Our 2026
Midterm Campaign
Michigan-An Opportunity Knocking!
Since the right wing took control of the House in 2024, policymaking has ground to a halt: 2025 has been Michigan’s least productive legislative session in 20 years, with just six bills passed in the first six months.
Because of Trump’s actions since the start of his second term, it is estimated that 200,000 Michiganders may lose their healthcare, three rural hospitals may be forced to close, and some of the 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on food assistance could be dropped from the programs — including 41,000 military veterans. While the Senate majority that The States Project helped build in 2022 has introduced policies to combat these harmful impacts, the right-wing House majority has stalled these efforts and refused to pass a budget for months, preventing schools from having necessary funding and interrupting critical services like the after school programs.
To put things in perspective for 2026, Michiganders are voting on all 38 seats in the Michigan Senate, and all 110 seats in the Michigan House. Plus, Michigan is electing a new governor, setting up the state’s first open governor’s race since 2010, as well as electing a new attorney general and secretary of state, and a U.S. senator. It’s a busy year in Michigan.
But our focus is the Michigan state congressional body, where critical legislation is made that protects essential quality of life funding for public education and healthcare, and secures fair elections. In fact, Democrats are working hard to finally pass the stalled voting rights act that would codify safeguards against voting discrimination, strengthen access to the polls, and ensure all eligible voters maintain their freedom to vote.
We have the opportunity to reclaim the Democratic lead and restore the pro-democracy trifecta (Governorship and both legislative chambers) which will allow lawmakers to get back to work improving lives for their constituents. That’s why Game Changers are dedicated to ensuring a majority in both legislative chambers in 2026.
Our Goal
Our goal is to deliver a Michigan Democratic state congress to a newly elected Democratic Governor on election day, November 3, 2026. The Senate is currently controlled by Democrats 19-18, while Republicans hold a 58-52 majority in the House. Note that while the gubernatorial race is not a focus of TSP efforts, we know that down ballot voting flows upward, supporting Democrats at the top of the ballot. We’re focusing on not only holding the one-seat lead in the Michigan Senate, but to gain 4 seats in the House. We have eyes on making Michigan the 17th Trifecta! Game Changers have pledged to raise $100,000 to support this important goal.
Next Steps
Throughout the campaign months, Game Changers funds are funneled through TSP to candidates in the battleground districts to run campaign-winning races with tested, proven strategies that translate to votes. Two standout strategies fuel successful results:
Local Press Project: Press specialists are put in place to secure attention getting, positive news stories about candidates in local media outlets, helping to build name recognition for these candidates, and puts the candidates in control of the narrative.
Door Knocking: The most critical tool in a state legislative campaign’s toolbox is candidate door knocking. Data has proven that no other campaign staff member is as effective at persuading a voter at the doors as the candidate themselves. The Door Knocking project encourages (and rewards) participating candidates with larger campaign contributions based on the number of doors they’ve knocked. Instead of dialing donors for dollars, candidates can focus on what matters: meeting their voters face-to-face in the field.
Hands on advocacy: The Game Changers will also provide opportunities for members to have hands on opportunities such as postcard writing, making voter awareness calls, and if you’re a Michigander, working at the polls. Watch for new opportunities in the Game Changers monthly newsletters, sent to all donors.
Game Changers will continue to roll up our sleeves, work hard, and raise money for this important work, and we are committed to building a Democratic state level force that can make a tangible difference in the lives of Virginians. We hope you will work alongside us.
Committed and undeterred,
Your Game Changers Leadership Circle
Beth, Carol, Cynthia, Debbie, Diane, Ginny
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can make a difference. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”