Aug 7, 2018
August Primaries Are Here…And They Matter More Than Ever.
Today’s the big day for candidates in four states that hold the keys to November’s midterm elections. Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, and Washington are holding their primaries.
In November 2016, states like Michigan went red, leaving behind a decades long history of democratic voter turnout. This year, voters can rewrite that narrative and bring progressive values back to their local communities. And our candidates are the ones driving that voter turnout -- by knocking doors, talking to voters about issues that matter to them, and giving folks something to vote for, they’re engaging people in the process in a new and exciting way.
We’re so proud to endorse 17 candidates for office today. Get to know these vibrant and diverse rockstars. They’re not just the future leaders of our party— they’re the right-here-right-now heroes we need.
KANSAS
Aidan Koster
Kansas State House of Representatives, District 45 https://www.kosterforkansas.com
Aidan Loveland Koster is a 37-year-old trained administrator and mother of two who has worked in state public health service, higher education, the nonprofit sector, and the corporate world. Her family has spent the last 45 years dedicated to improving children’s health and public education, and Aidan is ready to take that effort to the next level. She is running for the 45th District of the Kansas House, hoping to unseat a blue county Republican who has held the seat for 22 years.
Matthew Calcara
Kansas State House of Representatives, District 30
https://matthewcalcara.com
A third-generation Kansan born and raised in Johnson County, Matthew Calcara is a graduate of the Shawnee Mission School District and the University of Southern California. After spending many years working for CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg, Matt was a digital producer and IT project manager for blue chip companies like Guthy|Renker, Capital Group and Disney (where he was a producer for Disneyland.com). A volunteer with the Voter Registration Project as well as Connecting for Good, and a board member of Equality Kansas of Metro Kansas City, Matt is running against an ultraconservative two-term incumbent for the 30th district (Olathe & Lenexa) of the Kansas House of Representatives.
MICHIGAN
Abraham Aiyash
Michigan State Senate, District 2
https://www.voteabraham.com
Abraham, the son of Yemeni immigrants, was born and raised in Michigan to a union family where he learned the values of hard work and commitment to community. Abraham started his life in public service at a young age, organizing for Barack Obama’s historic campaign. He started an organization that mentors refugee youth and worked for a State Representative in Lansing. Abraham believes we need new energy in our politics that will bring collaborative, progressive thinking to protect our environment, reform our criminal justice system, and dismantle the DeVos agenda.
Aghogho Edevbie
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 6
http://www.aghogho.com
Aghogho Edevbie is running to ensure there is progress for everyone in Detroit, Ecorse, and River Rouge in Michigan’s 6th State House District. A son of immigrants, Aghogho’s experiences as an organizer, teacher, and lawyer have given him a unique perspective on the challenges facing his district, along with the ability to unite its diverse segments. With poverty being the major obstacle, Aghogho will do his all to make sure the 6th District has the jobs, skills, community schools, and public transportation it needs to reach its full potential.
Dan Centers
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 19
http://www.dancenters.com
Dan Centers is a fourth-generation resident of Livonia, Michigan, where he was born and raised, attended Livonia Public Schools K-12, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After college, Dan worked as an elementary classroom teacher. He currently works in higher education, making college more affordable for students, while also serving on the Livonia School Board, where he was elected. In 2017, he was honored with the award of Merit from the Michigan Association of School Boards. Also, he was named Outstanding Young Michigander by the Michigan Jaycee Foundation in 2014, recognizing his work to help hungry children and students with special needs.
Kyle Cooper
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 45
https://cooperformihouse.wordpress.com
Kyle Cooper is an Oakland University alum and an 8 year resident of the Rochester area. Born and raised in Michigan to a blue collar family, Kyle learned to work with his hands from an early age. Kyle hopes to become a high school teacher one day, but seeing the current problems with public education in Michigan, and around the country, he decided to run for something.
Kyra Harris Bolden
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 35
http://www.votebolden.com/
Kyra Harris Bolden is a lifelong resident of Southfield and proud product of Southfield Public Schools. Moved to give voice to issues to improve her community, Bolden attended law school to gain the skills necessary to be a strong advocate for the rights of others. Bolden currently serves as a Civil Litigation Attorney and a Commissioner on Southfield’s Total Living Commission. She cares deeply about the community that raised her. Bolden will be a BOLD voice for young people, working families and seniors.
Laurie Pohutsky
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 19
http://www.lauriepohutskyformichigan.com
Laurie is a millennial microbiologist running a grassroots campaign on a progressive agenda. Her commitment to community service and activism began at Michigan State University, where she was a member of the campus LGBTQ-straight alliance and volunteered at the local crisis center. She has spent her career in laboratories doing everything from food safety to toxicology testing. As a scientist, she has a fierce commitment to protecting the environment. Laurie is also a strong supporter of a single-payer healthcare system that will also prioritize mental health services.
Mari Manoogian
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 40
https://www.mariformi.com
Born and raised in Birmingham, which is part of Michigan’s 40th District, Mari Manoogian got her start in public service as an intern for former Dean of the House of Representatives John Dingell (D-MI), and interned for former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. She has also served in the Offices of English Language Programs and eDiplomacy at the State Department. Manoogian has a Master of Arts in Global Communication and International Organizations from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
Myya Jones
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 4
www.myyajones.com
Myya is proud to be a lifelong Detroiter and Michigan State University alumna! She uses her many platforms to spark dialogue concerning marginalized groups, and how they can acquire resources to advance their communities. Specifically, she has been successful in advocating for cultural sensitivity and diversity training for officers, faculty, and staff at MSU — mandating mandatory sexual assault workshops — acquiring in-state tuition for Dreamers — and accessing educational resources for minority students to increase retention and graduation rates. Become a State Representative will allow her to give people of color, women, and Millennials a seat at the table in Michigan politics.
Ricardo White
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 6
www.secure.actblue.com/donate/ricardoforrep
Ricardo is a lifelong Detroit resident running for State Representative in Michigan’s 6th district. He has worked in Detroit politics for 10 years, served on the District 6 neighborhood service center, and worked for the Michigan legislature. He is running a campaign focused on insurance reform, job creation, and environmental justice. If elected he will be the first openly gay African-American State Representative in Michigan’s history.
Wisam Naoum
Michigan State House of Representatives, District 30
https://www.wisamformichigan.com
Wisam is running for State Representative in Michigan’s 30th District. A finance lawyer and community activist, Wisam founded a nonprofit to mentor traumatized children resettled during the Iraq War, worked with the prior Administration to fight ISIS and protect victims of genocide in Iraq, and helped lead the fight against the current Administration to prevent the deportations of his community members to Iraq. Wisam decided to leave his career representing big banks in order to fight for the People after witnessing firsthand the corrosive effects of Wall Street’s policies on the working class, the economy, and our politics.
MISSOURI
Ian Mackey
Missouri State House of Representatives, District 87
www.imackey.com
Growing up in the Ozarks, Ian became interested in politics through conversations with rural, conservative Missourians. If elected, he will use his background as a teacher, and attorney, to work on issues like education and criminal justice reform that have the potential to bridge the urban-rural divide that plagues state politics, while also advancing ideas that Democrats have long championed in our state legislature.
Keri Ingle
Missouri State House of Representatives, District 35
https://www.keriingle.com
Keri is a wife, mother of two, former military brat, and Licensed Master Social Worker who has served her community working in child welfare, community mental health centers, schools, and hospitals. These experiences left an indelible mark on her- and lead to her wanting to advocate for the most vulnerable communities at the legislative level. Keri will fight for fairness, justice, and to amplify the voices of those struggling beneath the weight of bureaucracy.
Kevin Windham
Missouri State House of Representatives, District 85
http://www.windham2018.org
Kevin Windham is a lifelong member of the community and is seeking election to the Missouri House of Representatives for the 85th District. Kevin is a public servant with experience working in federal and state government. While studying corporate communication at Southeast Missouri State University, Kevin was active in the President’s Task Force on Diversity Education, Student Government, and FOCUS St. Louis’ Impact Fellows.
Kevin is a leader who will fight both in Jefferson City and St. Louis with legislative priority focused on criminal justice reform, community revitalization, access to higher education, and the growth of a skilled workforce.
Sam Gladney
Missouri State House of Representatives, District 87
https://www.samgladney.com
Sam is running for State Representative because our legislature is failing to produce results. Sam knows that the job of a progressive, simply stated, is to seek progress in the lives of ordinary people. When he sees women in his own family struggle with the rising cost of childcare, or when he sees a court system the perpetuates a cycle of poverty, he knows something must change. As an Army veteran, he knows that results matter. Sadly, our current government is heavy on rhetoric, and light on results. Let’s Do Better.
WASHINGTON
Sasha Bentley-Feinberg
Washington State Legislature, District 14 — Position 1
www.sashaforstate.com
Sasha Bentley will work tirelessly to support working people, grow the middle class, and help communities left behind. She will champion state and private investments, ensuring that our district, from the City of Yakima to our rural areas, receives resources it needs to thrive. Sasha is committed to working across the aisle on important issues like affordable housing, education, healthcare, and property tax reduction. She is a resourceful problem solver, hard-working entrepreneur, and proven leader who is passionate about public service and transparent, efficient government. Sasha is dedicated to working year-round to be your voice in Olympia.
