Letter from Chair Barnes on Not Seeking Re-Election

Dear Michigan Democratic Party family,

I am writing to share that after over 9 years at the Michigan Democratic Party, nearly 6 of them as Chair, I have decided to not seek re-election as Chair in February. 

We have been in the eye of the storm here in Michigan, and I’m immensely proud of the work we have done and the organization we have built together. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to work with this MDP staff who are truly the best in the business. I have had the honor to work side by side with Michigan’s amazing elected Democrats, many of whom have been true partners and for that I’m grateful. And this party is lucky to have strong volunteer leaders who serve with power and dignity as Executive Committee members, State Central Committee members, and officers of local organizations.

In my time as Chair, we have revolutionized how Democrats run campaigns in this state. As you all know, 2016 was a wake-up call for Michigan Democrats. We realized that our number one goal needed to be putting our heads down and building a party to do the work needed to win year-round – and we did it.

In 2018, in a direct repudiation of Trump’s MAGA presidency – we sent Debbie Stabenow back to the Senate, secured more seats in the state legislature, and vitally, elected Gretchen Whitmer as governor. Then, we implemented and grew a year-round, full-time organizing strategy in every corner of Michigan. Project 83, named for the 83 counties in Michigan, is the blueprint for a successful organizing model, now being adopted by other states in the country that are hoping to mirror our successes.

The 2020 cycle validated the vision we had for the Michigan Democratic Party – putting in hard work to reach as many voters as we could and leaving no Democrat behind. Despite overwhelming obstacles to reaching voters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to adapt and still delivered Michigan for President Biden, sweeping statewide offices and defending crucial state House and congressional seats.

Then in 2022, with the re-election of the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, and winning all of the statewide partisan offices, Democrats made huge inroads. Michigan Democrats also won majorities in both the state Senate and the state House, far surpassing even the most optimistic expectations for the cycle – and bringing a Democratic trifecta to Lansing for the first time in 40 years.

While our losses this year are deeply painful, in a year with stronger headwinds than we have ever seen nationally, we held our ground here. Thanks to the infrastructure we have built these past 9 years, and the hard work of Democrats across the state, we are sending Elissa Slotkin to the U.S. Senate, Kristen McDonald Rivet to Congress, and Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas to the Supreme Court. At the local level, we have held and won numerous county commission and school board seats where dedicated Democrats are fighting to build a brighter future for everyone.

We ran in hard races across the state, and we ran those races well, which is why I know that we will continue to show up for working Michiganders everywhere – and we will continue to grow our tent as we righteously fight for every single person in our great state.

My philosophy for this party has always been that we don’t worry, we work – even when the going gets tough. I still plan to be in this fight for justice and help shepherd the next generation of leaders who will take on this important work. On a personal note, I am so excited to continue to play a bigger role in my own family that continues to grow and serve as an example for my children and grandchildren, as my mother and grandmother did for me.

This was a difficult year, but I know that while this party may bend under the weight of the pain of loss, it will never break. At the end of the day, this country, and this state, were built to move forward — there is much more work to be done and the Michigan Democratic Party stands ready to do it.

I look forward to taking on new challenges, pursuing projects close to my heart, and continuing the fight for what is good and right – for all of us and for our families.

In Solidarity,

Lavora Barnes

MDP Chair