March Action Meet Up Scheduled

MONTHLY MEETING THANK YOU!

Between 30 and 40 people joined us for our Monthly Meeting last Wednesday. Due to the weather the meeting was held completely virtually via Zoom. Thankful to everyone for showing up and for all you are doing to fight back and protect our democracy!!

Also grateful to the attendees who updated us on some of the other local progressive groups. Those include:

• AWAVE (Advocates for Those Without a Voice Everywhere): This group has formed just in the last several weeks. Among their objectives is to be a hub of information, to spread the word on local events, and to recruit people to attend local government meetings. The organizers are thrilled with the response they’ve gotten and are determining how to best focus their efforts. To date they have established a Facebook group and have held meetings to discuss ideas and actions. For more information contact [email protected]

• CRAG (Citizens Rally for Accountable Government): CRAG is organized by local citizen Susan Green and seeks to encourage people to become involved with local government by attending meetings and speaking out on issues of concern. You can join the CRAG mailing list here.

• KEWEENAW INDIVISIBLE: This local group has just formed to coordinate and mobilize to inform the local community of the corruption of the current administration, and pressure elected officials to speak up in support of our people. To join or inquire about their efforts email them here.

• YOOPERS FOR UKRAINE: Organized by Nadija Packauskas this group has held weekly walks and sunrise services in support of Ukraine as it defends itself in the war of aggression by Russia. You can learn more and become involved by visiting their Facebook group or emailing them here.

NOTE: It was Yoopers for Ukraine who organized the Stand for American Values march on the Lift Bridge last Tuesday night WHICH WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. See their Facebook post with comments and lots of photos here.

MARCH ACTION MEETUP SCHEDULED

THE SECOND ACTION MEET UP WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19TH AT THE 5TH & ELM. COME JOIN US!

• If you are frustrated with the actions (i.e. the unconstitutional power grab) of the Trump administration and the unelected Elon Musk, and want to take action PLEASE ATTEND.

• If you have ideas for actions we should be taking PLEASE ATTEND.

• If you are affiliated with another local progressive organization, and want to partner to multiply impact, PLEASE ATTEND.

5TH AND ELM CAN HAVE PIZZA PIPING HOT WHEN YOU ARRIVE - CALL (906) 483-2294 IN ADVANCE TO ORDER, THE EARLIER THE BETTER!

WHO: You, we hope, along with other like-minded progressive folks.

WHAT: An action-oriented get together to discuss what we can do to meet the current threat to our democracy.

WHEN: 6 PM next Wednesday evening, March 19th.

WHERE: 5th & Elm at the Orpheum Theater, 426 Quincy Street in Hancock (Google Map).

WHY: To use our power to effect change. To save our democracy. To ACT!

LOCAL ACTION - Bergman Town Hall in Houghton

Last week’s Bergman Town Hall in Escanaba, organized by local citizens who are frustrated that the Congressman hasn’t held a town hall in 8 years, was a big success, even if Rep. Bergman failed to attend. You’ve likely seen the coverage by TV6, and maybe you saw that it even made the national news with a segment on the Rachel Maddow Show on Friday. (video here - the segment starts about 10 min. in).

That same frustration with Bergman is also visible among constituents here in Houghton County. And just like Escanaba’s Teresa Ross, local resident Bill Fink has decided to go ahead and help Jack Bergman out by organizing a town hall for him.

So, get your questions for Jack in order and plan to attend this Town Hall next Tuesday.

And tell all your friends and neighbors to come too! Click here to download the PDF poster of the “Missing” flyer to print and share.

WHO: Concerned local residents and constituents of Rep. Jack Bergman just like you

WHAT: A Town Hall for Rep. Bergman (yes, he’s been invited to attend, but will he show up?)

WHEN: 7 PM next Tuesday March 18th.

WHERE: Keweenaw United Unitarian Fellowship, 604 Bridge Street in Houghton (Google Map).

WHY: To bring your concerns to your US Representative in a true Town Hall setting.

TAKE ACTION - Your Help Needed in Special Elections Happening Soon

SPECIAL ELECTIONS COULD TIP CONTROL OF THE US HOUSE

In last week’s newsletter we told you about the importance of two special elections in Florida to replace departed Republican representatives. Your help for Democrats Josh Weil and Gay Valimont in those Florida races could mean the difference in flipping control of the US House. That may sound impossible, but there is enough discontent with Trump and Musk across the country right now that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

A WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT SEAT THAT ELON MUSK IS TRYING TO BUY

This week we also want to direct your attention to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race where Elon Musk is now dropping millions of dollars to fund deceptive ads in an effort to buy the Republican candidate the seat.

In the April 1st election Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, who is backed by Democrats, faces off against the conservative Brad Schimel. The winner will replace Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who is retiring from the court at the end of her term.

You can help your fellow Democrats in Wisconsin keep a progressive State Supreme Court by contributing to Susan Crawford’s campaign or participating remotely in a phonebank to get out the vote.

FLORIDA SPECIAL ELECTION

• Josh Weil: Learn More and Contribute | Phone Bank Remotely 

• Gay Vlimont: Learn More and Contribute | Phone Bank Remotely

WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT

• Susan Crawford: Learn More and Contribute | Phone Bank Remotely

Spring Fling May 3rd

JOIN US AT THE 63RD ANNUAL SPRING FLING BANQUET AND FUNDRAISER

SATURDAY, MAY 3

DINNER, AWARDS, AND SILENT AUCTION

To donate items for the auction or to place an ad in the program, contact Nancy Verive. Email: [email protected] ph: 812-573-1403.

This year’s theme:

MEETING THE MOMENT

Watch future newsletters for more details! 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
$55 PER PERSON / $45 FOR STUDENTS AND SENIORS

Registration Now Open For the MDP Rural Caucus Summit

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR RURAL CAUCUS SUMMIT APRIL 10, 11 & 12TH

THE GREAT RURAL REVIVAL
This space is ours - to plan, unite, and resist harassment.

Through local leadership, community building, and organizing, our work starts now to build the power and strategies to move rural Michigan forward. We need your voice and energy in this effort. Join us to process what’s happened, and what’s next, and strengthen our collective commitment to our Democratic message.

News from Lansing

• ATTORNEYS GENERAL, INCLUDING NESSEL, FILE SUIT TO STOP MASS FIRING OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: A coalition of 20 attorneys general, including Michigan’s Dana Nessel, filed suit against President Donald Trump and several federal agencies for conducting illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees. The suit, filed Thursday, says the agencies failed to give at least 60 days’ advance notice to state governments so they could provide vital “rapid response” information, resources, and services to affected workers, as required by law. The full legal filing is available here. MORE: AG Nessel Press Release

• COFFIA HAS BLUNT WORDS FOR MICHIGANDERS: In a Facebook post on Saturday MI state Rep. Betsy Coffia, representing the 103rd district (Traverse City area) had some blunt encouragement for all of us in Michigan. We need to keep pushing - push all our Federal representatives to “do their damn jobs”. We hear you Betsy. MORE: Coffia’s FB Post

• STATE REP MORGAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO FORMALLY REPEAL MICHIGAN’S BAN ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: In a response to the calls by Republican state Sen. Josh Shriver to urge the Supreme Court to reverse the Obergefell ruling (which we highlighted last week), state Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) has introduced a House Joint Resolution to formally repeal Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage. If the resolution passes it would place a ballot initiative before Michigan voters to remove the same-sex marriage ban from the state constitution. Morgan was a guest on this week’s MI Dems Party on the Peninsulas podcast, where he discussed his resolution. MORE: MI House Democrats Press Release

• GILCHRIST FORMS CANDIDATE COMMITTEE: Lt. Governor Garland Gilchrist filed paperwork last Tuesday to form a committee to run for governor in 2026. Sources close to the Lt. Governor say an announcement could come as soon as this week. MORE: Detroit Free Press 

• BUTTIGIEG AND SCHUMER MEET TO DISCUSS SENATE RUN: Politico reports that former Transportation Secretary and Traverse City area resident Pete Buttigieg met last week with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss a possible Senate run in 2026. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow is also said to be telling colleagues she intends to run. MORE: Politico

• JUDGE FINDS HOUSE ERRED IN NOT PRESENTING BILLS TO WHITMER: In news on a topic we’ve reported about in past weeks, a state Court of Claims judge ruled two Thursdays back in favor of the state Senate in a dispute over 9 bills passed by both houses in the last legislative session that the state House has neglected to present to the Governor for signature. Notably, the judge did NOT also issue an order directing the House to rectify it’s error. This is not expected to be the last word in the matter, as an appeal is anticipated. MORE: Detroit News

News from Washington

• TRUMP DID NOT HAVE A GOOD WEEK: We could spill a lot of digital ink trying to summarize Washington news over the last week, but the above social media post from Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg managed to sum it all up in eight bullet points. The bottom line is that Trump’s plans are NOT going as he would like, and that’s in large part due to push back / resistance from the grassroots - from all of us. KEEP IT UP!!

Governmental & Community Meetings

TUE MAR 11

This month's regular meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners is this afternoon at 4 PM in the Conference Room on the fifth floor of the Houghton County Courthouse. Find more information on the Board's webpage (find the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting info in the Agenda).

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

WED MAR 12

The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Meeting Agenda can be found in the Searchable Document Center of the Council's website.

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

Contact us by email at [email protected] or by text or voicemail at 906-523-1233