Events featured in our newsletter can also be found on the Events Calendar on the main page of our website.

POTLUCK & MONTHLY MEETING NEXT WEDNESDAY

Join us for our monthly meeting next Wednesday at 7 PM at the Super 8 in Houghton.  

Potluck starts at 6 PM. Bring a dish to share if you can, or just stop in and enjoy some quality time with your fellow Dems before we settle down to business at 7. 

Remote attendance is available by Zoom. Click here at 7 PM Wednesday to attend by Zoom. 

Membership in the Houghton County Democratic Party is encouraged, but not required, to attend meetings. We welcome all Houghton County residents who support progressive Democratic government to attend our meetings and events and also to become involved.

SPECIALS GUESTS

We are expecting to be joined by four candidates at tomorrow’s meeting.

Joining us in person will be Chris Mapps, candidate for the Michigan Senate. Joining by Zoom will be candidate Wayne Stiles running for US Congress.

Also joining us by Zoom will be two candidates for the MSU Board of Trustees, Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay Zemke.

SPRING FLING TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

SATURDAY MAY 2ND, 2026 @ 5 PM

BONFIRE GRILL, HOUGHTON

HONORING MIKE LAHTI

At this year’s Spring Fling we honor Mike Lahti, whose years of service to our community is an inspiration. One way you can honor Mike’s legacy is by giving back to your community through serving as a Precinct Delegate. We’ve some great news for anyone considering becoming a Precinct Delegate.

EASY FILING FOR PRECINCT DELEGATE

County Clerk Jennifer Kelly has confirmed that she will bring Precinct Delegate Affidavit of Identity forms to the Spring Fling. You can fill a form out right there. She’ll even notarize it for you personally at no charge! If you are unable to attend Spring Fling, you can bring the form to the Clerk’s Office in the Houghton County Building and ask for it to be notarized and submitted (also at no charge). You must complete the form by May 5. Thanks to Clerk Kelly for helping to make the first step in serving as Precinct Delegate much easier.

You can learn more about what it means to be a Precinct Delegate on our website.

BUY ADS OR DONATE AUCTION ITEMS

Would you like to place an ad or memorial in this year’s Spring Fling program? New for 2026 — In addition to the printed program distributed to Spring Fling attendees we will also share a link to an online version of the program in our newsletter. That's a lot of eyes on your message! Quarter page ads start at just $25, half page is $50, or choose a full page ad for $100. Your ad helps cover the cost of providing the printed programs.

Or maybe you have an item or service you can donate for our Silent Auction fundraiser? We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to Events Committee Chair Nancy Verive at [email protected] to get the conversation started. THANK YOU!

SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE & CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

It might not seem like it right now, but summer really isn’t that far off! That means it’s time to start planning for our annual HCDP summertime events, and the full summer events calendar is now available. - click here to see it!

Like everything we do, our summer events are staffed by volunteers, and we can always use more help! If youd like to help by marching in a parade or staffing a table at one of these events we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out directly to our Nancy Verive, our Events Committee Chair at [email protected].

MAY ELECTION IS APPROACHING

On Tuesday, May 5th, polls will open for in person voting. Across the county there are three millage proposals and a school bond proposal at issue. You can find information on the proposals at the County Clerk’s web page here - scroll to the bottom of the page for links to each proposal.

With an election only a little over a month away, now is a good time to think about your voter status. Are you registered to vote? If you'd like to check your registration, or get information on absentee voting, or find out where your polling place is, or find out more about pretty much anything else to do with voting here in Michigan, then check out the handy one-stop resource at the Secretary of State's Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote.

MDP 2026 LEGACY DINNER

MDP 2026 ENDORSEMENT CONVENTION

ALL MEMBERS OF THE MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE 2026 STATE ENDORSEMENT CONVENTION.

KELLI VAN GINHOVEN CAMPAIGN HOLDS ITALIAN DINNER FUNDRAISER APRIL 11

MAY SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATE CHEDRICK GREENE NEEDS OUR SUPPORT

Chedrick Greene is a highly decorated U.S. Marine and Fire Captain with a 30 year career of putting citizens before self. Now, Chedrick is running for State Senate District 35 to make life more affordable and safe in mid-Michigan, and to protect our fundamental freedoms.

The Chedrick Greene campaign is going all out ahead of the May special election for the state Senate seat in the 35th District. This open seat that will decide majority control of the state Senate, and it will take an all-out effort to win. Chedrick needs all of us in this fight now.

NO THRONES, NO CROWNS, NO KINGS

NO KINGS MOTOR MARCH MARCH 28 - MEET AT 11 AM

From Keweenaw Indivisible:

An awesome, accessible way to say NO KINGS in the Copper Country! Meet at the KUUF parking lot, 604 Bridge St. Houghton at 11:00 to decorate car windows and borrow car flags. Then drive with the flow of downtown traffic during the rally, extending the NO KINGS message beyond the immediate march area.

NO KINGS IN THE COPPER COUNTRY 3.0 MARCH 28, NOON TO 2 PM

From Keweenaw Indivisible:

… When our families are under attack and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence.

On March 28th, rise up, take to the streets, and say it loud: no thrones, no crowns, no kings. We’re not watching history happen—we’re making it. Join us.

SAY NO TO DATA CENTERS, SAY YES TO MICHIGAN PROTEST

This protest, organized by Michigan United, will take place at Veterans Memorial Park in Houghton April 10th starting at 6 PM. Say no to data centers and demand passage of the Data Center Regulation Act (HB 5594–6).

MOVIE NIGHT / SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

From event organizers at Special Olympics Area 39:

Attend our family-friendly event to support Special Olympics athletes. Watch a movie based on a true story about a girl's journey to self-esteem through Special Olympics. Enjoy food and drinks for purchase and bid on amazing items in the silent auction; winners will be announced after the movie. All funds made through the silent auction will go towards our local athletes to offset the costs of uniforms, equipment, practice facilities, transportation to regional and state games and competitions, and registration fees.

RSVP by calling Michael or Naomi at 231-445-8412, emailing [email protected] or using at our Eventbrite page.

WED MAR 25

The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 PM on Wednesday. Agendas and agenda packets for Council meetings are typically placed in the City’s Searchable Document Center at least several hours before the meeting.

A FULL LISTING OF ALL LOCAL CITY, VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENTS, WITH CONTACT INFORMATION, AND (WHERE AVAILABLE) TIMING OF LOCAL COUNCIL MEETINGS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE.