioneer Optimist newspaper. I also worked for several years at Transportation Riders United in Detroit, a nonprofit which has fought for longer than my lifespan for better public transit in our region. | I began to identify as a Democrat at the tender age of nine because I appreciated the character and poise of former president Obama. I became firm in my beliefs after the 2016 election and spent my middle and high school years developing a strong progressive beliefs system. I have supported through monetary donations several candidates; I also knocked on doors for State Representative Reggie Miller during the last election cycle in that crucial swing seat race.As I mentioned previously, I now serve as Operations Director for College Democrats at the University of Michigan and as a canvasser for another frontliner, State Representative Jennifer Conlin. In these capacities, I am committed to ensuring that Democrats win big in November and build a lasting, just movement for the betterment of our community and this great nation. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Carolyn Siebers | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | sieberc7@aol.com | Democratic values I have promoted throughout my career include equity, educational opportunities for all, and the strength of diversity. While teaching at Community High, we were the first in AAPS to eliminate low-level math classes. Tracking was both an equity issue and a denial of student educational opportunities. Once students were in heterogeneous classrooms and challenged with new material, failure rates declined sharply. Enrollments in advanced mathematics increased.Success breeds success.As an administrator at Pioneer, I worked with the math department to eliminate a low-level math track enrolling mostly at-risk students with high failure rates. In my work as a math consultant at Wayne RESA, we researched successful professional development models for high-poverty districts, designed an intensive program, and implemented it in Highland Park and Hamtramck schools. They made statistically significant improvements on state tests. Continuing this PD, we scaled up to more districts. | I believe I bring a unique blend of public school experience, commitment to education, and openness to problem-solving. With these qualities, I am well-suited to support the district’s emergence from current tensions and gain community trust with purposeful transparency. As a 40-year public school educator, I was a successful teacher, administrator, researcher, and math consultant. These diverse roles helped me gain a deeper understanding of the increasingly complex path for public schools in our state. To regain the public's trust, the community and board must transparently reexamine the district's budget development process and ensure safeguards verify the mathematical calculations of financial officers for General Fund budget changes from year to year. Additionally, community stakeholders need meaningful participation in prioritization of district programming and a thorough examination of the implications of program adjustments required to achieve future financial stability. | I am running for the first time. Effective, equitable leadership starts with listening. Throughout the community, I’ve been meeting with local groups to hear directly from neighbors about their priorities and concerns—a commitment I will expand in the upcoming school year. On the board, I will partner with fellow trustees to review our decision-making process and build stronger, structured pathways for meaningful community input. | I have attended monthly meetings; participated in associated marches and protests | As a teacher, mentoring others to gain experience is an important responsibility. Generally, the learning growth of students with experienced teachers is greater than that of new teachers. I have mentored student teachers through classroom modeling and discussions of teaching decisions. While a class principal at Pioneer, some favorite mentoring was in conversations with teachers following observations of great lessons! As South Redford's high school principal, I mentored a young assistant as the school struggled with changing student demographics---from white to 30% minority. We worked with the student diversity club and NCCJ to dedicate a school day to a performance and discussions around diversity, racism, and empathy. In preparation, we held a meeting for parents and worked to ease fears about any hidden agendas. Community members were also invited to the performance. Following this day, students reported feeling uplifted; disciplinary issues were reduced the rest of the year. | The WCDP is a respected force in our community, and its endorsement reflects my commitment to core Democratic values. The Democratic Party remains dedicated to protecting democracy and advancing the vision of a more perfect union.Central to that vision is equal educational opportunity.To safeguard our democracy, our public schools must actively identify and dismantle barriers to student learning. This work is complex; systemic racism runs deep and includes educational systems.It often shows up in subtle ways—such as relying on standardized test scores over authentic student work.Other obstacles, like an overpacked curriculum, pull focus away from true comprehension. Emphasizing 'less is more' allows focusing on essential concepts and giving more time to build deeper understanding. Finally, we must support our educators, who are increasingly overwhelmed by the push to 'do more'—from immediate grading demands to planning quality instruction for 150 students and responding to 100 e-mails. | As a dedicated local teacher and administrator, my commitment to our community extends well beyond the classroom. Over the years, I have actively supported students at School Board Meetings, sporting events, concerts, and extracurricular activities—including leading my forum on group camping weekends for many years.My passion for education and service is reflected in years tutoring at diverse community hubs, including Community High School, Peace Neighborhood Center, Neutral Zone, and the Robot Shop. I have served as Board President for Henderson House, a University of Michigan women's cooperative. I originated and continued to chair the annual silent auction fundraisers benefiting Ann Arbor Meals-on-Wheels, the Housing Bureau for Seniors, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Silver Memory Club, the Turner African-American Services Council, and the Turner Senior Wellness Program. I also teach a class on monarch butterflies and how we can protect our environment for our fauna. | For decades, I have been deeply committed to the Democratic Party and progressive causes, a dedication expressed both through consistent financial support and active participation in marches from Washington, D.C. to local state demonstrations. Beyond advocacy, I have focused heavily on the mechanics of our democracy. Since 2012, I have served as a trained, credentialed Election Challenger, working on the ground to protect the vote in key locations across the state, including Detroit, Lansing, Jackson, Grand Rapids, and Dearborn Heights. My grassroots experience also includes participating in voter registration drives and door-knocking, where I've connected directly with voters to deliver party literature and provide vital information about polling locations. | No |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Andy Spencer | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | andspncr@gmail.com | We value an economy that works for everyone, healthcare access, protection of reproductive rights, diversity of our community as an important strength, and protecting the environment for future generations. My spouse and I work hard to ensure we are modeling equality of work and household roles at home. The places I have worked in my career have all been founded or co-founded by immigrants to our country, and my colleagues and I have embraced opportunities to work and learn together with a shared mission of improving healthcare outcomes. | I believe my advanced training in the sciences, my experience serving on leadership teams of small, science-driven companies, and the perspective of a kid who grew up in a home focused on public education provides me with knowledge and experience that will be relevant and complementary to the expertise of others on the AAPS Board. | Though I've run for AAPS Board before, I'm seeking office for first time. If elected, I plan to influence AAPS priorities with a focus on financial stability for our students and teachers … I believe a well-functioning and successful public school district benefits any community and its members. | Have attended several events (two memorable ones: Anat Shenker-Osorio's talk, and BeanGate [ask me if you don't know]) but not deeply involved historically with the local WCDP. We moved to Ann Arbor in 2016. In 2017-2018 I put in a long (and ultimately unsuccessful) effort around the state to earn support as the MDP nominee for MSU Board of Trustees. Have attended local Democratic events and supported Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary Jocelyn Benson, state Sen. Adam Hollier, Rep. Dan Kildee, state Sen. Jeff Irwin, UM Regent Paul Brown, Garlin Gilchrist, the MDP, and others. | As a former STEM (sciences, technology, engineering, math) student 20 years into my "real" career, I have spent time mentoring and meeting with students still going through the years-long education process. This includes participating in career-related panels at MSU and UM (along with multiple other universities) as well as one-on-one discussions. Questions about how, where, and why (mission) to find employment after school and how to make opportunity when few seem to exist. I have mentored and advised university professors and trainees on issues related to starting companies in the biomedical sciences. As a coach and little league volunteer, I have mentored young athletes as well as training/organizing 12-16 year old umpires on how to lead a game and effectively manage inappropriate parent/coach behaviors. I have also coached freshman boys basketball at Skyline High School. | I am seeking the endorsement of the WCDP because I share the values of our local Democratic party. If elected to the Board at AAPS, I believe I can be most effective with the support and understanding of our local Democratic party from day one. Also, I'm seeking your endorsement because I want to win and effect change on the AAPS board. The WCDP is an mportant endorsement because the WCDP is influential and engaged. | Most of the time I've been engaged with the community over the years has been through volunteering in AAPS schools (including coaching), mentoring young scientists, and volunteering as a parent in athletic booster/athletic team activities. See mentoring question for more details. | Have attended local Democratic events and supported Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary Jocelyn Benson, state Sen. Adam Hollier, Rep. Dan Kildee, state Sen. Jeff Irwin, UM Regent Paul Brown, Garlin Gilchrist, the MDP, and others. | No. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Four Year Term | Brandon Smith | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | brandonfora2schools@gmail.com | A value that defines both my work and the Democratic Party is inclusion. As a teacher, my daily goal is to create a safe, welcoming environment where every student can learn. In practice, this means removing barriers: advocating for free student meals, equitable resource access, and trauma-informed practices. It also requires culturally responsive education so that students and staff see their own lived experiences reflected in our schools.Additionally, the Democratic Party recognizes that a well-funded public sector elevates the whole community. Fully funding public education ensures our tax dollars go where they have the greatest impact: our children. This means keeping resources close to the classroom by investing directly in educators and learning materials.Finally, as a government teacher, I am committed to fostering civic engagement. Our democracy only succeeds if we empower the next generation to get involved, stay informed, and actively participate in their communities | I believe the best candidate for this role is someone who brings practical background knowledge of the issues at hand, while still committing themselves to asking questions and genuinely listening. I develop that real-world experience every day as a classroom teacher. I have actively negotiated contracts, including securing raises for staff while maintaining a healthy fund balance of over 25%. For me, school board governance isn't a theoretical discussion; it is my career.At the same time, I am the first to admit that I don't have all the answers. True leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room. It's about surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people, asking the right questions, and truly listening to the responses. My commitment to this community is simple: I will always ask the hard questions, and I will always listen. | As a first-time candidate for elected office, my goal is to put my professional background to work in helping make AAPS the strong, thriving school system I know it can be.First and foremost, I plan to give parents, teachers, and staff a true voice at the table. Over the past several years, I have heard widespread concerns from our community regarding how the district is being managed, and I felt a responsibility to step up rather than sit on the sidelines. But even moreso, these groups all feel unheard. If elected, I will never allow them to feel unheard again.Serving our constituents means bringing authentic classroom experience to board decisions, maintaining open channels of communication, and ensuring every decision is made with transparency and student success at the forefront. | Having lived in Washtenaw County my entire life, this community is home.My involvement in our local education system and democratic process extends far beyond election cycles. I am proud to serve on the Governing Board of the Washtenaw County Education Association, where we work collaboratively to address the broader educational issues facing schools across the county. In addition, I have helped organize local school board efforts in Saline, recruiting and supporting candidates who align with the values of a strong, high-quality public education.Finally, through both my advocacy work and my role teaching AP Government, I routinely engage with local lawmakers and elected officials, many of whom are active members of the Democratic Party, to bring civic learning directly to my students and advocate for public education year-round. | I am fortunate to work in a career where I mentor young people every day. In the classroom, my goal is to help every student discover a civic issue or government concept they feel passionate about. To bridge theory and reality, I require my AP Government students to attend two local political meetings in person each term, such as city council, school board, or county commission meetings, to see local governance in action.This hands-on exposure has inspired many former students to pursue public service. I have former students currently working in the Michigan State Legislature, serving as congressional staff in Washington, D.C., and leading on the executive board of the Michigan High School Democrats. If I can help young people realize that democracy simply doesn't work without their active involvement, I consider that mentorship a success. | The Democratic Party is the party of public education. While school board elections in Michigan are nonpartisan, and there are a multitude of pros and cons for that system, the values that best support and strengthen a high-quality public education system align directly with the core principles of the Democratic Party.Ideals such as inclusivity, culturally responsive instruction, strong public investment, and preparing the whole child for their future are fundamental tenets of my educational philosophy, and they are the exact same principles I see mirrored in the Democratic Party. Seeking the endorsement of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party allows me to partner with a community of advocates who share this commitment to protecting public education and ensuring every student in our district has the resources and support they need to succeed. | My community involvement is rooted in a lifelong commitment to public education, youth empowerment, and civic engagement.At the state level, I serve on Governor Whitmer’s Educator Advisory Council, advising leadership on policy to strengthen Michigan’s public schools. Regionally, I serve on the Governing Board of the Washtenaw County Education Association, advocating for equitable funding and teacher support. I have also organized local school board candidate recruitment efforts in Saline.In the classroom, I mentor students by requiring AP Government students to attend local civic meetings to see governance in action. Beyond academics, I serve as a marching band drumline instructor, promoting student involvement in the arts. | While I promote the core values of the Democratic Party every day through my actions, I have also consistently supported Democratic candidates and public education causes at the grassroots level. My introduction to this work began as a campaign intern for Democratic Congressional candidate Gretchen Driskell. That experience gave me direct insight into grassroots organizing, voter outreach, and why community advocacy is so vital to our political system.Since then, I have stayed actively engaged by supporting local candidates who align with Democratic values, particularly around strong, fully funded public education. Through my work organizing local candidate recruitment, building connections with state legislators, and participating in advocacy events across Washtenaw County such as those with the Student Advocacy Center, I consistently work to champion the leaders and policies that move our community forward. | No, I have not. |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Partial Term | John Benson | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | FriendsOfJohnBenson@gmail.com | Diversity is our greatest strengthFoundational freedoms: peaceful speech and protest, practice any religion or none at all, without hateGovernment is the work we do together: in good faith while respecting our differencesIn my work in finance my colleagues know I am ear and aid if their voice is not being heard. They know I work and stand with anyone regardless of religion, race, sex, LGBTQ identity, or cultural background.I was raised with catholic and atheist influences. My wife is Jewish and I am proud my kids attend Jewish teachings and camps. I have attended services in temples, churches and non-denomination houses with friends, family and coworkers, and know religious and cultural diversity does not stop there. Foundational freedoms and government: I’d mention the platform for public comment in our School Board meetings is a critical, wonderful example of cordial speech, good faith co-work, and respecting differences. It’s helped me get deeply involved in school board. | I am the best candidate because I am an honest listener and collaborator with people of different backgrounds, education, and professional skills. I am exceptional at building and negotiating for improving financial oversight structures, something our Ann Arbor Schools need more urgently than perhaps any other single skill at this time.I am the best candidate because I’ve already shown, just with public comment at Board meetings in 2026, that I am improving financial transparency, controls and admin-board collaboration. Current trustees, not up for re-election, have quoted my work and advice during meetings. The administrations newly hired Chief Financial Officer has acknowledged in public meeting the validity of my contract review and controls advisements. This should be a big indicator of how I can continue to collaborate with these critical groups towards more sound financial oversight and controls if endorsed and elected. | I will serve my constituents with honesty, direct and transparent discussions and reporting, and exceptional finance and budget oversight, particularly to help our teachers and other direct to pupil staff see a budget process that protects their side of the expenditure sheet. Our children need a high quality, stable teaching force, and recent reoccurring shortfalls in revenue versus expenditure balancing have jeopardized that.I should also be viewed as an exceptional candidate to review spending from our property tax based bond and sinking funds. | As a father and husband with a wonderful spouse and three kids under 9 (two of whom were born right here in Ann Arbor), the years spent in the county so far have been all about being a part of the fantastic family centric offerings Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County offer. The public schools, the diversity, the parks, outdoor pools, trails, farms, gardens, and natural water scenery, particularly the Huron river and it’s parks. As examples Independence Lake County Park (Blue Heron Spray park!) and County Farm Park are musts for the Benson household. | I am a father of three kids ages 2, 5, and 8. I enjoy teaching them swimming, Lego (Technic) building, reading, hiking, gardening and anything they want to explore.As a Senior Manager at a pension firm, I regularly train and mentor early career professionals in finance controls, analytics and data, risk, cash management, and business communication. I was also a senior investment professional at a large firm in New York City where I regularly trained new investment, risk, and analytics professionals.Earlier in my life I was a soccer coach consultant with Washington D.C. SCORES, working with elementary school teams after school on a rotation of 3-4 schools in central and SE Washington D.C.I volunteered as an afterschool math tutor in Madison WI, while a college engineering student, at a high school particularly for kids and young adults present as part of attempting to retake classes and complete high school curriculum. | The Ann Arbor Public Schools need candidates to fill the 5 open seats on ballot this November. In my opinion, the Democratic party needs to continue finding people in its community that can be genuinely collaborative and fearlessly inclusive, and exceptional in big picture finance and budget dialogue, oversight, and management. It’s not just an extremely timely skill combination for the school board of Ann Arbor, but a joint additive force with the well respected Washtenaw County Democrats that I am asking to formalize. I am positive we can now launch a mutually beneficial relationship and am grateful for this opportunity for WCDP’s endorsement. | For the last year? Attending school board meetings, and spending hours on financial analysis of public schools data, then writing succinct 1–3-minute public comments on the most moving summaries of that work. I also contribute to a newsletter along these lines. I have met a fantastic and engaged culture of parents, teachers, students and others committed to doing right for our kids, teachers and public schools in Ann Arbor. | In early 2006, while working in Chicago, I became involved with MoveOn to support Democrats throughout the country. Often we’d get together and call voters to support Democrat candidates. The first one I think was to call into California voters to attempt to get Francine Busby in a Republican leaning district after a resignation. I did these for a few years.Around 2010, while living in New York I joined lists and events for Gen44, a young donor DNC network that spawned from Barrack Obama's election teams, and was often featuring Cory Booker, who at the time was a rising Democrat as the Newark Mayor. Those events were incredible. I continued "in person" MoveOn and Gen44 events through about 2013, until longer work hours and then starting a family made me become more exclusively a donor to Democrat causes until now.I was excited to attend the Washtenaw Dems garden party recently, and am invigorated to run for office now. | NO |
| Public Schools of the City of Ann Arbor - Board Member - Partial Term | Don Wilkerson | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | votedonwilkerson@gmail.com | Opportunity through EducationI am a product of public education. I grew up in poverty and my father passed away when I was 12. School became my family, opening doors that gave my kids more opportunity than I had. Education levels the playing field, and I've spent 15 years ensuring it does for every child here. As Treasurer & Trustee, I focused on financial stability that will let us retain great teachers and invest in strong programming. I've also volunteered in classrooms/coaching and on a nonprofit board for special education families.CommunityFor 15 years I've shown up as a coach, PTO/PTO Council leader, classroom volunteer, and Board member, because strong schools are built by people who stay engaged. I've met with teachers, families, and neighbors to ensure their voices shape decisions. As a citizen of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, environmental stewardship is core to how I view community. I've supported renewable energy and sustainable materials in our schools. | I've been actively involved in AAPS for 15 years, not as a newcomer, but as someone who has already shown up and done the work, and wants to finish what I started.I have direct board experience as Treasurer and Trustee, and I'm running to resume that work. I understand our budget and the tradeoffs the board faces every meeting.I bring real financial expertise: a Master of Accounting from Ross School of Business at U-M, a career as an audit and compliance executive, and CIA, CISA, and IIA Quality Assessor's Certificate designations, which is critical as we navigate teacher contract negotiations and funding decisions.I've also invested in school board–specific training most candidates haven't: 100 credit hours through MASB, earning the Level 2 Award of Merit and School Finance Certification Specialty award.Ann Arbor deserves proven experience, financial expertise, and specialized training. I've built that foundation and I'm ready to keep doing the work. | As a former Board Trustee and Treasurer, I used my office to build relationships and stay accessible, because good decisions start with good listening.I engaged directly with union groups and teachers, making sure I understood the realities teachers were facing, not just the numbers on a spreadsheet. I made it a priority to be open and eager to meet with community members — parents, educators, and neighbors — so their perspectives shaped my thinking before issues reached a vote.I showed up prepared for every meeting, having done the work to engage in real discussion rather than rubber-stamping decisions. I also built rapport with other public officials, because AAPS doesn't operate in isolation. Strong partnerships help us advocate more effectively for our schools.Throughout my time on the board, I advocated diligently for our community: pushing for financial transparency, supporting our teachers, and ensuring decisions reflected what families actually needed and wanted. | I've stayed engaged in Washtenaw County well beyond election season because community involvement shouldn't be seasonal. I've attended local events and made a point of connecting with stakeholders across the community — educators, parents, and civic leaders — to stay grounded in what our community actually needs and wants.I've also taken that advocacy to Lansing, traveling to the state capital to advocate directly for teachers and for stronger educational funding. Public education funding decisions made at the state level have a direct impact on what we can offer here in AAPS, so I believe it's important to show up and make our community's voice heard where those decisions are made, not just react to them after the fact.This ongoing engagement, in Washtenaw County and in Lansing, reflects how I approach public service generally: staying present, building relationships, and advocating diligently, whether or not there's an election on the calendar. | Mentorship has been a consistent thread throughout my life, both inside and outside AAPS.Through the American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) organization, I mentored a group of Native American students preparing for a business case competition, helping them sharpen their strategic thinking under real pressure. I also served as a one-on-one mentor through AIBL's advanced mentoring program, working directly with Native students to identify their strengths, review resumes, and talk through their goals and the steps to reach them.At the high school level, I've mentored students through programs like DECA, helping them build skills and confidence to compete and grow.Mentorship is also part of how I lead daily as an accounting and compliance professional — helping staff think through their careers and ensuring they have the tools and experiences to get there.Real mentorship means investing in people for the long haul, and that's the approach I bring to the AAPS Board. | I'm seeking the WCDP's endorsement because the values Washtenaw County Democrats stand for, opportunity through education and strong, engaged community, are the same values driving why I'm running.I believe access to a high-quality public education shouldn't depend on your zip code or your family's income. That's personal for me: public education changed the trajectory of my life, and I've spent 15+ years working to make sure it does the same for every child in AAPS.I also believe in showing up, listening to teachers, families, and neighbors before decisions get made, not after. As a former Board Trustee and Treasurer, I brought financial expertise and transparency to that work, and I've taken that commitment to advocacy in Lansing on behalf of teachers and educational funding.The WCDP's endorsement reflects a shared commitment to community, transparency, and opportunity for every family. I'd be honored to earn that support and keep doing this work alongside you. | Community involvement isn't occasional for me, it's a consistent, weekly commitment. As Board Trustee and Treasurer, I put in 10–20 hours a week beyond meetings: reviewing budget materials, meeting with staff and community members, and staying prepared to contribute to every decision. I attended community events regularly, not just ones on the board calendar, because staying connected to families and educators was essential to doing the job well.That commitment extends beyond my board time. For 15+ years, I've been a classroom volunteer, Science Olympiad and Rec & Ed coach, and Rick Dekeon Cross Country Kids Program Director. I've served in PTO and PTO Council leadership, and as a Board Director for a nonprofit supporting special education families. I've also mentored students through AIBL and DECA, and traveled to Lansing to advocate for teachers and funding.Civic engagement means consistently showing up, in the classroom, at the board table, and at the state capitol. | My focus has been on students and education, but I've long understood that supporting our schools means building relationships and advocacy well beyond the board table.I was a member of the Ann Arbor Citizens' Millage Committee, where I led advocacy efforts for two successful millage campaigns, work that directly secured critical funding for our schools. I'm also a member of the MDP Anishnaabek Caucus, and I've built relationships with city council members, state legislators, and state house representatives, because moving the needle for students requires partnerships across every level of government.I've traveled to Lansing to advocate directly for teachers and educational funding, and I've stayed engaged locally in Democratic initiatives supporting public education and our community's broader priorities.Supporting Democratic causes has never been about a single campaign or vote for me, it's about consistently showing up and building trust with the people who make decisions. | During divorce proceedings that I began approximately a year and a half ago, allegations were made against me as part of an escalating contested custody dispute. Those allegations were reviewed and dismissed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office. My divorce, including custody arrangements, remains in progress.I want to be transparent about this because I believe voters deserve honesty, not spin. I cooperated fully with the review process. The allegations were not substantiated, I maintain my innocence, and I remain focused on reaching a fair resolution for my family while continuing to serve this community with the same integrity I always have. |
| Chelsea School District - Board Member - Six Year Term | Heather Scott | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | heather4chelseaschools@gmail.com | The Democratic values that mean the most to me are equal opportunity, inclusion, and community responsibility.I believe every student deserves an excellent public education and the support needed to reach their potential, regardless of ability, background, family circumstances, interests, or plans after graduation. Through my community involvement, I have supported programs that help young people build skills, confidence, and belonging.Inclusion means listening to perspectives different from my own and treating everyone with dignity and respect. Through youth athletics, performing arts, and nonprofit service, I have worked to create welcoming environments where people feel valued and able to contribute.Community responsibility means recognizing that strong public schools benefit everyone. I practice this through volunteering, board and committee service, and support for organizations. Leadership means listening, preparing, collaborating, and helping the community move forward. | I bring a valuable combination of firsthand experience as a Chelsea parent, community involvement volunteer, nonprofit and board leadership, professional communications expertise, project and budget management experience, and a demonstrated willingness to do the work required to serve effectively.My involvement in Chelsea has included youth athletics, performing arts, nonprofit organizations, school-related activities, community communications, fundraising, event planning, and organizational leadership. These experiences have allowed me to work alongside students, parents, educators, volunteers, nonprofit leaders, business owners, and community members. They have also taught me how important clear expectations, responsible planning, respectful communication, and collaboration are to the success of any organization.I care deeply about public education and want to contribute meaningfully to the future of Chelsea schools. | I plan to serve the Chelsea School District community by being prepared, accessible, transparent, and focused on students.I will take the responsibility of board preparation seriously by reviewing meeting materials, financial reports, academic information, policies, community feedback, and relevant educational developments before decisions are made. I will ask questions respectfully and work to understand both the immediate and long-term consequences of board actions.My decisions will be guided by several questions: Does this support student learning and well-being? Is it equitable and inclusive? Is it financially responsible? Is it sustainable? Does it strengthen trust in the district? Have we listened to the people most affected? | During non-election years, I have stayed involved with the Washtenaw County Democratic Party and local Democratic efforts by supporting officials at community parades and events, and attending and supporting the annual Garden Party hosted by the Savages for several years. These experiences have helped me connect with local officials and candidates, volunteers, and community members while supporting year-round civic engagement and Democratic organizing throughout Washtenaw County. | Mentorship has been a meaningful part of my professional, volunteer, and community leadership.Through Chelsea Area Players and youth productions, I have supported younger participants and emerging volunteers as they learned about theater, teamwork, production responsibilities, leadership, and service. I have also helped adults take on unfamiliar responsibilities by creating processes, sharing information, answering questions, and giving them the tools and confidence to succeed.As a parent and youth-program volunteer, I regularly encourage young people to advocate for themselves, communicate respectfully, take responsibility for their commitments, and recognize their own capacity to lead. | School board is a nonpartisan office, and I will have a responsibility to represent every student, family, staff member, and resident in the Chelsea School District. At the same time, voters deserve to understand the values a candidate will bring to public service. I believe public schools should welcome and support every student, protect access to educational opportunity, respect educators and staff, use public resources responsibly, and prepare young people to participate in a diverse democracy.The WCDP endorsement would communicate that I am committed to these principles and that I am prepared to protect strong public schools at a time when public education faces significant political, financial, and cultural pressures.I would also value the opportunity to build stronger relationships with Democrats throughout the County, learn from experienced public servants and community advocates, and contribute to efforts that encourage civic participation. | Community involvement is a central part of my life. I have served in leadership and volunteer roles with Chelsea Area Players, including board, production, and youth-program responsibilities. These roles have involved budgeting, volunteer coordination, program planning, fundraising, marketing, problem-solving, and creating meaningful arts opportunities for people of different ages.I have also been deeply involved in youth athletics, particularly hockey, lacrosse, and volleyball. My responsibilities have included team operations, communications, scheduling, registration, event coordination, fundraising, scorekeeping, program development, and supporting coaches, players, and families.These experiences have strengthened my connection to Chelsea and taught me that community service often occurs behind the scenes. I am running for school board because I am ready to bring that same service-oriented approach to the governance of Chelsea schools. | My involvement has included participating in voter-contact efforts, including distributing voter guides, writing postcards to encourage voter participation and support Democratic candidates. I have also shared reliable election information, encouraged friends and community members to vote, followed local and state issues, and supported candidates and organizations aligned with my values.I believe local elections matter tremendously. School boards, township boards, city councils, county offices, and other local positions make decisions that directly affect people’s daily lives.I also believe support for Democratic values should be reflected in year-round community service. My commitment to public education, inclusion, community programs, nonprofit service, and opportunities for young people is part of how I put those values into practice outside an election cycle. | No |
| Chelsea School District - Board Member - Six Year Term | Sara Tracy | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | tracyforcsd@gmail.com | Diversity and inclusion are core values for me. As a parent of three young children, I actively encourage them to build friendships across differences, and I model that by cultivating diverse relationships myself. We talk openly about how every person deserves kindness, respect, and understanding, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or ability. I also support candidates who uphold these values and explain to my children why equity matters in our community.I also strongly believe in affordable, universal healthcare. As someone who works in healthcare, I see firsthand how medical debt harms families, and I believe access to care is essential for a healthy society. I share these views with my family and friends and actively support local, state, and national candidates who champion healthcare access for all.These values guide how I show up as a parent, a community member, and a public health professional. | I am the best candidate for this position because I bring a combination of board experience, professional expertise, and direct connection to the students we serve. As the current Secretary of the School Board, I have spent the last year and a half actively performing board responsibilities and engaging in the governance work that keeps our district moving forward.As a parent of three young children in the district, I have a daily, firsthand understanding of what our students experience and what families need from our schools.And as a project manager and healthcare professional, I bring strengths in data evaluation, process improvement, policy development, and awareness of broader issues impacting student wellbeing. Together, these perspectives allow me to make informed, student centered decisions and serve our district with clarity, accountability, and commitment. | I have used my position on the School Board to actively connect with parents across the district to understand their concerns and identify issues that directly affect their children’s experience. By bringing these concerns forward and collaborating with both families and district administrators, I have helped address longstanding facility and maintenance issues to improve the day to day environment in our buildings.I have also worked to increase transparency by helping constituents understand how the board operates and how they can effectively engage with both the board and district leadership. This has empowered families to raise issues, ensure their concerns are heard, and prevent problems from being overlooked. | As a currently elected office holder, I am involved with students in our district and county on a daily basis. | Over my three decade career, I’ve mentored many colleagues, but a recent example is the onboarding of a new board member following an unexpected vacancy. I met with them to walk through the structure of a typical board agenda, explain how meetings are conducted, and clarify the overarching responsibilities of board service. This helped them participate more confidently and effectively in their early meetings.I also served as an ongoing resource, answering questions about district operations, policies, and processes as they arose. School board work is complex and often requires significant time to learn, so by supporting this member, I helped shorten their ramp up period and strengthen our board’s overall effectiveness. | I am seeking the endorsement of the WCDP to ensure that voters understand my commitment to Democratic policies as well as highlight the work that I have been able to accomplish to date in my elected role. | I engage with my community as a parent volunteer at a variety of student activities, including sports events, theater, and the arts. As an elected representative, I participate in outreach efforts such as senior interviews, student demonstrations, fundraising, and collaboration with our local senior center. These activities allow me to connect directly with students, parents, and residents, listen to their concerns, and strengthen communication between the district and the broader community.I also contribute through my involvement in our local water sports community, where I’ve spent the last two years helping bridge communication between that group and the district. By identifying needs, educating community members on the bond funding process, and highlighting the importance of aquatic facility improvements, I’ve helped drive discussions about future planning and investment. | In our previous district school board election (2022) I personally supported three of the four candidate by donating customized promotional material to their campaigns and working closely with them to promote their candidacies. Additionally, I volunteered on the 2020 election as a phone volunteer. | No |
| Chelsea School District - Board Member - Partial Term | Nicolia Heineman | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | nicoliaforcsd@gmail.com | Two major Democratic Party values that mean the most to me are diversity and inclusion. As an African American solo parent, these values shape my daily life and how I show up in my community. I believe every student and family deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, so I advocate for policies that reflect the diverse identities and experiences within our district. I support culturally responsive practices and work to ensure representation in decision‑making spaces. Inclusion is equally important to me. I push for systems that are accessible and welcoming to all families, elevate voices that are often overlooked, and promote environments where every student feels they belong and can thrive. These values guide my leadership and my commitment to honoring every child’s potential. | I am the best candidate for this position because I bring a rare combination of lived experience, proven board involvement, and professional skill. As an African American solo parent, I understand the importance of inclusive, equitable policies that support every family. Over the past 13 months as an appointed trustee, I’ve already been doing the work — engaging in board operations, reviewing policy, and advocating for student‑centered decisions.My background as a director of project management gives me strong governance oversight, policy formulation, system optimization, and large‑scale budget stewardship skills, all essential for effective board leadership. Combined with my foundation in Secondary Education – English, I bring both organizational expertise and an understanding of classroom needs.Together, these experiences make me a steady, informed, and student‑focused leader prepared to continue serving our district well. | As a current trustee, I’ve used my position to strengthen transparency, elevate underrepresented voices, and ensure students remain the focus of every decision. Over the past 13 months, I’ve been actively involved in policy review, budget discussions, and board operations, consistently advocating for practices that support equity, inclusion, and long‑term stability.I’ve also used my role to bring forward the perspective of an African American solo parent, helping broaden conversations around accessibility, family engagement, and student well‑being. By asking critical questions, encouraging community input, and prioritizing responsible stewardship of district resources, I’ve worked to make our district more responsive to the needs of all families. | As a sitting trustee, I work directly with students and community members throughout the district and county on a daily basis. | I’ve mentored others both through a formal professional mentor program and in my role as a hiring manager. In the mentor program, I supported emerging project managers by helping them set goals, build confidence, and navigate organizational challenges. As a hiring manager, I guide new team members through onboarding, skill development, and growth opportunities, ensuring they have the support they need to succeed. | I’m seeking the WCDP endorsement to demonstrate my commitment to Democratic values and to highlight the work I’ve already accomplished in my elected role. | I stay actively engaged in my community through both volunteer work and my responsibilities as a trustee. As a parent volunteer, I regularly support school activities and help strengthen connections between families and the district. In my role as the Board liaison to Chelsea High School and North Creek Elementary, I meet with building leadership, listen to student and staff needs, and help ensure their perspectives are represented at the Board level. These roles allow me to contribute directly to the well‑being of our schools and maintain strong, consistent relationships across the district. | I have consistently supported Democratic candidates and causes through direct engagement in local elections. Most recently, I supported candidates in the 2025 mayoral race as well as Democratic‑aligned city council members, helping elevate leaders whose values align with equity, inclusion, and community‑focused governance. My involvement includes showing up at local events, sharing information within my networks, and staying connected to the issues shaping our community. These efforts reflect my ongoing commitment to Democratic principles and to strengthening local leadership that represents all residents. | no, I have not |
| Dexter Community Schools - Board Member | Elise Bruderly | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | eliseleeann@comcast.net | My social work values guide my interactions with the world and my work on the Board of Education. The social work profession has six core values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. In the work of a school board Trustee, this means that I show up to meetings prepared and knowledgeable about the decisions before me. It means that I care about the opportunities available to each student and the supports that are in place to help each student reach their full potential. Most importantly, it means that I use my voice and position to make decisions that lead to high student achievement and well-being on behalf of the community I serve. | I am a candidate who has put the time and effort into continuing education about the vast array of topics that school board members need to understand- everything from curriculum and policy to finance and legislative issues. I am a candidate who understands that our community is passionate about the role of schools in our children’s lives and I try to navigate differing opinions and desires with respect and understanding. | Over the past 6 years of this school board term, there have been a number of societal issues to navigate. I have approached difficult topics with curiosity and openness, understanding that hearing all of the voices in the community is the first step towards reaching decisions that are in the best interest of students. I believe that I have developed trust with my constituents. Dexter schools is on a solid path with more opportunities for student growth and achievement each year. I look forward to seeing this trend continue. | As someone who holds a non-partisan elected office, I have been careful to keep my individual politics separate from my public life. I believe I can best do my work as a Board Trustee if my community understands me as someone who is open to ideas. While my personal values and goals align with the Democratic party, I have worked hard to navigate all of the values present in my community when considering decisions at the Board table. | I am currently the most senior member of the Dexter Community Schools Board of Education. In my role as Trustee and as Board President I have connected with other Board Members and community members to provide education and background about the role of Board members as well as the rationale for decisions made at the Board table. I have further been part of the Washtenaw Association of School Boards, working with my colleagues from around the county and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. | I was fortunate to be endorsed by the WCDP in my first run for office in 2020. That was a difficult election cycle for a first time candidate and I was eager to find ways to share my platform and become known to voters in socially-distanced ways. Over the last six years, I have come to value the non-partisan status of a Board of Education trustee and the honest truth is that I wasn’t sure if I should seek the WCDP endorsement this election cycle. However, I value the role that the WCDP voter’s guide plays for individuals who don’t have kids in school- and I know that one day I, too, will look to the guide to understand who is running for school board. For that reason, I would like voters to know that I am someone who cares deeply about each student. | Being the School Board President is a very time-intensive roll. I have poured my time and efforts into individual education, district committee work, county-level work, and community engagement as part of my role. | My personal political values have always aligned with Democratic candidates. I have supported with financial contributions and personal recommendations as I have been inspired over the years. | No |
| Manchester Community Schools - Board Member - Four Year Term | Christopher M. Caron | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | ccaron93@gmail.com | Equity & Educational Opportunity: Every child deserves tailored instruction and robust support so families never feel compelled to leave Manchester. Through my volunteer coaching in Manchester Soccer and Chelsea Hockey, I practice this by ensuring every child receives equal encouragement, skill development, and opportunity to succeed regardless of baseline ability.Supporting Educators: Strong schools depend on investing in teachers as skilled professionals. We must attract top talent, fund innovative professional development, and build internal growth pathways. Having a spouse in public education gives me a daily perspective on classroom realities and the importance of an empowering workplace culture.Public Stewardship: Managing taxpayer dollars requires data-driven discipline. As a Ford benchmarking engineer, I analyze complex budgets, eliminate inefficiencies, and maximize resources. On the board, I will ensure general fund and bond dollars deliver maximum value to our students. | I am the best candidate for Trustee because I bring a unique combination of engineering discipline and a parent's daily investment in our district. My career as a competitive benchmarking engineer specializing in systems architecture has trained me to approach complex problems logically, analyze root causes, and evaluate decisions objectively.Beyond my professional background, I am rooted in Manchester as an MCS parent, the spouse of a district educator, a youth coach, and an active resident. Blending my technical toolkit with my personal experience gives me a foundation for school board governance. I understand how to evaluate challenges from every angle and gather input across all stakeholder groups to reach data-informed solutions.To me, data includes not only fiscal metrics and test scores, but also the real-world experiences of our educators and the satisfaction of our students and families. I plan to bring this collaborative approach to drive continuous improvement for MCS. | As a first-time candidate, my plan to serve is rooted in establishing top-level governance that stabilizes enrollment, optimizes our budget, and elevates academic performance. While day-to-day operations are managed by administration, effective trustees provide the strategic vision, policy framework, and fiscal oversight necessary for continuous district improvement.. My focus rests on three key levers. First is core academic excellence: selecting and supporting innovative, high-quality, and data-proven curricula that serve every student from Young 5s through graduation. The primary step in growing enrollment is retaining families who start their journeys in Manchester through academic quality. Second is talent attraction and retention: creating a supportive workplace where highly qualified educators grow and remain in our classrooms. Finally, rigorous fiscal stewardship: applying analytical discipline to our general fund and bond dollars. Sustainable programs require a solvent budget. | Since making Washtenaw County our family's home in 2022, my community involvement has been rooted in grassroots service, local conservation, and youth sports development across Western Washtenaw. We have loved exploring the area, from supporting local small businesses and attending events at the University of Michigan to participating in regional programs like the Washtenaw County Conservation District's annual tree sale.To directly serve local families, I immediately stepped up to coach in our youth sports programs. I served as Head Coach for 7U recreational soccer with the Manchester Soccer Association. Since then, I transitioned into volunteer coaching with the Chelsea Hockey Association (BIGGBY Hockey Club), supporting kids across the 6U, 8U, and 9U travel levels. Mentoring young athletes, teaching teamwork, and building relationships with parents is how I practice active, non-partisan community stewardship. | Mentorship is a cornerstone of my career at Ford Motor Company and my community involvement across Western Washtenaw. As a senior engineer, I actively support interns and early-career engineers. Beyond technical standards and systems architecture, I guide young professionals through career growth, offer constructive feedback, and build cross-functional relationships to help them navigate complex challenges.On the ice with Chelsea Bulldogs Hockey and on the pitch with Manchester Soccer, mentoring young athletes goes beyond physical mechanics. I focus on building mental fortitude, character, and sportsmanship, teaching kids to handle adversity and support their teammates.Crucially, this mentorship extends to adults. I guide assistant coaches on practice planning and help parents navigate long-term player development models. Whether in engineering or youth sports, effective mentorship builds a supportive community where everyone is equipped to succeed. | Public education is the cornerstone of strong, resilient communities, and its impact is especially pronounced in smaller, rural districts like Manchester. I am seeking the endorsement of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party because our shared values align on the vital importance of equal educational opportunity, sustained investment in public schools, and transparent, accountable governance.As a benchmarking engineer, parent, and youth coach, I bring an analytical, collaborative perspective to the boardroom table. My goal is to work constructively alongside fellow trustees to strengthen our district’s foundation through strong academic standards, long-term fiscal solvency, and open decision-making. By aligning sound governance with an unwavering commitment to public education, we can stabilize enrollment, support our educators, and elevate Manchester Community Schools into the thriving community pillar that all of our children and families deserve. | The community is central to our family’s life in Manchester. My primary contribution has been to serve area families as a volunteer coach for both youth soccer and hockey. On the school front, as an MCS parent, I regularly participate in district events like Math & Science and Literacy Nights, Trunk or Treat, and the Glow Party at Klager and Riverside. Across the community, I love taking part in local traditions—whether paddling in the annual Canoe and Kayak race or picking up a box at the Manchester Chicken Broil every summer. Having grown up in a small town, what I love about Manchester is that it takes the best memories of my childhood and levels them up, from our incredible community-wide Halloween traditions to our shared civic pride. Serving on the Board of Education is my way of giving back to the community that has welcomed our family. I want to do my part to ensure our school system appropriately serves the people who live here, creating a place where every child thrives. | My support for Democratic causes is rooted in a fundamental belief that strong public infrastructure and reliable community services are essential to supporting working families and building thriving communities. In a local context, that commitment centers on advocating for robust public education funding, accessible vocational pathways, and transparent stewardship of taxpayer dollars.I have consistently supported local and regional ballot initiatives that strengthen our public institutions, including my support for the 2025 Washtenaw ISD CTE Millage to expand hands-on career training, as well as local investments like the 2023 MCS Bond to maintain safe, modern learning environments for our students. Investing in high-quality public education directly lessens the burden on working parents. By balancing academic opportunity with disciplined fiscal management, we ensure taxpayer dollars deliver maximum long-term value for Manchester families. | No. |
| Manchester Community Schools - Board Member - Partial Term | Logan Caszatt | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | logan.caszatt@gmail.com | N/A | Our board needs collaborative leaders who will continue to creatively problem solve and put the needs of students, their families, and our teachers first. I graduated from this district and received an incredible education that provided me opportunities to study abroad before my senior year, and successfully prepared me for college where I graduated with honors. I see our district's potential and want to be an active part of restoring it for the future generations. With new state regulations regarding curriculum, I believe that my M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction will be incredibly beneficial to ensure our students are provided the best curriculum and receive the best education possible. I have also previously worked in this district and have seen areas that need to be strengthened to ensure it is a positive learning and working environment for all. | I plan to serve my constituents by listening to them and advocating for their wants and needs in our district. I plan to always put the students, families, and the teachers first. Parents and former colleagues are regularly bumping into me in the community and expressing their thoughts and concerns. I figured now was as good as time as any to jump on board and ensure their voices are heard- to bring positive change to our district. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Volunteering- primarily as coach but also at school-based functions. I regularly attend community events where I get to interact with members of the community, students, former students, and their families. | N/A | No. |
| Milan Area Schools - Board Member - 6 Year Term | Gabe Burdette | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | gabeburdetteformilanschools@gmail.com | Diversity: School board members are responsible for overseeing the education of all students, and I take that seriously. Every person has a unique lived experience. The willingness to listen humbly and consider individual experiences brings valuable perspective that helps me to represent the people I have been called to serve. Every viewpoint has merit. By listening to our community and practicing financial transparency and accessibility, I can better understand the benefits and consequences of board decisions before voting on major budget items. Promotion of Human Thriving: Leading with financial transparency and accessibility creates opportunities for strategic, collaborative, financial management. As a person who benefited from a public education, it’s important to me that public schools have the resources needed to provide the best for everyone. When school financial data is accessible to everyone, we can use those findings to better support student and teacher success together. | All school funding comes from tax dollars. As a finance professional, I believe the school board has a responsibility to inform taxpayers on how their hard-earned money is being put to work. As a proud Milan resident of almost 20 years, a longtime MAS parent, volunteer, and current MAS Board Trustee, I am invested in the future of MAS and it’s my goal to make our school finances transparent, accessible, and approachable to everyone. | I have spent considerable time educating myself on how school financials differ from other organizations. Applying my recent learnings to my professional background has highlighted the importance of educating our community in our local school’s finances. As a current officeholder, I review the school financial details monthly, and I do not hesitate to ask our school administration about complex and sensitive issues. I encouraged the Board of Education to conduct regular Finance Committee meetings outside of regular Board meetings, which we now take advantage of as a Board. As a part of my campaign, I have collected financial data obtained from the MAS website and converted it into an approachable visual with positive feedback from the community. | I have years of volunteer experience coaching developmental soccer with the Milan Youth Soccer Club. I have held volunteer positions for the Symons Elementary PTO, the Milan High School Girls Soccer Team, the Milan High School Sunshine Club as treasurer, and I currently coach as a volunteer for the Milan High School Football Team. After becoming appointed Trustee on the Milan Area Schools Board of Education in December of 2024, I obtained Level One and Level Two Merit certificates from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and a Finance Certification from the MASB. I also have over 24 years of experience as a high school football coach, with many of those years having been at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. | In all my years as a parent volunteer and coach, I have found that mentoring young people goes beyond teaching basic skills of a game. Successful outcomes are a product of modeling hard work, collaboration, and discipline. The best part of being a mentor is when a mentee takes the time to share their big and small success stories with you. It brightens my day whenever I run into an athlete I have coached in the past, and they tell me the goals they have achieved after graduating high school. | For a little over a year-and-a-half, I have been actively learning what it means to be an effective MAS Board Trustee- I have a lot of important work that I want to do, and I’m just getting started! It is my mission to restore community trust through clear, jargon-free financial reporting and responsible budgeting that respects taxpayers, serves students, and teachers. An endorsement of the WCDP would allow my mission to be considered by Milan residents that I have yet to reach. | I have spent many years volunteering in the Milan community. I have coached developmental soccer with the Milan Youth Soccer Club, I have served as treasurer for the Symons Elementary PTO, the Milan High School Girls Soccer Team, and the Milan High School Sunshine Club. I am a parent who cooks team meals, volunteers in the concession stands, chaperones on field trips, attends Milan Cares community clean ups, and drives long distances to show support to my children, their friends, and classmates in their extracurricular endeavors. Recently, I have been having lots of fun serving as a volunteer coach for the Milan High School Football Team. | I vote in favor of causes that have a positive impact on the entire community, and Democratic candidates tend to share my beliefs and values, which are demonstrated in the Milan Area Schools boardroom and in my way of life. I have voted, “yes” to every school bond, sinking fund request, and every city tax increase to support better utilities, library services and services for senior citizens in the community. When we step up to help others, everyone thrives. | No |
| Milan Area Schools - Board Member - 6 Year Term | Angela Chidester | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | hulla@umich.edu | Civil Rights & Inclusion--I champion the rights of all people, and participate in outreach when I can. I support efforts for expanding voter access, and oppose efforts for voter suppression. Environmental Protection--Climate change is real, I embrace renewable energy in every aspect of my life. We recycle everything my city allows. Every time my Cub Scouts have an outing, we bring plastic bags to gather garbage along the way. We also participate in our town's Milan Cares clean-ups each year. Public Safety & Immigration--I support common sense gun laws and humane immigration reform. All Americans deserve to live free from violence. We should also have common-sense immigration laws and fair enforcement, with humanity and dignity. There should be no targeting or killing of innocent people in the streets. | I am here to fulfill the job. I don't have an agenda, and I don't have vengeance. I want to fulfill the duty of taking care of the students, families and teachers of the Milan Area School System. We are a community. And we can only accomplish goals and move forward when we work together, and listen to one another. | I plan to make myself available to listen to my constituents, and to hear their voices. In every voice, you can find common ground. And when you find common ground, you can bring their voice back to your board and help them. | I have donated to politicians in the past. I have volunteered with local politicians. | I am a Merit Badge counselor, mentoring Scouts in specific areas of study. I have mentored Scouts in the NOVA program as well, which focuses specifically on STEM subject achievements. | With the support of the WCDP, my voice can reach further, and be heard by many more people than my efforts alone could achieve. | I am a member of my local American Legion Auxiliary, I am a trustee of the Greater Milan Area Community Foundation, I am currently the Charter Organization Rep for both the Milan Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and I am the mom of a Milan High School Bowler and help out when I can. | I am a vocal and financial supporter of all Democratic candidates and causes, since before I could vote. I proudly display yard signs and wear t-shirts, because no effort is too small when it comes to showing support. | None. |
| Milan Area Schools - Board Member - 6 Year Term | George Elder IV | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | georgee306@gmail.com | Social equality, government action | I believe I would be a strong candidate for this position because I am more than just a hardworking individual—I am a go-getter and a goal achiever. I take initiative, stay motivated, and work hard to accomplish the goals I set. I am always willing to learn, adapt, and go the extra mile to contribute to the success of the team and the organization | believe I would be a strong candidate because I listen to the community, seek out answers, and stand up for what is right. I value hearing different perspectives, communicating openly, and working with others to find solutions. I am committed to representing people fairly and making decisions that benefit the community. | 8 years | I have mentored and supported others by serving as a foster parent and caring for foster children. I actively give back to my community by participating in community cleanups, attending community events, and regularly speaking at school board meetings. I have also worked with our local biker group to help install Buddy Benches in four different school districts to support kindness, inclusion, friendship, and suicide prevention by helping ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and connected. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, compassion, and commitment to serving others. I am passionate about promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and helping create communities where people know they are not alone and where support is always encouraged | i am seeking your endorsement because I am committed to serving my community and making a positive difference. Your endorsement would help me reach more voters and earn the opportunity | I have actively supported my community by donating food for community events and participating in community cleanups. I have also donated money to help purchase Buddy Benches for four school districts to promote kindness, inclusion, and suicide prevention. In addition, I make an effort to stay involved in school activities and support programs that benefit students and families. I am committed to giving back and helping build a stronger, more connected community | I have dedicated my time and energy to serving my community through volunteer work, advocacy, and civic engagement as a democrat | No |
| Milan Area Schools - Board Member - 6 Year Term | Thomas Faro | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | info@faroformilanschools.org | Defending human rights, preserving our democracy, and fighting for equality are the values that matter most to me. I practice these values by working to ensure all students and staff are supported and have the opportunity to succeed. I am committed to advocating for equitable funding, listening to our community, and collaborating with policymakers to address the diverse needs of our schools and students. | I am interested in serving on the school board because every student deserves access to a high-quality public education and the opportunities that come with it. Serving our district has been a meaningful way for me to give back to the community and support the students, families, and staff who make it strong.Through my experience as Trustee, Treasurer, Vice President, and Board President, I have seen the positive impact that thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to doing what is best for students can have. I am dedicated to listening to our community, working together to address challenges, and helping ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. | I have been especially mindful of representing and supporting all students and staff. I have also drawn on my professional experience to help the district with short- and long-term planning, budgeting, and responsible stewardship of district resources to support student success. | I actively support WCDP candidates running for elected office throughout our county and proactively engage with elected officials, candidates, and community leaders. | Our Board has experienced several vacancies since 2020, and I have made myself available to support new Board Members as they transition into their roles. I answer questions, address concerns, listen to suggestions, and share my experience to help new members feel confident and prepared. I have personally mentored several Board Members by connecting with them by phone, meeting one-on-one, and attending school and community events together. I believe every Board Member brings valuable perspectives and experiences that strengthen our work. I also continue to learn from my colleagues as we collaborate to serve our students, families, and community. | I am seeking the WCDP’s endorsement because I share its values and commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community. By listening to stakeholders, collaborating with others, and remaining focused on the needs of our community, we can work together to achieve meaningful results for the people we serve. | I was elected to the Milan Area Schools Board of Education in 2020 and have had the opportunity to serve our district in several leadership roles, including Trustee, Treasurer, Vice President, and now Board President. Through these roles, I have worked to support students, families, staff, and the broader community. I am also a member of the City’s Senior Advisory Committee and served as President of the Uptown Village HOA from 2019 to 2026, where I worked to foster community connections and address the needs of residents. | Within WCDP, I have actively supported Democratic candidates who reflect my values and commitment to our community. I supported Reggie Miller for State Representative and appreciated her advocacy for our district, city, and schools. I am now supporting Shannon Dare-Wayne for the same role and also respect and support State Senator Jeff Irwin and his service to our community. | No |
| Saline Area Schools - Board Member - Four Year Term | Christy Lillie | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | christylilliesas@gmail.com | Equal opportunity and respect for every person.Every child deserves a quality education and the resources needed to succeed. As the parent of six children, I have seen how important it is to recognize each child’s strengths and needs. Our family tries to live this value through our actions, not just our words. A few years ago, we hosted a boy from Burkina Faso who came to the US for medical care and a prosthetic leg. We could not create equal opportunity in his life, but we helped provide medical care unavailable at home.Respect for every person is deeply personal to me. Our family includes children of different racial backgrounds, and my oldest, now in college, is transgender. Parenting them has shown me how much it matters for students to feel safe, seen, and supported. We support policies and practices that help every child feel that way. Schools should welcome differing viewpoints and help children discuss them respectfully, but the dignity of each child is not up for debate. | I bring a unique mix of leadership, financial expertise, and firsthand experience as the parent of six Saline students with different backgrounds, strengths, and needs.Financial stewardship is a core school board responsibility. During my 25-year career in senior leadership roles in banking and technology, I led teams and managed budgets exceeding $100 million, larger than Saline Area Schools' general fund. I was accountable for long-term planning, controls, risk management, and difficult decisions.As a parent, I have experienced the district through academics, athletics, the arts, STEM, IEP meetings, and parent conferences. That perspective taught me that treating every child fairly does not always mean treating every child exactly the same. Meeting each child's needs sometimes requires different support.I am running to preserve what works, provide oversight, plan responsibly, and help the district improve. I will listen, ask thoughtful questions, and serve our kid well. | If elected, I will serve the entire community. I will listen carefully to students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members before making decisions, and I will work to understand differing perspectives.Effective governance requires preparation, curiosity, transparency, and collaboration. I will come to meetings informed, ask thoughtful questions, rely on data and evidence, and work respectfully with fellow board members and district leadership to make decisions in the best interests of students.I also believe constituents deserve accessibility and accountability. People should be able to reach out with questions or concerns and trust that I will listen thoughtfully and respond respectfully, even when we disagree. Above all, I will remain focused on giving every student the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. | I have not previously been active in the WCDP. For much of my adult life, I was balancing my career with raising six children, so my community involvement centered more on schools, young people, and service than on formal political organizations.In Saline, I have coached middle school water polo, and served on various boards in leadership and financial roles within the district, my neighborhood, church, and community organizations. Now that I am retired, I have the time and desire to become more engaged in local civic life. I look forward to building a relationship with the WCDP and contributing more actively to the broader Washtenaw County community. | Mentoring and developing people was one of the most meaningful parts of my 25-year career. Over the years, I participated in identity- and interest-based employee networking groups. I learned that the strongest mentoring relationships develop naturally through trust, shared interests, and genuine connection.To put that philosophy into practice, I helped facilitate a new six-week pilot mentoring cohort. Participants met weekly for guided conversations about their experiences, goals, and stories. By the end, they identified natural mentor-mentee relationships or connected with others who were a better fit.I managed a team of more than 50 people and connected employees with mentors and development opportunities while coaching colleagues through difficult decisions, expanded responsibilities, and leadership transitions.Most importantly, I created an environment where people felt supported and challenged to grow, recognize their strengths, build confidence, and become leaders. | I am seeking the WCDP endorsement because I believe strong public schools are fundamental to strong communities, and I share the Party's commitment to protecting and strengthening public education, teachers, and students.I believe every student should have access to excellent schools, outstanding educators, and a learning environment where they feel respected, supported, and safe. I also believe school board members should lead with integrity, transparency, collaboration, responsible stewardship, and respect for the entire community.I recognize that an endorsement reflects both shared values and confidence in a candidate's ability to serve effectively. If endorsed, I will work hard to earn that confidence by being a thoughtful, prepared, and accessible board member who listens carefully, makes data-informed decisions, and keeps students at the center of every decision. | With six children, I have been involved in the commnity through sports, STEAM, schools, churches, and groups, always building treasured relationships with friends, educators, coaches, and neighbors. Our family is active in swimming. For the past 4 years, I have coached Saline Middle School water polo, helping athletes build confidence, teamwork, and accountability. Two of our children work at the Travis Pointe pool, and all have lovingly participated in the program over the years. At Huron Valley Swim Club, I previously served as President & Treasurer. I have also served as Treasurer of my neighborhood and now the Girls’ Water Polo Team.We have led church Small Groups and provided respite foster care for friends. I also have served on the board as Treasurer of Yunnan Kids International, a nonprofit supporting foster children and families in rural China.We are also proud supporters of the Foundation for Saline Area Schools and the support it has provided to teachers and students. | My support for Democratic values is reflected in the issues I have consistently advocated for in our local schools: equity for every student, policies that protect dignity and opportunity, and responsible investment. That work, grounded in my experience as a parent, is part of what led me to run for this role.I want to be candid that I have not previously been deeply involved in formal party or campaign work. My focus was on balancing my career with raising my children, so most of my political participation was as a consistent voter and advocate for policies reflecting my values. I previously lived in a state with closed primaries and proudly was a registered Democrat, and I have attended events in supporting candidates who share those values.Now that I am retired, I have the time and drive to do more. Running for the Board is an important step in that next chapter, and I look forward to building relationships with Democratic leaders and organizations throughout the county. | No. I have not been accused or convicted of any wrongdoing or character-related issue that I believe could cast a shadow over my campaign, the office, or the WCDP. |
| Saline Area Schools - Board Member - Four Year Term | Carl Spina | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | carlspina@gmail.com | One value I see as relevant is that government is the work that we do together, and I demonstrated this in leading contract negotiations for the teachers in my district. I worked with colleagues and the district's administration team to solve shared problems, and I showed a strong ability find solutions that both sides supported. Together, we created work rules, benefits, and salaries that represented the values of our community, students, teachers, and administrators, allowing our public school to excel.I also believe government should promote human thriving. I demonstrated this in my interactions with students, athletes, and my own children, where I encouraged them to consider how government programs that are sometimes labeled over-regulation or welfare are designed to help everyone thrive. | My twenty-five years of experience as a teacher, coach, and union leader have given me deep insight into how our district works; I know the structures, struggles, and strengths of this district extremely well. In addition, I have studied school finance in Michigan and Saline for over two decades; I know where the money comes from, where it goes, and I am familiar with trends in enrollment, MPSERS expenses, and line items that impact Saline's operations. | I will provide informed, thoughtful decision-making, using my knowledge of this community, policy, law, and school finance to provide leadership and direction that recognizes our struggles and focuses the district on thriving into the future. | I have not been involved in WCDP in non-election years. | Mentorship was a part of my daily coaching plans, and I am proud of the extensive work I have done helping the young men I coached to understand the meaning of leadership. Specifically, I taught that leadership is using your position of power to help others instead of enriching yourself, and that when you help others, everybody is enriched. | I am seeking the endorsement of the WCDP because I believe I am a qualified and quality candidate for Saline's school board. The WCDP has a wide reach and significant impact, and the WCDP endorsement is a statement of quality and qualification, and that will be important to helping me win a seat in November. | My primary way of engaging with my community has been through my coaching roles, where I work with many young men and help them to understand leadership and their potential to impact the lives of people around them. Part of our team vision was that our athletes would mentor in such powerful ways, the entire community of Saline would be better because of our efforts. | My primary ways of supporting Democratic candidates has been voting for and providing financial support. In the fall of 2011, I co-organized a canvasing campaign for an MEA-supported candidate for school board. | No. |
| Ypsilanti Community Schools - Board Member | Yvonne Fields | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | vote4fields26@gmail.com | Three Democratic values that guide my work are equity, public service, and opportunity. I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, regardless of their background or zip code, and I have dedicated my public service to supporting policies that expand opportunities for students and families. I also believe in service above self. Through my work with the Washtenaw County Black Caucus, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and the Board of Elevation Youth Corp, I support civic engagement, youth development, and community service. Finally, I value inclusion and believe the best decisions are made by listening to diverse voices, building partnerships, and ensuring every member of our community has the opportunity to be heard and succeed. | I am the best candidate because I bring proven leadership, experience, and a record of results. During my six years on the Ypsilanti Community Schools Board of Education, I helped eliminate the district's long-standing debt while keeping students at the center of every decision. As Chair of the Communications Subcommittee, a member of the Finance & Budget Subcommittee, and a delegate to the Michigan Association of School Boards, I have worked to strengthen transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. As a proud mother and grandmother of recent and past Ypsilanti Community Schools graduates, I understand the importance of providing every student with the opportunities they need to succeed. I am committed to building on our progress and ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. | As a current Ypsilanti Community Schools Trustee, I have worked to make decisions that strengthen our schools while remaining accountable to the community. I helped eliminate the district's long-standing debt, supporting long-term financial stability and allowing greater investment in students and classrooms. Through my service on the Finance & Budget Subcommittee, I have promoted responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and transparent financial oversight. As Chair of the Communications Subcommittee, I have worked to improve communication and community engagement. I remain accessible to parents, students, staff, and residents, listening to their concerns and advocating for policies that support academic achievement, safe learning environments, and opportunities that prepare every student for success. | My commitment to Washtenaw County extends well beyond election years through year-round service to students, families, and the community. As a Trustee for the Ypsilanti Community Schools Board of Education, I work continuously to strengthen public education, promote fiscal responsibility, and engage residents on issues affecting our schools. I am an active member of the Washtenaw County Black Caucus, where I collaborate with community leaders to advocate for equity, opportunity, and civic engagement. I also serve on the Board of Elevation Youth Corp, supporting programs that empower and develop young people. Whether through community events, educational initiatives, or partnerships that benefit families, I believe public service is an ongoing responsibility. I remain committed to listening, building relationships, and working year-round to improve opportunities for all Washtenaw County residents. | Mentoring has always been an important part of my commitment to service. Through my work with Elevation Youth Corp, I have supported programs that help young people develop leadership skills, build confidence, and prepare for future educational and career opportunities. As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, I support youth development through the sorority's youth auxiliary programs, encouraging young girls to pursue academic excellence, leadership, and community service. As a Board of Education Trustee, I also mentor aspiring community leaders and encourage students to become civically engaged by participating in school and community leadership opportunities. I believe mentoring is about listening, encouraging, and helping others recognize and reach their full potential. | I am seeking the endorsement of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party because I share its commitment to strong public education, equity, opportunity, transparency, and responsible leadership. As a current Ypsilanti Community Schools Trustee, I have worked to strengthen our district through sound fiscal stewardship, collaborative governance, and a steadfast focus on student success. I value the WCDP's dedication to building strong communities and expanding opportunities for all residents. I would be honored to earn the support of an organization that champions Democratic values and believes, as I do, that quality public education is essential to a thriving, inclusive community. Together, we can continue moving Ypsilanti Community Schools and Washtenaw County forward. | I believe community engagement begins with being present, listening, and serving year-round. Beyond my responsibilities as a Ypsilanti Community Schools Trustee, I am a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, an organization dedicated to scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. Through my sorority, I support educational, civic, and community service initiatives that positively impact families and youth. I am also a member of the Washtenaw County Black Caucus, where I work to advance equity and civic engagement, and I serve on the Board of Elevation Youth Corp, helping empower young people through mentorship and leadership development. Whether in schools or the community, I remain committed to building partnerships, serving others, and creating opportunities that help Washtenaw County thrive. | I have a long history of supporting Democratic candidates and causes through both volunteerism and community service. Over the years, I have canvassed, donated to Democratic candidates, and worked on campaigns to help elect leaders who share our values. I am an active member of the Washtenaw County Black Caucus and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where I support civic engagement, voter participation, educational initiatives, and community service. I remain committed to strengthening the Democratic Party by supporting Democratic candidates, encouraging civic participation, and helping build a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Washtenaw County. | No |
| Ypsilanti Community Schools - Board Member | KJ Pedri | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | kj.4ypsi@proton.me | Diversity and inclusion are the foremost values for me - I practice them by seeking to include marginalized voices in governance and in community life. | I am the best candidate for this position because I will bring my own experience to the table as well as | I plan to serve my constituents by prioritizing the issues most important to them while ensuring effective running of school system business. | I am new to the WCDP this year, but am looking foward to deepening my enagement. | I mentor others as a peer in housing instability and homelessness, teaching others to use their voices to self-advocate and advocate for their community and those around them. | I am seeking endorsement to uplift my platform and strengthen the county's commitment to progressive and justice-oriented policies. | I volunteer outside working hours with the unhoused community as well as in food justice efforts. | Recently I have supported Dr. Abdul Al-Sayed and local candidate for mayor Amber Fellows. | I am facing a misdemeanor charge for interfering in a police investigation for attempting to ensure the safety of a cognitively impaired elderly unhoused community member. |
| Washtenaw Commumity College Board of Trustees | David A DeVarti | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | daveydina2@comcast.net | Equality and Justice for All. I continually have worked to create access to everyone in our community. By working to pass the Affordable Housing Millage we've expanded our capability as a community to build more permanently affordable housing. By working to keep WCC In-District tuition rates the lowest in the state we provide educational access to everyone in our community no matter their economic situation. | I don't claim to be the best; I just state that I will do everything in my ability to make WCC one of the best educational values in the entire country. | I have used my position to continue to advocate for state of the art educational resources at WCC to deliver the best possible education and job training at the most accessible price for our County taxpayers and residents. | I regularly speak at City and County public meetings and hearings and frequently attend Democratic Party meetings as well. | I've worked collaboratively in many issue activist campaigns that frequently include younger and less experienced political activists. Working together with them as they build skills and experience. Most memorable to me is working on a citizen initiative that succeeded in moving Ann Arbor City elections from April to November and organizing and leading local door-knocking efforts three times a week for three months during Barack Obama's first Presidential campaign. More recently working on the campaign committee for the Affordable Housing Millage. | Because I'm a proud Democrat and recognize that the Party's endorsement will communicate to voters my own progressive values that find their home within the Democratic Party. | As indicated by numerous responses above, I engage in my community in myriad ways. I knock on doors, I host events for candidate and issue support, I serve on Boards and Committees usually with zero monetary compensation. I also encourage others to participate and try to facilitate participation by organizing and facilitating meetings, but happy to merely participate to allow space for others to lead. | In 1972, two years out of high school I ran for a Democrat Precinct Delegate position committed to Shirley Chisholm. I have maintained that deep involvement at all levels of politics my entire life. | I am happy to say that I have not. Although at one time in 1980 I was arrested while dressed as Uncle Sam protesting the draft at a Federal Building. I represented myself at trial before a Federal Magistrate along with two fellow protesters. We were found Not Guilty! |
| Washtenaw Commumity College Board of Trustees | Christina Fleming | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | TrusteeFleming@duck.com | Equity & Opportunity: I believe public education is the ultimate tool for economic justice. My academic training in social inequality shapes my board work, where I prioritize low tuition, open-door access, and wrap-around resources for first-generation and working-class students.Support for Working Families & Labor: Having spent 25+ years in tech, I champion career and technical education that connects students directly to high-skill, living-wage jobs and union trade apprenticeships.Community-First Leadership: I practice the party's value of compassionate, resilient leadership; most visibly as Board Chair during the pandemic, when I helped navigate complex decisions to keep our campus safe, equitable, and financially sound. | I am the best candidate because I bring tested leadership, professional technology expertise, and a deep commitment to progressive values. As Board Chair during the pandemic, I provided steady governance through the crisis, and consistently fought to keep tuition affordable. Combining over 25 years in the tech sector with an academic background in social inequality, I have both the practical skills to align our programs with high-paying jobs and the equity-focused vision to ensure WCC remains a bridge to opportunity for every resident in our county. | As a Trustee and Board Chair, I have prioritized affordability, stability, and workforce opportunity for our county. I consistently voted to maintain WCC’s status as one of the state's most affordable institutions, including freezing tuition during the pandemic to keep education accessible. As Chair during COVID-19, I led the board through unprecedented operational challenges, and leveraged my 25-year tech background to expand modern workforce and career-technical programs that prepare students for living-wage jobs. | For me, engagement in Washtenaw County in non-election years is about steady, reliable public service. As a WCC Trustee, my work serving our county residents happens continuously, attending monthly board meetings, shaping equity-focused policy, overseeing institutional budgets, and engaging directly with students and community members. Whether navigating complex challenges as Board Chair during non-election years or supporting local community events and small businesses as a longtime Dexter resident, I am dedicated to serving Washtenaw County every day, not just during campaign season. | Having started my tech career as a Help Desk Technician and advancing to Data Center Administrator over 25 years, I believe in paying forward the guidance I received. Throughout my career, I have informally mentored junior technical staff and help desk team members helping them troubleshoot complex technical challenges, prepare for certification exams, and build sustainable careers in technology. On the board, I extend this mindset by ensuring new board members have the context and support they need to participate fully in institutional decisions. | I am seeking the WCDP endorsement because my service on the WCC Board aligns directly with our shared Democratic values of equity, affordability, and economic opportunity. As a longtime Trustee and Board Chair, I have worked to keep tuition low, support working families, and expand career pathways into living-wage jobs. A WCDP endorsement reinforces our common commitment to keeping Washtenaw Community College an accessible, high-quality, and equitable institution for all county residents. | I engage with my community through public governance, local schools, and everyday family life in Dexter. My primary civic contribution is my decade of service on the WCC Board of Trustees, where I work year-round to serve county residents and keep education accessible. As a mother, I have also stayed deeply involved in my daughter's school community by volunteering for school activities and supporting local educational initiatives. Raising my family here, I am dedicated to keeping Dexter and Washtenaw County a strong, supportive environment for all families. | My support for Democratic candidates began in early childhood in an old campaign office space in a downtown area. Sitting at the wobbly folding tables with my mom (an active Democratic volunteer) stuffing and gluing envelopes for local candidates. That early exposure instilled a lifelong belief in grassroots civic action. As a reliable Democratic voter and a Trustee for the past decade, I have continuously supported Democratic causes both at the ballot box and in policy, voting to keep higher education affordable, accessible, and centered on equity for every working family in Washtenaw County. | None. |
| Ann Arbor District Library Board of Trustees | Zach Buck | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | zachforaadl@gmail.com | Defending Democratic Institutions: Democracy relies on democratic institutions, public schools, and libraries, the shared social infrastructure making collective life possible. Today, the commodification of the commons threatens public life. This means keeping public land under public control, calling for the Downtown Library development to be publicly owned to anchor social housing rather than private penthouses.Promoting Human Thriving Through Lifelong Public Education: Society relies on universally accessible public education. I advocate for screen-free children's spaces that foster deep literacy and equitable access.Pooling Resources for the Public Good: True community means corporations and the wealthy must pay their fair share. I champion public ownership and investment, insisting public assets and land remain firmly under public control to serve the community. | I am the best candidate to become an Ann Arbor District Library Board trustee because my commitment to the library is rooted in real, hands-on library operational experience, governance background with nonprofit organizations, and a principled vision for our public trust.Libraries are among our most vital democratic institutions, irreplaceable shared commons that anchor community life. Protecting these public goods requires both a fierce dedication to keeping our shared assets under public control and an active, engaged approach to oversight.Drawing on my background, I am an independent community listener who comes prepared to ask rigorous questions that enliven board discussions and deepen institutional care, while remaining deeply collaborative with fellow trustees, staff, and the public. I am driven entirely by a commitment to supporting democratic values, advancing the library's core mission, and ensuring AADL remains a vibrant, publicly owned resource for our entire community. | Ann Arbor needs open, transparent discussions about what we expect from our public institutions. As a library trustee, my goal is to break down top-down decision-making and put power back where it belongs: in the hands of everyday residents, patrons, and working families.Right now, this means addressing critical junctures like the Downtown Library development. A truly democratic board must treat the drafting of the RFP as an open public policy document, actively inviting community oversight before requests go out to partners. By making strict benchmarks for social housing and public space control mandatory prerequisites, rather than negotiable items left to a developer's bottom line, we protect our public trust. Having independent, sharp-eyed trustees to demand transparency during these stages is vital to ensuring AADL serves our entire community equitably. | Since making Washtenaw County my permanent home and joining the WCDP, I have been deeply engaged in local civic life, volunteering with the Gretchen’s House Foundation to advance early childhood education equity. Beyond that foundational work, my ongoing county involvement is rooted in active civic participation: I consistently track local policy, attend municipal meetings, and engage directly with the everyday issues shaping our region's infrastructure. | Through university teaching and academic mentorship, I guided students through complex socio-political frameworks and real-world community issues. Beyond the classroom, my focus was helping learners build critical thinking skills and connect theory to civic action, reinforcing my lifelong commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds. | I am seeking the endorsement of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party because my vision for the Ann Arbor District Library is rooted directly in our shared Democratic values: defending public goods from privatization, championing worker rights and fair compensation, and expanding equitable access to public education and early literacy. The Democratic Party is a vital defender of our public institutions, and keeping our libraries democratic, community-owned, and human-led is an essential part of that work. | As an Advisory Committee member for the Gretchen's House Foundation, I am actively involved in supporting accessible, high-quality early childhood education and care across our community. This work centers on filling gaps and removing barriers to ensure all children and families have equitable access to strong early foundations, while advocating that educators are well-supported with evidence-based resources. Beyond this, my community engagement is rooted in my daily life as a local advocate, working year-round to protect our shared civic spaces, support working families, and build a more just, connected Ann Arbor. | My commitment to Democratic values and progressive causes is rooted in hands-on civic action, spanning grassroots campaigning for local progressive leaders, public-interest environmental journalism investigating regional threats, and building a nonprofit dedicated to expanding early childhood education. Whether I’m fighting to protect public assets, writing critically about ecology and the public sphere, or establishing vital educational infrastructure for families, my work has consistently championed environmental stewardship, public ownership, and community-driven progress. | No. |
| Ann Arbor District Library Board of Trustees | Rachel Goldberg | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | rpultusker@gmail.com | Education: The driving force of my professional life has been the belief that all students deserve access to a diverse range of learning opportunities that both reflect their lived experiences and introduce other ways of being so that they may grow to be thoughtful and engaged adults who work to make our community better. Equity: As a NEW Center Champions for Change Fellow in 2020-2021, I spent the year learning about ways in which systems of inequity present themselves in our community and ways in which I can push back against these forces in all of the spaces that I enter. Commitment to equity and justice is at the heart of my educational practice, from my information literacy instruction with students, to my work on my building-level equity committee with parents and colleagues, to my role in supporting workers’ collective voice and power within the AAEA. | I am an outstanding candidate for the position of Ann Arbor District Library Trustee because of my longstanding professional commitment to the values of the library, my professional understanding of issues facing libraries in the current political landscape, and my experience working with a variety of stakeholders to understand financial constraints and opportunities, solve problems, and develop creative solutions. | I plan to serve my constituents by staying informed on issues related to the library and the City, especially as they relate to the major project of constructing the new Downtown branch. I am committed to asking complex questions, seeking information to deepen my understanding of related issues, and working with all stakeholders to develop plans that work toward meeting the varied needs of all members of the community. Because of my professional work in libraries and my experience working with a variety of organizations, boards, and stakeholder groups, I will bring my depth of understanding of threats to intellectual freedom, successful strategies to oppose censorship efforts, and related issues to all conversations with constituents and to all of my work on this Board, should I have the privilege of serving. | My local involvement is focused on issues related to education. I serve on a variety of committees in my school and in the district and attend as many school board meetings as possible. In-school committees on which I serve include equity, teacher leadership, and literacy. I also worked with parents and community stakeholders districtwide to support the creation of the Friends of the Ann Arbor Public School Libraries, one of the first groups in the nation whose sole purpose is to advocate for school libraries in its community. Through my work in AAPS, I have also developed relationships with various identity-based parent and student groups to increase diverse representation in our library collections. Recognizing the threats to education coming from a variety of sources, including the federal government, my community activism is focused on the ways in which I can use my skills and knowledge to support students, educators, and families within the context of PK-12 education. | Over the course of my career as an educator, I’ve mentored thousands of young people. My work comes from a place of pedagogical understanding of progressive education and the powerful role that nurturing adults can play in the development of students’ understanding of the world around them.I have also mentored educators through my previous roles in school and program admin, as well as my current roles as department chair and AAEA building rep. As chair, I liaise between school librarians around the district and administration, working to bridge gaps and create opportunities for collaboration. As rep, I liaise between my building colleagues and union leadership as we work to support our students. In these roles, I am the person from whom others seek guidance and support, and am also the person to whom others come with new ideas and approaches. My mentoring takes on many shapes, but is always guided by my desire to listen for understanding and work collaboratively toward progress. | I am seeking the endorsement of the WCDP because I understand that in this time of growing fascism, the role of the library, which has always been important, becomes even more so. As such, I understand that libraries will need a broad coalition of support. My candidacy comes from a place of understanding of the ways in which libraries find themselves in the cultural crosshairs and the strategies necessary to fight back against those who wish to erode the public institutions that we hold dear. With this endorsement, I will do my best to represent the diverse and varied perspectives of members of the WCDP through my service to the AADL. | In addition to the aforementioned communities of educators in which I am engaged, I am also active in the Jewish community, including roles with Temple Beth Emeth (in the last several years, as religious school teacher and, before that, as a member of the education committee) and with Chesed Havurah (affiliated with the Steering Committee since the group’s inception). I am also on the Steering Committee for the Irene Butter Fund for Holocaust and Human Rights Education, where I work with other descendants of Holocaust survivors to support educational programs that help to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive and to promote human rights, working against efforts to “other” and dehumanize. All of my faith-based work is connected to my belief in the power of education and community engagement. | My history of supporting Democratic candidates has taken the form of active campaign volunteer and canvasser for many years, starting with volunteering on John Kerry’s presidential campaign as a teenager. Since then, I have knocked doors, made phone calls, attended events, and/or sent postcards on many campaigns, including the following significant efforts: Organized against Snyder’s Right to Work legislation in 2012 with fellow members of my teachers union (at the time, I worked in Plymouth and was the building rep for the PCEA)Volunteered for redistricting efforts with Voters Not Politicians in 2018Volunteered with the “Yes on Prop 3” campaign to support women' s rights to reproductive freedom in 2022Volunteered on various AAEA-supported school board candidate campaigns in 2024 | N/A |
| Ann Arbor District Library Board of Trustees | Cassie Haynes | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | cassie@cassiehaynes.com | A healthy democracy is maintained through infrastructure like information exchange, clubs and organizations, local news, and public space. Notably, the AADL is a hub for all of this. Information, culture, and public spaces should be community commitments not privileges. I co-founded a newsroom to expand equitable access to local news and am looking forward to an AADL-Observer partnership that helps to ensure that our community benefits from high-quality local news and information for many years to come. Healthy democracies are supported by strong public institutions, including libraries, schools, and newsrooms. I support a strong, well-resourced library budget as a current AADL Trustee and I will continue to champion the new downtown branch. Democracy works when institutions actively make space for the folks they’re serving. I bring this value with me to every board and leadership role I hold, pushing for transparency, representation, and community input in decisionmaking. | I've been doing this work as a current AADL Trustee, appointed to fill a vacancy, and I'm asking voters to allow me to continue doing it. Since my appointment, I've served on the budget and finance committee, helping steward a well-resourced library budget through the 2026 budgeting season. I bring legal training to navigate governance and institutional decision, a career in journalism and civic infrastructure, and current leadership of a civic education organization where I manage budgets, partnerships and organizational strategy. I understand the public service mission that libraries carry as well as the operational discipline required to sustain it responsibly. I also bring the perspective of.a parent and an active community member who uses the library, and I have a track record of building durable institutional partnerships. | Since my appointment in February of this year, I've served on the budget and finance committee, where I've supported executive leadership in keeping AADL's budget strong and well-resourced. I've used my seat to join my colleagues in advocating for AADL's role as civic infrastructure, championing the library as a hub for local news and information access, especially as the library continues to explore partnership with the Ann Arbor Observer. And as we move toward the new downtown branch, I will continue to work in partnership with my colleagues on the board to ensure that equity and access stay central to how we plan it, including its potential to support affordable housing alongside library space. | I have not been an active member of the WCDP before this year. Moving back a to my hometown a few years ago after more than two decades outs of state, I've been working to reestablish my connections to hyper-local politics. | I mentor a handful of leaders -- largely folks in local news, public media, and archival/storytelling work. Sometimes the relationship is more focused on a certain corner of their professional life, fundraising for example, and other times our conversations and the "work" we do together is less focused skill sharing and professional development and more on what it means to survive, and what it takes to thrive, in our current environment. I have been so fortunate to have such strong mentors in my life and I look for opportunities to pay that experience forward. | I'm seeing WCDP's endorsement because of the values driving my decision to run for office as well as those undergirding my slate's campaign. AADL is not a partisan institution, but the case for a strong, well-resourced library system that doesn't treat information and access like a privilege is a Democratic case that I hope to make with the party's support behind me. | My community engagement spans faith, journalism, and civic infrastructure. I'm an active member, preacher, and community organizer at Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC, where I have served also on church council. Professionally and civically, I've spent my career building infrastructure for local news and civic education. I co-founded a newsroom focused on equitable local news coverage, and I currently lead a civic education nonprofit that reaches hundreds of thousands of learners every month. I serve on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit newsroom based in Chicago, and I love being out and about in my community. | I was a law clerk in the office of the general council at the Democratic National Committee during the 2008 presidential election. This was arguably the most exciting time *ever* to be working for the national Democratic party. I have been registered as a Democrat since I was old enough to vote and have phone banked for local and national candidates. | No. |
| Ann Arbor District Library Board of Trustees | Gaurav Kulkarni | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | gaurav@gauravkulkarni.com | I deeply value inclusion as a value of the Democratic Party. We often repeat that “Libraries are for everyone” and I think it’s one of the most important aspects of the library. Part of the reason it is so beloved, and should serve as the inspiration for every other public agency or institution, is that it meets patrons where they are. There is a dedication to make sure every resident can access the information, the space and the community that they need, regardless of background, ability, income level, home address, or any other factor. I’ve practiced this in my own life by advocating for more options for both housing and transit. I advocate for an Ann Arbor with enough homes for all who want to live here. And I advocate for a variety of transportation options, especially buses, so that owning a car is not a requirement to live in Ann Arbor. | In a town so full of impressive and inspiring leaders, I hesitate to call myself the best. Even in the library board race, I am running on a slate with two other incredible candidates, Cassie Haynes and Rachel Goldberg, who also deserve your vote. I believe you should vote for me because of my demonstrated commitment to the values of the library, and because of my experience working with the public and with city hall to affect change in our community. I am your candidate if you want a zealous advocate for a library that continues to serve its community in a multitude of ways. | The biggest role of a library board trustee is financial stewardship of the public's resources. We are lucky to have a library director with a proven track record of maintaining the fiscal health of the library, but oversight remains vital. Deep understanding and financial oversight is one way I will serve constituents.It is also a political role, and there will be either political headwinds or tailwinds to be able to achieve the library's biggest priorities. Part of my role as a trustee would be engaging the public and working with other entities, like the School Board and City Council, to further the interest of our patrons and community. | While I have not been involved in WCDP prior to this year, I look forward to continuing my involvement with the WCDP in the coming years. | As someone working in the software industry, mentorship is how I support more diversity and inclusion within the industry. While living in San Francisco, I volunteered as a mentor with the Hackbright Academy, a coding bootcamp for women and gender-diverse individuals. Over my time volunteering there, I mentored 6 students. The mentoring was a mix of going over the engineering material they were working on, as well as career guidance and mock interviews as they got closer to graduating from Hackbright.Another organization I worked with was CodeNation in San Francisco. They taught coding and professional skills to high school students in Title I schools. I would go to Balboa High School weekly to teach a classroom of students basic coding concepts. | WCDP is a trusted local voice that reflects so many of the values that I hold dear. As such, I think it’s important to earn the endorsement of the WCDP. | I have a history of working with advocacy groups for causes I believe in. For example, through OpenOakland, I worked with government partners to solve their technical problems. In partnership with the Oakland Department of Transportation, I led a team that built a unified intake form for residents eligible for discount programs with various local bikeshare and scooter share companies. I volunteered with the local Jaycees chapter, and among other things, helped marshal the July 4th parade in 2024 and packed food donations for families during Thanksgiving. I sit on the board of the local housing organization, Neighbors for More Neighbors. I lead our growth committee which organizes events and welcomes new members. I also have to shout out the Ann Arbor Community Academy. This past winter, I spent my Tuesday evenings in City Hall hearing presentations from different government departments. I got to have rich discussions with department leaders and learn how Ann Arbor runs. | I’ve been a registered Democrat ever since I could vote. I’ve donated to a number of democratic candidates over the past decade at local, state and federal levels, and canvassed for Elizabeth Warren during the 2020 primary while in California. Also during the 2020 general election, I worked for the non-profit, Tech for Campaigns. At Tech for Campaigns, I worked directly with the Michigan House Dems as well as the Minnesota DFL Party to design and build dashboards to track their field efforts statewide. | No |
| Ypsilanti District Library Board of Trustees | Paul Leighton | Go to Candidate Website ↗️ | pleighton@emich.edu | Two of the values most relevant to the library work are anti-discrimination and concern for the social safety net. My work at SafeHouse, Eastern Michigan's food pantry and academic work all are examples of my commitment to those values. As they relate to the library, these values lead to a practice of ensuring freedom and diverse materials that relate to the interests and needs of the community. I am also learning about and working to support the Community Cares program, lead by a library-based Social Worker. | The board needs Trustees with a variety of skills and experiences. I am a good candidate to have in the mix because of the variety of other Board experience I have, my investment in Ypsi from being a lifelong resident, and desire to make the library a strong, free public commons for the community. | The library has started a process of strategic planning, which involves listening to the community - both library users and non-users. The goal is to have a plan for the next 5 years about how to use our resources to best meet the community needs with all the changes going on. I will listen carefully to those voices, and bring my experience with family, students and friends to advocate for a plan that best serves all residents. | Although I have been involved in community organizations, I have not been involved in party activities. | During my almost 30 years at Eastern Michigan University, I have mentored many students and younger faculty. EMU is about educational opportunity, so this involves helping students find their interests, get into careers and pursue graduate degrees. I have also participated in professional roundtable discussions about teaching and research, as well as mentorship programs established by specialized devisions with the American Society of Criminology. | There are four people running for four trustee positions, but I am seeking the endorsement so voters know more about the people holding office. I hope having this information published on the website and getting an endorsement means people understand more about what I stand for and will be more likely to get in touch about the library. | I was on the Board of SafeHouse for 6 years (term limit), including two as President. I have been active with SafeHouse for the last decade by helping with the crisis intervention training for volunteers. I was a founding member of the Advisory Board for EMU's food pantry and have been the Chair of the Advisory Board for about 7 years now. I served on the Board of EMU's faculty union and participated in three collective bargaining contract negotiations. I have also been a panelist or speaker and many criminal justice reform events. | As an undergraduate, I campaigned for Mario Cuomo during the 1980s (google his Shining City on a Hill/Tale of Two Cities speech to the Democratic National Convention. But in general, I have supported causes and organizations related to Democratic values. | No one is perfect, but I believe I have a strong reputation for integrity. There is nothing in my past that would cast doubt on my ability to do the duties of a library Trustee and work to support the community. |