2nd CD - January 2026 Newsletter
MI 2nd CD Friends
Plan now to join us for our January meeting via ZOOM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10am. We will be hearing from active candidates for MI2CD and other state-wide and regional offices!
Here is the ZOOM link for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82577407163?pwd=xetgNf9fyfgtcMW7bpAcaKA36JFWpi.1&jst=2
Meeting ID: 825 7740 7163
Passcode: 391222
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
In my professional career I was fortunate to work with many very smart, creative, and innovative people. They provided me with great ideas that I gladly plagiarized and successfully adapted them to my own operation. I am so pleased that I have found that same opportunity in the MI2CD! Here is a recent email that Wexford County Democratic Party (WCDP) Chairperson Bill Allen sent to his members:
Ringing in the New Year
A Message from the Chair
As one who rarely makes New Year resolutions because I tend to make them too daunting, I came across a suggestion today that makes sense: a one-word resolution. Focused. Manageable. Powerful. So, I thought I would pass mine along and encourage you to join. My one word for 2026 is COMMIT.
And, if you do not have any urgent need to commit elsewhere, let me suggest that we all can increase our commitment to the Wexford County Democratic Party.
Here are some specific things we each can do in 2026 to move forward together:
I hope you all can agree with me that this is an enormously powerful message that sums up perfectly how we can all be better focused on winning in 2026!
MAGA MOOLENAAR UPDATE:
We are done sharing the stupid stuff that the incumbent is doing to waste our time and money! By now, those of you who read this monthly newsletter know just how ineffective he has been. It is time for change! It is time now to focus on our candidates and choose the one who is best aligned to defeat this poor excuse for a US Rep and get someone in Washington who will properly represent all the people in the Michigan Second Congressional District, not just those who contribute to his campaign!
Plan now to join us for our January meeting via ZOOM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10am. We will be hearing from active candidates for MI2CD and other state-wide and regional offices!
Here is the ZOOM link for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82577407163?pwd=xetgNf9fyfgtcMW7bpAcaKA36JFWpi.1&jst=2
Meeting ID: 825 7740 7163
Passcode: 391222
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
In my professional career I was fortunate to work with many very smart, creative, and innovative people. They provided me with great ideas that I gladly plagiarized and successfully adapted them to my own operation. I am so pleased that I have found that same opportunity in the MI2CD! Here is a recent email that Wexford County Democratic Party (WCDP) Chairperson Bill Allen sent to his members:
Ringing in the New Year
A Message from the Chair
As one who rarely makes New Year resolutions because I tend to make them too daunting, I came across a suggestion today that makes sense: a one-word resolution. Focused. Manageable. Powerful. So, I thought I would pass mine along and encourage you to join. My one word for 2026 is COMMIT.
And, if you do not have any urgent need to commit elsewhere, let me suggest that we all can increase our commitment to the Wexford County Democratic Party.
Here are some specific things we each can do in 2026 to move forward together:
- Join the Michigan Democratic Party;
- Attend Wexford County Democratic Party monthly meetings;
- Donate to help the WCDP Billboard Project;
- Regularly open the Tuesday Action Newsletter;
- Attend our scheduled political and/or social events;
- Attend Friday morning coffee hour;
- Join a WCDP committee;
- Volunteer with our community service initiative;
- March in the Mesick, Cadillac, Harrietta, and Manton community parades;
- Join us this summer for our roadside pop-ups;
- Volunteer in a political campaign;
- Make a one-time or recurring donation to the WCDP;
- Join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram;
- VOTE as a registered MDP member at the state convention. VOTE in the primary election on Aug. 4. VOTE in the national election on Nov. 3.
I hope you all can agree with me that this is an enormously powerful message that sums up perfectly how we can all be better focused on winning in 2026!
MAGA MOOLENAAR UPDATE:
We are done sharing the stupid stuff that the incumbent is doing to waste our time and money! By now, those of you who read this monthly newsletter know just how ineffective he has been. It is time for change! It is time now to focus on our candidates and choose the one who is best aligned to defeat this poor excuse for a US Rep and get someone in Washington who will properly represent all the people in the Michigan Second Congressional District, not just those who contribute to his campaign!
HERE IS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES PROVIDING THE ALTERNATIVE!
We need someone willing to communicate, collaborate, and compromise instead of refusing to do the job we elected them to do! Every resident of the 2nd CD deserves better representation in Washington!
This month we are featuring an update on his campaign from Ben Ambrose. All officially filed candidates have been asked to provide regular updates on their campaigns to share in this monthly newsletter.
Over the last several months, my campaign has become something rare in Michigan’s 2nd District: a serious, disciplined effort with a clear and credible path to victory. For the first time in over a decade, defeating John Moolenaar is truly possible.
Since launching this campaign, we have built a professional operation from the ground up. We are meeting voters across the district, expanding our volunteer base, and finalizing ballot access with petition signatures nearly complete. Our message is resonating.
Fundraising has been a major milestone. We have raised more than any other candidate in this race to date, and in recent decades, and are on track to close out the year strong by December 31st. This progress allows us to transition into the next phase of the campaign: scaling targeted voter outreach, strengthening communications, and preparing for aggressive advertising in 2026.
A series of major fundraising events begins January 31st, alongside smaller grassroots events designed to grow our coalition and expand participation.
Support for this campaign continues to grow across key constituencies.
This campaign has built momentum unlike anything this district has seen before. With a formidable team, experienced leadership, and growing national support, we are entering this next phase prepared, organized, and ready to win.
Benjamin Ambrose: phone: 231.740.1223
email: [email protected]
Website: www.ambrose4congress.com
This month we are featuring an update on his campaign from Ben Ambrose. All officially filed candidates have been asked to provide regular updates on their campaigns to share in this monthly newsletter.
Over the last several months, my campaign has become something rare in Michigan’s 2nd District: a serious, disciplined effort with a clear and credible path to victory. For the first time in over a decade, defeating John Moolenaar is truly possible.
Since launching this campaign, we have built a professional operation from the ground up. We are meeting voters across the district, expanding our volunteer base, and finalizing ballot access with petition signatures nearly complete. Our message is resonating.
Fundraising has been a major milestone. We have raised more than any other candidate in this race to date, and in recent decades, and are on track to close out the year strong by December 31st. This progress allows us to transition into the next phase of the campaign: scaling targeted voter outreach, strengthening communications, and preparing for aggressive advertising in 2026.
A series of major fundraising events begins January 31st, alongside smaller grassroots events designed to grow our coalition and expand participation.
Support for this campaign continues to grow across key constituencies.
- The Farmers Union — both statewide and nationally — is actively engaged in this race thanks in large part to the leadership and endorsement of Dennis Kellogg, Vice President of the Michigan Farmers Union, and a strong advocate for rural communities.
- The Center for Freethought PAC has formally endorsed our campaign, and we remain active with Honor PAC and Governor Whitmer’s Fight Like Hell PAC, both of whom are closely monitoring the race.
- National Democrats are paying attention as well now, with the DCCC signaling increased engagement as we move into Q2 of 2026 for the first time in Michigan's history.
This campaign has built momentum unlike anything this district has seen before. With a formidable team, experienced leadership, and growing national support, we are entering this next phase prepared, organized, and ready to win.
Benjamin Ambrose: phone: 231.740.1223
email: [email protected]
Website: www.ambrose4congress.com
===================================================
We want to wish all the best to Rich Carrizales who has decided to drop out of the 2026 race. Rich has some very progressive ideas about how to address affordability issues that make a lot of sense. We know that Rich will remain active in the MI2CD and will support our pick to win in November!
FOCUSED ISSUE FORUMS!
We will continue to challenge all twenty county Democratic party organizations to plan and execute at least one “FOCUSED ISSUE FORUM” meeting every 90 days between now and November of 2026.
The MI2CD candidates all indicated that they believe these “kitchen table issue” forums will have a better chance of attracting the independent and Democrat-curious voters that we will need to win in 2026. Your county forums could include but are not limited to discussions on these challenges:
FINAL WORDS: Click on the 'Chair LTE' tab and review my letter to the editor I submitted and was published in the December 2025 newspapers in Cadillac, Ludington, and Manistee:
John Helge
MI2CD Chairperson
[email protected]
616-915-2403
We want to wish all the best to Rich Carrizales who has decided to drop out of the 2026 race. Rich has some very progressive ideas about how to address affordability issues that make a lot of sense. We know that Rich will remain active in the MI2CD and will support our pick to win in November!
FOCUSED ISSUE FORUMS!
We will continue to challenge all twenty county Democratic party organizations to plan and execute at least one “FOCUSED ISSUE FORUM” meeting every 90 days between now and November of 2026.
The MI2CD candidates all indicated that they believe these “kitchen table issue” forums will have a better chance of attracting the independent and Democrat-curious voters that we will need to win in 2026. Your county forums could include but are not limited to discussions on these challenges:
- Farmers where you could invite these subject matter experts.
- A local family farmer
- Representative from the local MSU Extension Service
- Representative from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Representative from the local Farm Bureau or Farmers Union organizations
- Rural Healthcare where you could invite these subject matter experts.
- A local doctor and/or registered nurse
- The chief administrator of a local/regional hospital
- Representative from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Representative from the Michigan Center for Rural Health
- Representative from the local Community Mental Health Service
- Public Education where you could invite these subject matter experts.
- A local teacher
- The superintendent of a local school district or ISD
- A member of a local school board
- A member of the Michigan School Board of Education
- A representative from the Michigan Education Association teachers’ union
- Affordable Housing where you could invite these subject matter experts.
- A local builder or realtor
- A member of your regional or local public housing authority
- A representative from MSHDA About MSHDA
- A representative from your local Chamber of Commerce
- Affordable Childcare where you could invite these subject matter experts.
- A local childcare provider
- A representative from the Michigan Great Start program
- A representative from your regional or local Head Start program.
FINAL WORDS: Click on the 'Chair LTE' tab and review my letter to the editor I submitted and was published in the December 2025 newspapers in Cadillac, Ludington, and Manistee:
John Helge
MI2CD Chairperson
[email protected]
616-915-2403
2nd CD - December 2025 Newsletter
2nd CD - November 2025 Newsletter
