In this Email

JAN 10 2023

• Party News

  • NEW: New Year's Wish for 2023 - Do You Still Write Checks?

  • County Convention on January 21

  • Next Meeting in February

  • NEW: Stabenow Announces Retirement

  • NEW: Axelrod Interviews Whitmer

  • Treasurer & Finance Chair Wanted

  • Secretary of State Benson Honored

• Upcoming Events

  • NEW: MDP Spring 2023 Convention

  • NEW: Campaign & Community Events

Party News

Do you still write checks? Or do you remember when you used to write checks? Then you probably remember the frustration you used to feel the first time you wrote a check in the new year and inadvertently put the previous year on the check's date line?

If so, perhaps you have some empathy for the mistake at the top of last week's newsletter. 😳

Just to be clear, we do know that it's 2023! And, we wish you and yours a Happy 2023!

The HCDP County Convention, to consider resolutions and business for the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Spring Convention, will be held Saturday, January 21st, at 10:00 AM at the Houghton Super 8 and virtually by Zoom.Resolutions approved at this meeting will be sent to the MDP Spring Convention. If you have a resolution that you'd like considered, it can be submitted and discussed at the Convention on Saturday. Or if you like, you can contact Policy & Resolutions Chair Pat Tikkannen (email her at [email protected]) for assistance in working your idea into a draft Resolution format ahead of time.Under MDP rules, delegates to the County Convention include Precinct Delegates who were duly elected at the Primary Election held August 2, 2022, the Democratic nominees for County and Legislative offices as set forth in section 3.2.2 of the MDP bylaws, and members of the Michigan Democratic Party who reside in the county or district and whose membership was renewed at least thirty (30) days prior to the County or District Convention.The Convention is being held in advance of the MDP Spring Convention in Detroit. (See the item under "Upcoming Events" below for details on that gathering.)

At the December Potluck and General Meeting it was agreed to forego a January meeting. Our next General Membership Meeting will be Wednesday, February 1 at 7 PM. As usual, the meeting will be both in-person at the Super 8 in Houghton and by Zoom.

Michigan's senior US Senator, Debbie Stabenow, announced last week that she will not run for re-election in 2024. Stabenow became the state's first female U.S. senator after defeating Republican incumbent Spencer Abraham in the 2000 election. In an article shortly after her announcement Politico praised the Democratic bench in Michigan, saying that it's "one of the deepest in the country."

Among the names mentioned in the article as part of that bench were Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Governor Whitmer and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigeg have both released statements indicating they were not planning a run for Stabenow’s seat.

David Axelrod, former chief strategist for the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and current Sr Political Commentator for CNN, sits down with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for an insightful interview on his podcast The Axe Files. In the interview Whitmer discusses the role reproductive rights played in her campaign, the dangers facing public servants today and the sacrifices her family has made, governing through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the priorities for her second term in office. You can find the podcast episode here.

We are still searching for individuals willing to fill the roles of Treasurer and Finance Chair.

The treasurer is responsible for financial receipts and disbursements, and for providing financial reports to the County and Executive Committees as requested. The Treasurer also is responsible for the filing of Michigan Campaign Finance Disclosure reports. (More information on disclosure filing can be found at MERTSplus.com ).

The Finance Committee Chair oversees the creation of the annual budget and ideas for fundraising efforts.

If you are interested in serving as Treasurer or Finance Chair, or you know someone who may be, please contact Chair William Keith at [email protected].

On January 6th, the second anniversary of the attack on our nation's Capital, and while Republicans in the US House were in disarray, unable to muster the votes to name their party leader as Speaker, our state's Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, received a presidential medal honoring her efforts to uphold democracy during the challenges to the 2020 election.

“This extraordinary recognition,” Benson said in a statement, “affirms in me the hope that we will emerge out of this moment with a democracy that has not only prevailed, but is stronger, healthier and more robust than ever before.”

Upcoming Events

The Michigan Democratic Party 2023 Spring Convention takes place Saturday February 11 in Detroit. All members of the Michigan Democratic Party are encouraged to attend. For those unable to travel, an online stream of the proceedings of the convention floor will be available at michigandems.com.

Further information, including the full Call to Convention and the Convention Schedule can be found on the Michigan Dems website.

Tue. 1/10

• The Calumet Village Council meets in a Work Session tonight at 6 PM in the Village Council Chambers.Further information can be found on the Village website.

Wed. 1/11:

• The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 PM Wednesday in the Council Chambers at 616 Shelden Avenue. More information can be found on the City Council's webpage.

Mon 1/16:

• Monday is the State and Federal holiday honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be celebrations and presentations across the state. Many of our state universities are streaming events - Google search "Michigan Martin Luther King 2023" for more info. Information on activities at Michigan Tech can be found here.