Endorsements build on primary election victories, where labor-backed candidates won up and down the ticket
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 20, 2026
Contact: Chad Cyrowski, CCyrowski@miaflcio.org, 248.867.9508
LANSING, MI — Today, the Michigan AFL-CIO, the state’s largest labor federation and home to over 1 million union members and their families, endorsed a slate of workers-first candidates in the 2026 general election (all of our endorsements can be viewed here). An endorsement from Michigan’s labor movement means more funding, more boots on the ground, and more support from Michigan’s workers — and comes at a critical time for voters struggling to make ends meet. In the primary, nearly 80% of Michigan AFL-CIO-endorsed candidates won their elections.
As the Trump administration and its allies continue their war on working families, Michigan’s labor movement is fighting back. The candidates endorsed today are defenders of the working class who understand that when unions rise, workers rise.
“Labor-backed candidates won their primaries up and down the ticket because labor-backed candidates care about working Michiganders,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Michiganders are already struggling to make ends meet, and they’re voting for leaders who will put workers first, not billionaires. That’s why we’re proud to endorse candidates that will put workers first in the general election. Congratulations to all of our candidates, it’s time to come together and win in November.”
The Michigan labor movement’s endorsement demonstrates a deep commitment to candidates that put the needs of working Michiganders before special interests and giant corporations. From protecting healthcare and social security to guaranteeing a living wage, these candidates are the frontline in the fight for economic and social justice.
The Michigan AFL-CIO is proud to endorse the following additional candidates:
- Senate
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- Abdul El-Sayed, MI
- U.S. Representative
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- Hillary Scholten, CD-03
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- William Lawrence, CD-07
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- Christina Hines, CD-10
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- Jeremy Moss, CD-11
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- Rashida Tlaib, CD-12
- State Senate
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- Justin Onwenu, SD-01
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- Abbas Alawieh, SD-02
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- John Conyers III, SD-03
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- Theresa Brooks, SD-09
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- Natalie Price, SD-10
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- Anthony Pennock, SD-18
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- Abbie Groff-Blaszak, SD-29
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- Stan Opal, SD-33
- State House
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- Joanna Whaley, HD-002
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- Regina Ross, HD-004
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- Candace Calloway, HD-005
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- Melanie Macey, HD-006
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- Kimberly Fisher, HD-011
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- Kelly Garrett, HD-018
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- Nick Rowe, HD-042
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- Tom Turner, HD-057
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- Matt Schlinker, HD-068
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- Khristian Silvis, HD-084
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- Joseph McClusky, HD-086
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- AnnMarie Horseman, HD-095
For a complete list of Michigan AFL-CIO endorsements, please click here.
The Michigan AFL-CIO endorsement process includes a thorough vetting of each candidate’s experience, policy positions, and plan to win. Union members spent hundreds of hours interviewing applicants, reviewing detailed questionnaire responses, and carefully considering the strengths of all contenders. As a labor federation, the Michigan AFL-CIO’s endorsement decisions are determined by a vote of its affiliated unions.
The Michigan AFL-CIO encourages voters to learn more about its endorsed candidates here: https://miaflcio.vote/endorsements/
The Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan’s largest labor organization, is a federation representing forty different labor organizations, eighteen different central labor councils, and eight constituency groups representing over 1 million union members and their families.
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