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Is the word getting out about Dem wins or about what Republicans are really doing in our world? Try our one-question-quiz! Answers at the end of the newsletter.
WCDP 2024 Endorsements
Candidates endorsed by the WCDP appear in our Voter Guide (both the paper and the electronic version, MIvoter.org), informing voters all across the county.
Every WCDP member can participate in the process, and every candidate can request the WCDP’s endorsement. Find the instructions here, and mark your calendars!
Shop WCDP Merch now!
WCDP volunteer Lisa Murphy has designed a line of t-shirts, totes, and yard signs for the all-new WCDP store! Pick your message (samples below), and support the WCDP and the union members who’ve made the merch. Here are some samples – visit the store to find more!
2024 WCDP Garden Party
Save the date: July 27, 3 to 6pm
Help support the WCDP by attending or sponsoring someone else to attend our 2024 Annual Garden Party hosted by Anne and Chris Savage. Come see their beautiful organic garden, eat scrumptious, homemade food, and connect with fellow Democrats. Rain date is July 28.
With featured speaker Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
Every dollar raised will be used to reach voters and increase turnout throughout Washtenaw County including: outreach activities, voter guides, poll greeting cards, keeping the office open, and much more.
Get tickets today! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/gardenparty-2024
ICYMI: Forum with Democratic candidates for U.S Senate
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin declined to participate, but candidates Hill Harper and Nasser Beydoun powerfully presented distinct visions for the nation’s future and enjoyed intimate conversation with the attendees and moderator Stacie McNulty.
- Nasser Beydoun, Business leader, Civic activist, Board Member, Arab American Civil Rights League
- Hill Harper, Lawyer, union organizer, actor
- Moderator: Stacie McNulty
What have Dems done for you lately?
Creatively cancelling as much student loan debt as possible
We just want to set a record straight. Out and about, some of us have heard the complaint that Biden has failed to cancel student loan debt. Please.
His first proposal – to forgive the debt of nearly all 40 million federal student loan borrowers, $400 billion in total – was crushed by the ultra-conservative U.S. Supreme Court. But he has since whittled away at the problem with every tool he has, and to date has forgiven nearly $160 billion for some 4.6 million borrowers.
And he’s still at it. Republicans – in Congress and in the courts – are trying every which way to block Biden’s efforts to provide relief to student borrowers. But he keeps at it, working for all of us ordinary Americans. Let’s give our president the credit he richly deserves!
Volunteers Needed
VOLUNTEERS urgently needed on Saturday, June 1st to help us at the upcoming Ann Arbor African American Festival. It’s our season to go out to community events to remind people that we’re here, we’re friendly, and we’re important to democracy and the many things they care about. Join our Visibility team at the WCDP table. Shifts are two hours long, and you don’t need to be a policy expert! Information and training provided. Click on the form here to indicate your interest in the African American Festival (or our other tabling/parade events on the list below), and we’ll send you more information: https://forms.gle/sLxZYbjb285Dnbk66
WCDP Tabling and Parade Calendar
- Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Every Saturday beginning May 4 to October
- Chelsea Sounds & Sights. Select Thursdays in June and July
- Ann Arbor African American Festival. Saturday, June 1
- Ann Arbor Juneteenth Celebration. Saturday, June 15
- Ypsilanti Juneteenth Celebration. Saturday, June 22 – Sunday, June 23
- Milan Pride Picnic. Saturday, June 22
- Ypsilanti July 4th Parade. Thursday, July 4
- Ann Arbor July 4th Parade. Thursday, July 4
- Whitmore Lake July 4th Parade. Thursday, July 4
- Ann Arbor Art Fair. Thursday, July 18 – Saturday, July 20
- Ypsilanti Jazz in the Parking Lot. Saturday, July 20
WordPress Skills Needed
We are looking for volunteers who know how to use WordPress for website development and upkeep for a variety of interesting and important projects. Could this be you? We’d love to have you join our team! Please contact our WCDP volunteer coordinator at: volunteer@washtenawdems.org.
WCDP June 1 Meeting
Democratic Candidates for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in Districts 5 and 6
This meeting will only be held online! See below for the Zoom link.
Messaging Michigan’s Clean Energy & Climate Action package – with Peter Sinclair
Our Clean Energy and Climate Action package is a huge win for Michigan and for the planet. It makes Michigan a national leader, with a 100% clean energy standard and strong labor provisions, streamlining construction and lowering utility costs. The law guarantees farmers’ control over their land, but Republicans are building a campaign arguing the opposite. Learn the facts and how to message them. DemCast Michigan has a great set of informational videos to share on the subject.
Democratic Candidates for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, District 5
- Justin Hodge, LMSW, Chair, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners
- Leah Mills-Chapman
- Ronnie Peterson
- Moderator: Evan Milan
Democratic Candidates for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, District 6
- Ryan Hunter, Ypsilanti Township Trustee; Manager of Government and Community Relations at Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County; Volunteer with Mentor2Youth and Punks w/ Lunch
- Ricky Jefferson (invited)
- Kat Layton, LMSW – Community-centric Social Worker; Harm Reductionist; Community Organizer; Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Ypsilanti
- Annie Somerville, County Commissioner, District 6; Chief of Staff, Michigan State Senator Jeff Irwin; Member, Board of Directors, We the People Opportunity Farm
- Moderator: Eli Nathans
Register today to save your spot and get a reminder!
Or join us June 1 on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86235579707
Democratic Candidates for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, District 5
- Justin Hodge, LMSW, Chair, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners
- Leah Mills-Chapman
- Ronnie Peterson
- Moderator: Evan Milan
Democratic Candidates for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, District 6
- Ryan Hunter, Ypsilanti Township Trustee; Manager of Government and Community Relations at Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County; Volunteer with Mentor2Youth and Punks w/ Lunch
- Ricky Jefferson (invited)
- Kat Layton, LMSW – Community-centric Social Worker; Harm Reductionist; Community Organizer; Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Ypsilanti
- Annie Somerville, County Commissioner, District 6; Chief of Staff, Michigan State Senator Jeff Irwin; Member, Board of Directors, We the People Opportunity Farm
- Moderator: Eli Nathans
Register today to save your spot and get a reminder!
Or join us June 1 on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86235579707
Become a social ambassador 
A message isn’t a message if it isn’t repeated
The Democratic National Committee is coming on strong with great social messaging tools. Learn how to be an effective social ambassador for Dems. Sign up for an online training to get started. The organizing is national, but the strategy is effective locally – and we need you! You’ll get onboarded to the Reach App and get access to tons of images, videos, and messages you can adapt to your voice.
Trainings are free, virtual, under an hour, and available every couple of days, so give it a whirl.
You are the most trusted messenger in your community, so why not sign up to spread the word!
Social Ambassador? Lemme at that signup form!
Saturday, June 8, Indivisible House Party
Meet the candidates
Ann Arbor Indivisible for Democracy, Indivisible Huron Valley and Indivisible Livingston County invite you to a free, informal event in the Ann Arbor area, where you will meet three amazing candidates: Justice Kyra Harris BoldenRepresentative Jennifer Conlin and Kimberly Ann Thomas
Register today to save your spot & get a reminder:https://www.mobilize.us/washtenawdems/event/619961/
Biden-Harris SignsAnd they are free!Now available at the WCDP Office: 418 West Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.
First come, first served! Come see us during office hours: Tuesdays, 4-6; Thursdays, 3-6; Saturdays, 1-3; Sundays, 1-3 (But we will be closed Sat/Sun on Memorial Day Weekend.)
Candidate Partners Wanted
Running for something? Here’s how to
reach 3000 Washtenaw Democrats
Democratic campaigns can get linked on our website, benefit from our email blasts, join us on social media, and place an ad in our website ‘ad book’ reaching 3,000 Washtenaw County Democrats. This opportunity is open to all Democratic candidates and does not constitute an endorsement from the WCDP.
To sign up, visit our Candidate Partners ActBlue page.
Got a question for the quiz? Send it to dimassell@gmail.com
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