Political Leadership Program Helps Candidates Prepare

Ready to run for a Michigan House or Senate seat, to seek a statewide office or to lead a successful grassroots advocacy campaign?

Make your first campaign stop completing an application for Michigan State University’s Michigan Political Leadership Program.

Applications are available now for MPLP, considered one of the nation’s premier leadership programs for its hands-on, activity-packed, bipartisan training approach.

Each year since 1992, MPLP has put out the call for candidates to apply for the competitive 10-month, weekend training. MPLP is offered by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, a part of MSU’s College of Social Science.

Applications are due Sept. 9, said Douglas B. Roberts, Ph.D., IPPSR director and a former Michigan Treasurer with service in the administration of four Michigan governors.

In all, 24 Fellows are chosen to take part in the curriculum focused on personal leadership, campaign finance, media relations, policy and strategy and the nuts and bolts of everyday governing. The Fellows hail in equal numbers from each of the two major political parties – 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Twelve women and 12 men are typically selected for balance.

Fellows are lead by two co-directors, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, both experienced in leadership and government.

Stabenow looks at a 'very challenging' re-election campaign

Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Kay Hagan, Cynthia Reeves, Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Jeanne Shaheen.

Just hours after the Detroit Free Press ran a story about the continuing search for a Republican challenger to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), the junior senator made it clear she's ready for anyone.

"We are at the beginning of what will be a very challenging 18 months," Stabenow said of her re-election campaign. "We know that it's coming, and we've got to be ready."

Supporters gathered Sunday afternoon at a classic mansion in the Boston-Edison neighborhood of Detroit, formerly owned by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and now owned by attorney Cynthia Reeves. They mingled with Stabenow, Senators Kay Hagan from North Carolina, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. After all four spoke, the Vandellas and the Contours delighted the audience, performing a selection of classic Motown hits.

Sens. Stabenow and Shaheen (center) with the Contours.

Charles Davis of the Contours serenades Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

The Vandellas

Although Republicans have yet to locate a contender for Stabenow's seat, she is not resting on her laurels – something she learned from Sen. Patty Murray, Washington's first female senator. In 2010, Murray narrowly kept her seat after Republican challenger Dino Rossi dropped into the race in May of that year, backed by a huge infusion of political contributions.

"That's why you're here, and that's why I'm extremely grateful," Stabenow said.

She reiterated her continuing focus on job creation, which she believes will come back to Michigan "if you make things here, if you grow things here". Stabenow pointed out that the auto industry is investing in new technology and "growing the next generation of energy efficient vehicles". She pointed out that each of the other three senators supported the auto industry bailout, a statement that drew a big round of applause.

"They stood with me, they with the President. They got it," she said. "Focusing on jobs, that's what brings us together as Democrats."

Hagan, Mikulski and Shaheen all had high praise for Stabenow and urged supporters to ensure her re-election. Hagan chairs the Women's Senate Network, a group of 12 female Democrat Senators. Six, including Stabenow, are up for re-election in 2012.

"It's my job to go across the country and talk to people just like you and tell them how important it is to have these voices at the table," she said. "We all know we've got to retool our country."

Mikulski, who said she and Stabenow represent the "brass section", praised Stabenow's persistence with the Car Allowance Rebate System, commonly known as "Cash for Clunkers". The program allocated $3 billion in incentives for Americans who wanted to purchase newer, more energy-efficient vehicles. According to the Department of Transportation, the incentives pushed more than 690,000 vehicle sales.

"I was there to move it, to shake it and to be one of the transmissions that put it into high gear," Mikulski said. She also credited Stabenow for being one of the strongest voices in passing the 2009 Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which requires the 180-day window for the filing of pay discrimination claim to re-set with every paycheck. Ledbetter had filed a pay discrimination lawsuit, but lost when the Supreme Court ruled the statute of limitations time-clock began when the employee's pay was originally established.

"She's one hell of a back-room fighter," Mikulski said.

Editor's Note: After this story was published, a reader contacted us with the names of two GOP candidates who have announced they are running for Stabenow's Senate seat: Randy Hekman is a former prosecutor and juvenile court judge from Grand Rapids; Peter Konetchy is a small business owner from Roscommon.

Michigan NOW endorses Bernero-Lawrence

The Michigan National Organization for Women has endorsed Virg Bernero and Brenda Lawrence for Governor and Lieutenant Governor in the Tuesday, November 2, General Election.

Michigan NOW has also endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Secretary of State, and endorsed or supported six candidates for judicial posts, 15 Senate candidates, 36 House candidates, and 20 county level candidates. In addition, the organization urges a "no" vote on the question of holding a Constitutional Convention.

“The Bernero-Lawrence team clearly has a platform more in line with the goals of Michigan NOW,” stated Michigan-NOW PAC Chair Renee Beeker. “Mayor Bernero has shown a great commitment to protecting women’s rights, including reproductive choice, throughout his government service and this campaign. 

Michigan NOW endorses Bernero, opposes constitutional convention

The Michigan National Organization for Women announces its first round of endorsements for the 2010 election cycle, in time for the August 3, 2010 primary. These include an endorsement of Virg Bernero for Governor, 12 Senate candidates, 27 House candidates along with three judicial and 18 county level endorsements. Michigan NOW urges a no vote on the question of holding a Constitutional Convention.

“Michigan NOW is a multi-issue organization whose mission is to take action to bring about full equality for women,” stated Michigan-NOW PAC Chair Renee Beeker, “so our interests are always in a candidate who is strong on those issues. Virg Bernero is that candidate. Mr. Bernero impressed us with his commitment to reproductive choice for women, economic equity through building jobs for all Michigan workers, education, and rights for all Michigan citizens regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Michigan NOW PAC Board members were also impressed by Mr. Bernero’s proven leadership as Lansing mayor, former Senator, and House member in the tough times Michigan has faced. We see him as the candidate who can succeed in leading the state to a brighter future.”

Series trains Republican women for service

"Women need to learn to want to support women"

For most of her adult life, Joan Jackson has mentored other women.

Now, the veteran Republican has focused her considerable passion and energy on training women in her party to run for office. Working with a core group of volunteers, she co-founded the Michigan Excellence in Public Service Series, inspired by Indiana's Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series. MEPSS has a simple mission: "to increase the number and influence of Michigan Republican women in government, politics and community leadership."

Jackson said the Indiana program, which is offered every year, was started primarily by business women who wanted to have an impact on elections. "In Michigan, we realized most of us involved were also very active in the party, so we hold our program in the off year."

Of the seven-member inaugural class of 2007, two were elected to the State House of Representatives: Eileen Kowall in District 44 and Sharon Tyler in District 78 in 2008. Three members of the class of 2009 are running this year, two for state legislature and one for a county position. Jackson said the program has had small class sizes and will likely keep them small - no more than 10 or 12.

Michigan Women Running: 46th District Court Chief Judge-Pro Tem Judge Shelia Johnson

46th District Court Chief Judge-Pro Tem Judge Shelia Johnson is a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Judge Johnson has brought to the Bench a depth of experience, professional and community involvement, an outstanding judicial record and temperament, and a deep commitment to the fair and impartial administration of justice. A two term Judge and Chief Judge Pro Tem of the 46th District Court, which serves the communities of Southfield, Lathrup Village, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills and Southfield Township, she has presided over cases with that rare mixture of intellect, compassion, fairness, firmness and fortitude that make her an excellent candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court.

She has an outstanding intellectual background and experience: she is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and Dartmouth College, a former law clerk at the U.S. District Court, W.D. Michigan, in which capacity she also served as a visiting clerk at the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Michigan Women Running - Part 2: Senate stands to lose women

While women have made some progress in Michigan politics over the past quarter-century, 2010 is shaping up to be a "fall back" year, at least at the more local level.

Two women in Michigan's Congressional delegation, Candice Miller (R) and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D) are running for re-election and are the only women in their races. Eight of the more than 60 Congressional candidates are women, and women are completely absent in seven of the 15 contests. It seems unlikely women will gain any ground.

Women could actually lose ground in Lansing. Nine women serve in the Michigan Senate, and all those posts are up for grabs. In the 3rd, 14th and 35th Districts, there are no women contenders. Only a handful of women are on the ballot in the remaining six races:

Michigan Women Running: Only 12 percent of Congressional candidates are women

While scores of Michigan women are running for state-wide and federal offices in this year's mid-term elections, they represent only a small fraction of the candidates whose names will be on ballots in August and November. 

MichiganWomensForum.com analyzed candidate filings published on the State of Michigan's Web site prior to the Wednesday, May 12, 2010 deadline. What we've found will be published in a series of posts over the next several weeks.*

Saltonstall withdraws from Michigan 1st Congressional race, citing party's endorsement of anti-choice candidate

Connie Saltonstall, whose candidacy in Michigan's First Congressional District energized pro-choice advocates, today ended her whirlwind campaign by issuing the following statement:

"I regretfully announce that I am withdrawing from the Democratic primary for U.S. Representative in Michigan’s First Congressional District.

"I am forced to do this because it has become apparent to my campaign that the leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party has preemptively anointed Gary McDowell as their Democratic candidate. They are replacing Bart Stupak with another Upper Peninsula, anti-choice, anti-women’s healthcare rights candidate. From past experience, I realize that with the Michigan Democratic Party actively opposing me, I will not be able to raise the money necessary to conduct a winning campaign. I am not the only candidate that has been the target of this kind of manipulation. I hope that in the future the Party will reject this interference and insist on an open primary allowing voters to choose the candidate who represents their values.

State Senate Candidate to host May 1 Town Hall on Education: The True Foundation of the American Dream

Casandra Ulbrich, a member of the State Board of Education and Democratic candidate for the 12th District State Senate seat, will host a special Town Hall, “Education: The True Foundation of the American Dream,” on  Saturday, May 1, at 11 a.m. at the Whitmer Human Resource Center in Pontiac.

Ulbrich said the event serves as a counter point to former Republican Alaska governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s keynote at the conservative “Michigan Defending the American Dream Summit” in Clarkston earlier the same day.

“I appreciate the fact that Sarah Palin is visiting our region to talk about defending the American Dream,” said Ulbrich.  “But, I hope that we can all agree that the true foundation of any American Dream is a quality education.  That’s why we are bringing together local and state elected officials, education advocates and civic activists to discuss the state of public education in Michigan.”

Michigan Women Running: Connie Saltonstall, 1st Congressional District

CHARLEVOIX – Democrats in Michigan’s First Congressional District will have a choice in the August Primary, with the announcement March 9 of Connie Saltonstall's campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat Bart Stupak in Michigan's 1st Congressional District. Supporters have launched a petition drive to collect the 1,000 signatures required to place her name on the August primary ballot.

Saltonstall, a life long Charlevoix resident, declared that one of her top priorities is to work for affordable, accessible healthcare for all Americans and to support what the Supreme Court has ruled as a woman’s right to privacy. She said she has heard from Democrats throughout the First District who demand a candidate who will support real healthcare reform.

Saltonstall ran for State Representative in the 105th District in 2008 and served as a Charlevoix County Commissioner in 2006. A graduate of Charlevoix High School and the University of Michigan, she taught fourth grade in the Charlevoix Schools and, in 1978, was elected to the Charlevoix Board of Education.

Michigan Women Running: Natalie Mosher, 11th Congressional District

In May, 2009, Canton resident Natalie Mosher made official her campaign to unseat incumbent Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R) in Michigan’s 11th district.

Mosher was born in Detroit, graduated from Michigan State University and currently lives in Canton with her husband Bob Mosher, a retired Ford engineer. Natalie and Bob have two grown children. Prior to entering the congressional race, Natalie worked as a non-profit development director, public school teacher and community leader.

“Whether it was working as a community leader, a teacher, a non-profit development director or a mother- I’ve always been the go-to person. No issue has been too big or too small for me to take on and get results. Simply put, I’m a doer … not a career politician. I would not have entered this race if I didn’t think I could offer better ideas to turn Michigan around,” said Mosher.

Mosher outlined several key issues that she plans to talk about throughout the campaign. She supports creating alternative energy production and life sciences jobs in Michigan. Mosher is a proponent of pension protection, expanding unemployment benefits and is against free trade deals like NAFTA and CAFTA.

Detroit, Highland Park leaders endorse SOS candidate Benson

HIGHLAND PARK – Dozens of political, grassroots, religious and other community leaders from Detroit and Highland Park turned out in a strong show of support February 15 for election law expert and Secretary of State hopeful Jocelyn Benson.

“Despite the current economic and political challenges we face in Detroit, I believe that Detroit and Michigan have a bright future – a belief that is grounded in a deep faith in the creativity and character of the citizens of this great state,” said Rev. David Bullock, Pastor of the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church. “I am inspired by aspiring political leaders like Jocelyn Benson, who clearly understands what we have known for a long time; namely, the destiny of Detroit and Michigan are inextricably linked.”

More than 50 people joined Benson – a law professor at Wayne State University – at a news conference outside the Highland Park Secretary of State’s Office to cheer her on as she announces plans to improve access to state services as Michigan's next Secretary of State.