Hertel endorsed by Sen. Slotkin, Gov.-elect Benson, Sen.-elect El-Sayed, SOS-elect Gilchrist, AG-elect Savit, Speaker-elect Puri, and Majority Leader-elect Camilleri
Hertel endorsed by UAW and LiUNA
EAST LANSING — Today, after historic victories up and down the ballot last week which saw Michigan Democrats win every statewide race, flip three congressional seats, and regain a Democratic trifecta in Lansing, Curtis Hertel announced his re-election campaign for Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Elected in February 2025, Curtis has led the Michigan Democratic Party through one of the most complex and challenging cycles in recent history, with competitive races across the state and unprecedented attacks from Republican and independent candidates. As Chair, Curtis reinvested in MDP’s Project 83 year-round organizing program, established three county parties that were previously dormant, led a historic coordinated campaign that knocked the most doors ever in a midterm cycle, and worked closely to support down-ballot races that have often been forgotten.
Under Curtis’ leadership, Michigan has secured a place in the DNC’s 2028 presidential early primary window, positioning Michigan Democrats to have a key voice in selecting the next Democratic nominee for president, and MDP is ending 2026 in the best financial position the state party has ever finished a midterm election, with no debt incurred and a strong financial footing to enter 2027.
“It’s been the honor of my lifetime to lead the Michigan Democratic Party, and together, we delivered historic victories that saw Democrats win every statewide race, flip three congressional seats, and regain our Democratic trifecta in Lansing. Our work isn’t finished, and it’s why I’m running for re-election to continue leading the Michigan Democratic Party through 2028,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel. “Michigan Democrats are the party for working people, and this cycle, we’ve reinvested in year-round organizing and led a historic coordinated campaign that placed a particular focus on down-ballot races. As we look ahead, the road to the White House runs through Michigan, both in the Democratic primary and in the general election. As our Michigan Democratic Party Chair, I will continue investing in on-the-ground organizing and ensure that Democrats are showing up all across Michigan.”
Upon launch of his re-election campaign, Curtis has been endorsed by key Democratic leaders and unions:
“Chair Curtis Hertel has led the Michigan Democratic Party through an unprecedented election cycle. In addition to historic wins in the state, Democrats won a U.S. Senate seat and flipped three Republican-held congressional seats by focusing on the issues that matter most to working families. Curtis knows that to win across Michigan, Democrats must show up year-round and work tirelessly to earn the trust of voters,” said U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. “I’m supporting Curtis for another term as MDP Chair, and I look forward to continuing our work to elect Democrats across Michigan.”
“Curtis Hertel helped lead Michigan Democrats to a historic victory, securing a Democratic trifecta and the largest Democratic majority in the state House in decades,” said Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson. “Now the road to 2028 runs through Michigan, and we need a party chair who can lead a robust operation in another consequential election while keeping our focus on what matters most to working families: protecting well-paying union jobs, lowering costs, and raising wages. Curtis has shown he can lead that effort, and I know he’s going to do great things in this next chapter. I’m proud to endorse him for reelection.”
“Chairman Hertel led the party to a historic set of victories in November. He understands that this should be the floor—and is ready to lead our party toward building the kind of movement that can deliver results for Michiganders and continue the momentum we need to win in ’28,” said U.S. Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed. “He has my full support as we fight for the people of Michigan.”
“Curtis Hertel loves this state, our people, and this party. I have seen his leadership up close, in the state Senate, as the Whitmer-Gilchrist legislative director, and now as Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Curtis helped deliver some of the largest Democratic victories in Michigan history this cycle and he worked tirelessly to support Democrats up and down the ballot,” said Secretary of State-elect Garlin Gilchrist. “With the eyes of the nation once again set to descend on Michigan in 2027 and 2028, it’s crucial that Curtis continue to lead our party forward.”
“Resoundingly winning a Democratic trifecta, holding every statewide office, flipping three congressional seats, and winning a hard-fought U.S. Senate race takes hard work and strong infrastructure. Curtis Hertel has led our party with poise, and proven how much it matters to show up everywhere—and talk to everyone. I am proud to support his reelection as Chair,” said Attorney General-elect Eli Savit. “With Michigan once again at the center of the political universe in 2028, there is nobody better suited than Curtis to steer our party forward and deliver more Democratic wins.”
“Democrats achieved historic victories up and down the ballot in 2026, including flipping the most number of state House seats since 1964. Curtis Hertel was instrumental in that effort — and that’s why I’m proud to endorse him for another term as MDP Chair,” said Speaker-elect Ranjeev Puri. “Curtis built the strongest party operation in the country, and it showed on Election Night. We need Curtis back leading our party in 2028 to elect a Democratic president and protect our House majority.”
“Michigan Democrats just had one of our biggest victories in 50 years and Curtis was the one at the helm of all of it,” said Senate Majority Leader-elect Darrin Camilleri. “Our success story this election was made possible by the strength of our MDP Chair and that strength is exactly what we need heading into 2028. I am proud to endorse Curtis for reelection.”
“Curtis Hertel has led our party through some of its most complex and challenging moments, and through it all, he has remained focused on winning, raising money and investing in our communities. Working together, we’ve opened a permanent Michigan Democratic Party office in Detroit that won’t disappear after an election,” said Michigan Democratic Party First Vice Chair Portia Roberson. “Curtis has traveled to every county in Michigan and talked to communities that have too often been forgotten by Democrats and because of this work, we had unprecedented success last week. I’m proud to support Curtis Hertel for another term as Chair, and I’m excited to continue growing our party alongside him as First Vice Chair.”
“Curtis Hertel is a proven leader. Under his leadership, we’ve had historic gains in the 2026 election, positioned Michigan as an early Presidential Primary state, and most importantly, elected leaders ready to fight for the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “He’s had the UAW’s back and we’re proud to have his back in his re-election bid for MDP Chair.”
“Chair Curtis Hertel has been a driving force in electing pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot, helping deliver historic Democratic majorities in the state legislature,” said Brent Pilarski, Business Manager for the Michigan Laborers’ District Council (LIUNA MI). “He knows what it takes to win, and Michigan workers deserve a champion who will always fight for them, and it’s why we’re proud to support Curtis Hertel for another term as Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.”
Michigan Democrats will gather in February at the next MDP convention to elect a Chair for a two-year term. More information on the convention and a date will be released by the Michigan Democratic Party.
###
Press contact: hertelforchairpress@gmail.com