Happy Monday, Democrats!
This week, we want to introduce you to Curtis Hertel, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Since taking office, he has worked tirelessly to modernize party infrastructure and invest in everyday working families by building a robust, year-round organizing program across the state. From major urban centers to the Upper Peninsula, the MDP is ensuring no community is overlooked as momentum builds across Michigan, especially in its fight to elect a Democratic trifecta this November.
Learn more about Chair Hertel’s background, recent accomplishments, and the party’s midterm strategy in our latest interview.
You have a remarkable career, previously serving in the Michigan State Senate. Can you discuss why you decided to run for Michigan Democratic Party Chair and what you hope to accomplish in this position?
I’ve dedicated my career to public service guided by a simple belief: when we work together, we make a real difference in people’s lives. Throughout my career in public office, I’ve stayed focused on delivering results. As an Ingham County Commissioner, I fought to expand healthcare access to thousands of residents before the ACA and helped pass a living wage ordinance.
Later, as Register of Deeds, I took on major national banks to keep families in their homes. In the State Senate, I helped build the coalition that won Michigan’s first Democratic trifecta in decades. And as Legislative Director for Governor Whitmer, I helped oversee one of the most productive legislative sessions in state history, restoring workers’ rights, lifting thousands of children out of poverty, and cutting taxes for working families.
At its core, the Democratic Party is the party of working people, and we’re at our best when we stay focused on that mission. As Chair, I’ve prioritized building year-round organizing and voter protection programs to deliver on that promise across all 83 counties. I’m optimistic about growing our strength this November so we can continue delivering for working families.
Michigan is a true battleground state, with a Democratic governor but voted Republican in the 2024 presidential election. What does it look like to lead Democrats in a swing state, and how do you focus on winning up and down the ballot?
As I mentioned, Democrats win when we deliver on our core mission of fighting for working families. That’s why rebuilding grassroots organizing has been central to my work as Chair.
The MDP’s job is to empower local organizers doing the critical work on the ground. During my tenure, we’ve helped revitalize dormant county parties and compete everywhere. Just last month, I visited every county in the Upper Peninsula. Even in traditionally conservative areas, the enthusiasm for Democratic values is palpable.
Heading into the midterms, we’re proud to have 25 field offices open statewide with nearly 80 full-time organizers on the ground.
State parties are only as strong as the infrastructure behind them. How do DNC investments translate into real capacity on the ground in Michigan?
We’re deeply grateful for the support of our coalition partners, including unions, grassroots activists, progressive groups, and the DNC. DNC investments allow us to sustain full-time organizing and voter protection operations year-round. This infrastructure ensures Democrats remain competitive in every district while safeguarding voting rights across the state.
Our goal is to ensure voters in every community know Democrats are present, listening, and working for them every single day.
You have helped deliver some of the biggest legislative wins in Michigan, from repealing the retirement tax to bringing thousands of children out of poverty. How have these accomplishments shaped your vision for your leadership?
The Democratic trifecta delivered transformative results: restoring labor rights, expanding access to free school meals for all children, lifting families out of poverty, and providing targeted tax relief for working households.
These policies have real-world impacts, ensuring kids don’t go hungry, workers are protected, and seniors can afford healthcare and groceries. Delivering tangible progress is why I do this work, and re-establishing our trifecta will allow us to keep building on that momentum.
Michigan held its primary election last month. How do state parties operate during the primaries, and how do they shift once candidates are selected?
I strongly believe the state party must remain neutral during primary contests to guarantee a fair, credible process for our members. At the same time, our pre-primary groundwork is vital. We maintain active, year-round field and voter protection programs so organizers and volunteers have the tools they need well before general election match-ups are finalized.
Our flagship organizing initiative, Project 83, operates across every county in Michigan. The program focuses on volunteer training, data infrastructure, community event outreach, and candidate support, acting as the primary link between the state party, local committees, and grassroots clubs.
This cycle, we are supporting more than 450 down-ballot candidates, building on the success of electing over 300 local leaders last cycle. By investing in local leaders today, we build the bench for state and federal leadership tomorrow.
We are quickly approaching our get-out-the-vote efforts nationwide. How are the Michigan Democrats organizing voters this election season, and how do these efforts drive turnout on Election Day?
Our organizing model isn’t seasonal; it runs 365 days a year. Right after the 2024 elections, we returned to work hosting community town halls, supporting local party leadership, and expanding voter outreach in every region.
Through Project 83 and our local partnerships, we maintain a persistent presence in all 83 counties to ensure voters stay engaged long before Election Day.
Ahead of the midterms, our 25 field offices and 70+ staff members serve as focal points for door-knocking, phone banking, and volunteer training efforts that turn enthusiasm into voter turnout.
What does success look like for the Michigan State Party in 2026, and what’s the one thing you want Democrats across the country to understand about what’s at stake?
Success in 2026 means re-establishing a Democratic trifecta in Michigan and electing our full statewide slate. Candidates like Jocelyn Benson, Abdul El-Sayed, Eli Savit, and Garlin Gilchrist are proven champions for working families, and we are committed to supporting them up and down the ballot.
Sustained, old-school organizing across every community is essential to building long-term political strength. Our year-round commitment in every Michigan county will be the foundation of our success this November.
Learn more about the Michigan Democratic Party and Get Involved
To learn more about the work of the Michigan Democratic Party, including upcoming events, candidate information, and opportunities to get involved, visit the party’s official website.
We are also 36 days away from Election Day, and states need your support to help Democrats cross the finish line. If you have even an hour to spare, help the Michigan Democratic Party get out the vote!
You can also follow the Michigan Democratic Party on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).
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