VRLA WOMEN TO WATCH 2024
Michigan, meet your candidates
Michigan’s primary election day is Tuesday, August 6, and early voting starts July 27.
These candidates are running to bring new perspectives and real progressive change to communities throughout the state, so find your district and see who’s running.
State Representative Candidates
Regina Weiss
House District 5
State Rep. Regina Weiss represents Michigan’s 6th House District (Huntington Woods, Berkley, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Detroit, Royal Oak Township). Rep. Weiss is a former educator in Detroit Public Schools, Oak Park City Council member, and advocate for local investments. She is dedicated to improving education policy with firsthand classroom experience.
Natalie Price
House District 6
Rep. Natalie Price is committed to unity and progress. With experience in community leadership on Berkley City Council, Natalie advocates for public schools, municipal strength and community engagement with inclusive policies. Her drive stems from a lineage of resilient women, inspiring her to foster unity and amplify voices in Lansing for a stronger Michigan.
Tonya Myers Phillips
House District 7
Tonya Myers Phillips is a lifelong advocate, educator and attorney dedicated to Detroit. She has leadership and work experience with criminal justice reform, equitable housing, community empowerment and fair economic policies. An adjunct professor at Wayne State Law School and also a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award, she continues to shape policy and offer public service.
Helena Scott
House District 8
Rep. Helena Scott, a former organizer and labor advocate, serves on the House Democrats’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Planning Committee. She led the One Fair Wage petition drive and serves on the Steering Committee to Protect and Defend One Fair Wage. She chairs the Legislative Care Caucus and the Detroit Caucus and serves in the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus.
Veronica Paiz
House District 10
Rep. Veronica Paiz is a second-generation Mexican American. She advocates for reproductive freedom, affordable healthcare, food, and housing, pension protection, childcare affordability, disability rights, insurance reform, and water infrastructure improvement. She is also an accomplished artist, whose work has been exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Art.
Kimberly Edwards
House District 12
Rep. Kimberly Edwards is a dedicated social worker and mother of four. She advocates for reproductive freedom, environmental protection, and quality education for all Michigan students via community-centered legislation. A native Michigander, she was born and raised on the west side of Detroit but has lived in Eastpointe for a decade.
Mai Xiong
House District 13
Mai Xiong was born in a Thai refugee camp. She emigrated to the U.S. at age 3. A graphic designer turned small business owner, Xiong is committed to supporting small businesses, advocating for living wages, and investing in public schools. As the first Asian-American and former refugee on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, she champions community empowerment and inclusive leadership.
Stephanie Young
House District 16
Rep. Stephanie A. Young (aka “Rep. Steph”) is a Cass Tech and MSU graduate. She brings extensive community leadership and legislative experience, advocating for education, family welfare, and community empowerment. As a minister, she serves at Historic Pure Word Missionary Baptist Church and continues to champion social justice through her legislative work.
Layla Taha
House District 25
Layla Taha was born in Dearborn and raised in Wayne. A progressive public health advocate, Layla fights for affordable healthcare, housing and environmental justice. With a background in global health and a master’s degree from Columbia University, she has dedicated years to community organizing and health policy analysis, and now serves as Program Director for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Jaime Churches
House District 27
Rep. Jaime Churches is a dedicated educator with a passion for public service. She earned a degree at Madonna University. For a decade, she has taught 5th grade across Gibraltar, Woodhaven-Brownstown and Grosse Ile Township. Churches is committed to education, labor rights and infrastructure investments. Inspired by her students, she aims to bring positive change to Lansing for Michigan families.
Janise O'Neil Robinson
House District 28
Janise O’Neil Robinson is a teacher, wife, and mother from Taylor, now residing in Brownstown. With nearly 30 years experience in special education, Robinson fights for students, teachers, and families. She pledges to listen, advocate, and unite the community for better education, reproductive rights, gun safety, infrastructure, environmental cleanup, workers’ rights, and community welfare.
Reggie Miller
House District 31
Rep. Reggie Miller prioritizes Michigan families and community service. With a background in township governance and a dedication to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, she advocates for paid family leave, school funding, and mental health services. Married with two children, she values hard work, contributing to local organizations, and supporting veterans and first responders.
Jennifer Conlin
House District 48
Rep. Jennifer Conlin brings to her district a legacy of public service and journalistic insight to Lansing. Committed to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic growth, she aims to amplify community voices and address real-life challenges facing Michigan families. Her legislative priorities also include protecting natural resources, school safety and recruiting and retaining teachers.
Sarah May-Seward
House District 51
Sarah May-Seward says she would bring 26 years of service industry expertise to the House. She has served on Oakland Community Health Network’s boardand led committees on mental health and children’s issues. As Chair of Oakland County’s Food Service Appeals Board and Vice Chair of the Sanitary Appeals Board, she ensured fair representation as she is committed to inclusivity and support for all.
Shadia Martini
House District 54
Shadia Martini was born in Aleppo, Syria, to parents who were pioneering surgeons. Emigrating to the U.S. in 1992, she earned a master’s degree from University of Michigan. She runs her own businesses in southeast Michigan and resides in Bloomfield Township. Active in state and national advocacy for human rights, she aims to enact meaningful legislation in Lansing for her community.
Aisha Farooqi
House District 57
Aisha Farooqi served as a legal aid attorney and currently works as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Wayne County. Farooqi’s dedication to justice and community stems from her upbringing in Detroit, learning the values of hard work and perseverance as a first-generation immigrant. She aims to advocate for economic development, workers’ rights and equitable policies that benefit all residents.
Denise Mentzer
House District 61
Rep. Denise Mentzer, a lifelong resident of Clinton Township, earned a degree in business from Baker College. She balances legislative duties with community service, including 10 years on the Mount Clemens City Commission. Committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility, she advocates for health care access, education, economic growth, and infrastructure as part of a family legacy of service.
Michelle Woodman
House District 62
Michelle Woodman, born in Detroit, earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a master’s from the University of Detroit Mercy. She teaches at Chippewa Valley Schools and serves as vice president of her church’s parish council. She prioritizes transparency, equitable education funding, and environmental protection, focusing on Lake St. Clair.
Cynthia Neeley
House District 70
Rep. Cynthia Neeley serves as Chair of the Tax Policy Committee and a member of additional committees. She champions clean water access, affordable health care, education funding, fair wages, job training, and crime prevention. Neeley is a small business owner and community activist. She lives in Flint with her family, including her husband, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley.
Angela Witwer
House District 76
Rep. Angela Witwer serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, where she oversees state expenditures. Witwer began her professional career in clinical health care, and her experience spans healthcare leadership, founding Edge Partnerships, and advocating for education and community engagement. She has been a resident of Delta Township for nearly 50 years.
Emily Dievendorf
House District 77
Emily Dievendorf is serving their first term representing the 77th House District, encompassing north Lansing, DeWitt, and Watertown Township. With a career in public service and advocacy, they’ve championed LGBTQIA equality, racial justice, women’s rights, and HIV/AIDS issues. A proud Spartan, Emily graduated from James Madison College and has lived in Lansing for 25 years.
Carol Glanville
House District 84
Rep. Carol Glanville has a background as a classroom teacher, administrator and community leader. She chairs the Higher Education committee and serves on the Education, Health Policy, Behavioral Health Subcommittee, and Families, Children, and Seniors committees. She champions affordable education, infrastructure investment and job creation, reflecting her deep roots and commitment to the region.
Abby Klomparens
House District 86
Abby Klomparens says she was raised with a civic-minded father who taught her the importance of community service. She is committed to representing District 86 with inclusive policies, safeguarding the Great Lakes, and ensuring well-funded public services and schools. With experience as a legislative aide, Klomparens says she is dedicated to moving Holland forward with integrity and vision.
Betsy Coffia
House District 103
Rep. Betsy Coffia champions equitable access to health care, housing, broadband access and child care. Raised in a working-class family, her diverse career includes journalism, social work and service in the county commission. Known for bipartisan policymaking and transparency advocacy, Coffia says she is committed to building a better Michigan for all.
Jenn Hill
House District 109
Rep. Jenn Hill has a background in infrastructure advocacy and nonprofit leadership. She has focused on building resilient communities in Michigan for over 25 years. She holds a master’s degree in city planning from MIT, emphasizing environmental stewardship crucial for the U.P. She has also served as a Marquette City Commissioner and former VP of the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan.
Kim Corcoran
House District 110
Kim Corcoran is an educator and retired school principal with the MI Department of Corrections. A longtime Ironwood City commissioner and mayor, she’s led transformative projects like a new park/splash pad and water treatment plant. With experience in public service and community leadership, she is committed to addressing the economic needs of the Western U.P. and advocating for change in Lansing.
Federal Candidates
THANK YOU FOR RUNNING!
Emily Busch
Michigan's 10th Congressional District
Local Candidates
CONGRATS TO OUR AUGUST 6 WINNERS!
Irene Cahill
Ingham County Commission
District 12
Sommer Foster
Wayne County: Canton Charter Township Board
Tania Ganguly
Wayne County: Canton Charter Township Board
Megan Kola
Macomb County Commissioner
District 5 (write-in)
Leah Mills-Chapman
Washtenaw County Commission
District 5
Kristen Nelson
Oakland County Commission
District 10
Edlira Sako
Macomb County Commissioner
District 7
La'Resha Thornton
Ypsilanti Township Trustee
Abigail Wheeler
Kalamazoo County Commission
District 4
Rachel Willis
Ingham County Commission
District 6
THANK YOU FOR RUNNING!
Emily Stivers
Ingham County: Meridian Charter Township Clerk
Mary Waller
Meridian Township Treasurer
If you’re a candidate wanting to update your information or have questions, contact info@vrlaction.org
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