LANSING — Today, the Michigan Democratic Party launched a statewide campaign to recruit hundreds of Democrats to run for local office, helping to ensure that no race goes uncontested this year and beyond. This initiative is part of a national movement led by Contest Every Race to strengthen Democratic representation, particularly in down-ballot races that shape communities across the state.
The 2025 candidate recruitment program is focused on filling over 700 local offices, including over 300 races supported by CER. These offices — city council, village council, and city commissioner seats — directly impact the communities they serve. The goal is to identify and support as many new Democratic candidates as possible before the April 22 filing deadline.
“There’s a simple formula for Democratic success: recruiting and supporting candidates to run for every position on every ballot across the state. Local offices shape our schools, roads, and communities, and we’re helping dedicated Democrats show up and run for those roles,” said Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Curtis Hertel. “At a time when the will of unelected billionaires dominates national politics, we’re building a stronger, more representative democracy — one that works for everyday Michiganders. ”
“We’re thrilled to be working in Michigan as part of our national effort to recruit and support local candidates,” added Zoë Stein, Director of Contest Every Race. “This is a critical time for Democrats to step up and push back against MAGA extremism. There are no ‘off years’ anymore, and ensuring every Republican faces a challenge is key to strengthening the party and our democracy at every level.”
The recruitment effort includes direct outreach via text messaging, as well as organizing meetings and coaching support to help first-time candidates navigate the process. The program focuses especially on rural and small-town communities where uncontested Republican seats remain high.
Since its founding in 2018, Contest Every Race has recruited over 10,000 Democrats to run for local office across the country. In 2022, the organization found that Democrats failed to contest more than 50% of all partisan races, underscoring the need for continued investment in grassroots candidate recruitment.
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