Six HVALF-Endorsed Candidates WIN in 2026 Primaries!
The dust has settled on Michigan’s August 5 primary elections, and the results are in: pro-labor candidates made a big statement. The tide is shifting toward working-class politics, and our movement is proving that when we organize, we can win.
📍 HVALF Endorsed Candidates – Headed to the General!
We are proud to announce that the following HVALF-endorsed candidates have successfully advanced to the November general election:
Yousef Rabhi – Ann Arbor Mayor
Cynthia Harrison – Ann Arbor City Council Ward 1
Ryan Bartholomew – Ann Arbor City Council Ward 3
Me’Chelle King – Ypsilanti City Council Ward 1
Desirae Simmons – Ypsilanti City Council Ward 3
Derek Dobies – Jackson Mayor
❤️🩹 Honorable Mentions – Labor Champions
HVALF endorsed the following local candidates for their bold vision to make Ann Arbor affordable for the working class. While they did not win their respective races, HVALF is incredibly proud to have stood with them, and we look forward to working with them on future endeavors:
Teesha Montague – Ann Arbor City Council Ward 2
Dave Zeglen – Ann Arbor City Council Ward 4
Greg Monroe – Ann Arbor City Council Ward 5
Ⓜ️ Notable Michigan Elections
U.S. Senate: Abdul El-Sayed beat Hailey Stevens to secure the democratic nomination. Backed by the UAW, El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.
Governor: Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James won their respective primaries and will face off in the general election.
MI-13 (U.S. House): Donovan McKinney beat incumbent Shri Thanedar to be the democratic nominee.
MI-07 (U.S. House): William Lawrence, co-founder of Sunrise and progressive activist, beat two challengers to be the democratic nominee.
✊ What This Means for Us
These victories signal that voters are hungry for leaders who prioritize workers' rights, affordable housing, fair wages, and more. But, winning a primary is only half the battle. To ensure these candidates win in November, we need to turn our enthusiasm into action.
🚨 How You Can Help Right Now:
Volunteer: Use the links above to sign up to volunteer for local campaigns.
Donate: Use the links above to donate to local campaigns.
Spread the Word: Share this email with your network!
Save the Date: The General Election is November 3, 2026. Let’s make sure this wave doesn't stop here.