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Kelli Van Ginhoven to Speak at September Monthly Meeting Tomorrow

Kelli Van Ginhoven to Speak at September Monthly Meeting Tomorrow

HCDP News for September 2nd

Houghton County Dems
September 02, 2025

KELLI VAN GINHOVEN TO SPEAK AT SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING TOMORROW

GUEST SPEAKER

Kelli Van Ginhoven, Delta County Commissioner and candidate to replace the term-limited Ed McBroom in the Michigan Senate, will speak to meeting attendees via Zoom at tomorrow’s monthly gathering. Kelli announced her candidacy for the District 38 Senate seat just two weeks ago.

“The citizens of the U.P. deserve to be heard in Lansing. Over the last two decades I have heard over and over that we have been disregarded and forgotten by our state leadership. I will stand up and speak out when state leadership tries to steamroll over us or ignore our needs. I will not be remembered as a woman who kept her mouth shut.

My campaign will be different; it’s not about me and my goals—it’s about what the citizens need me to do for them. I will hustle hard, listen, and collaborate with fellow Senators to bring what you deserve back to the UP. In 2026, we can make positive change happen. Let’s go!”

Kelli van Ginhoven, announcing her candidacy for the D-38 Michigan Senate seat

Learn a bit more about Kelli from this Rural Caucus Facebook post. Support Kelli’s candidacy here.

Delta County Commissioner Kelli Van Ginhoven

Join us for our monthly meeting at 7 PM tomorrow, Wednesday September 3rd 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.

ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC

WE FILLED THE PAVILION AT OUR ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC SUNDAY

We had a great turnout for the annual Labor Day Weekend picnic on Sunday at Lake Linden Park. Thanks to all who helped organize the picnic, to those who staffed the grill, and to all the attendees for filling the potluck table with tasty foods!

US Senate Candidate Rachel Howard, and Houghton County Commissioner (D4 - City of Houghton) Gretchen Janssen (Photo Credits: Steve Blackburn and Nancy Verive)

We heard from a number of speakers at the picnic:

US Senate Candidate Rachel Howard, a retired Army veteran, inspired us with her story. (You can learn more about Rachel, and hear her story for yourself at her campaign website.) Nominating petitions for Rachel circulated at the picnic.
Our very own Gretchen Janssen spoke about her time as Houghton County Commissioner and thanked HCDP members for their support over the years.

Clockwise from top left: Bobby Anttila, Jennifer Figler, Audrey Gerard and Lisa Nelson. (Photo Credits: Nancy Verive)

Michigan Democratic Party Regional Specialist (and Marquette County Dems 1st Vice Chair) Bobby Anttila spoke about Democrats long ties with Labor, and reflected on the tragic 1913 Italian Hall disaster.
Marquette County Dems Chair Jennifer Figler spoke on the importance of building strong connections across the UP.
Lisa Nelson spoke on the RankMIVote ballot initiative, brought petitions for each of us to sign, and asked for recruits to circulate petitions.
Audrey Gerard, Regional Manager for Michigan United (and former Organizing Chair for the HCDP) spoke on the Michigan Money Out of Politics ballot initiative, brought petititons for us to sign, and asked for recruits to circulate petitions.

Volunteer grill masters Tony Villa-Real and Steve Blackburn

UP ARTS & CULTURE ALLIANCE ASKS FOR YOUR HELP

The Upper Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance is urging all of us in the UP to contact our state legislators to “send a loud, clear message” against the Michigan House’s proposed elimination of all funding for arts and culture. This funding cut is part of a number of cuts in the Republican-led House’s budget legislation (see this Detroit Free Press article for a listing of the cuts - it’s not pretty). The House budget bill was introduced later than usual, and House members were not allowed any time to review the bill before a vote was taken. The bill passed along party lines.

“The Michigan House of Representatives [has] passed a budget that completely eliminates all funding for arts and culture. This devastating proposal will decimate the Upper Peninsula’s creative sector, threatening hundreds if not thousands of jobs, weakening our tourism economies, and stripping communities of the programs and cultural resources they rely on for quality of life…

The House, Senate, and Governor must agree on a budget before October 1 to avoid a government shutdown. Negotiations are happening right now, and this is our moment to act. We need every advocate to send a loud, clear message that cutting arts and culture is unacceptable.

Here’s what you can do: Contact your legislators (House, Senate, AND Governor Whitmer’s Office) - their contact info is below. Call, email, and schedule meetings with your representatives.”

From the UP Arts & Culture Alliance

The full message from the UP Arts and Culture Alliance includes an email template and phone script, as well as contact information for UP state legislators.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO REVIEW THE FULL MESSAGE AND THEN TAKE ACTION.

TRAINING FOR THOSE CONSIDERING A RUN FOR OFFICE

The National Democratic Training Committee is offering a virtual live training session for anyone considering a run for office. The training will take place online this Thursday, September 4th, at 1 PM.

This training is right for you if you're considering a run for elected office but haven't yet made the commitment to run or filed your candidacy.

Goals of the training are to help you learn the following:

Understand the steps necessary to run for office
Explain best practices for choosing which office to run for
Identify what support you'll need from your team
Prepare for sharing your decision to run with friends and family

Keweenaw Indivisible Workers Over Billionaires Rally

Several folks turned out at the Houghton Pier on Labor Day to hear speakers, listen to music and visit the tables of local groups/organizations, all gathered to celebrate and stand in solidarity with working people.

Below are a few pictures from Brian Hoduski of the Copper Country National Park Service retirees. This group spoke on the need to save our national parks amidst the funding cuts and firings of NPS employees by the Trump administration.

See this Facebook post from event sponsor Keweeenaw Indivisible that features the many other groups who tabled at the Pier, including your own Houghton County Democrats.

Copper Country NPS retirees at the Workers Over Billionaires Rally. (Photo credits: Brian Hoduski)

Governmental & Community Meetings

THU SEP 4

The South Range Village Council meets Thursday at 6 PM in the South Range Community Building. For more information contact the Village at [email protected] or (906) 482-8833

This newsletter is paid for with regulated funds by the Houghton County Democratic Party, and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.