health care, stronger schools, safer communities, and fairer
elections. We fight for those who will fight for you.
health care, stronger schools, safer communities, and fairer
elections. We fight for those who will fight for you.
Meet The Candidates
Bruce Froelich
District 1
Bruce Froelich is no stranger to public service. In addition to serving on the Montague City Council for eight years, he has been a volunteer on numerous boards throughout the County and Township including Muskegon Area District Library and the White Lake Ambulance Authority. In 2021, after brave and well trained Montague Fire and Coast Guard personnel risked their lives to rescue Bruce when his boat capsized in Lake Michigan, Bruce decided to step up again to serve the residents of Muskegon County. He will bring a unique skill set of values, service and governance that includes both a legal and financial oversight experience. His campaign motto is: “We live in a paradise and must do what we can to keep it.”
Gary Foster
District 2
Gary first ran for the Muskegon County Commission as a Democrat in 2014 and came in second. As a small business owner of a gun shop, he decided that his prospects would be better if he ran as a Republican and he won in 2016. Although he was committed to working with both Democrats and Republicans he found that he did not share the extreme right wing positions of the current commissioners so he left the Board in 2021. Gary decided to “come home” to his Democratic union roots, friends and neighbors to try to help all of the hard working families of Muskegon County. His campaign motto is “A Proven Straight Shooting Commissioner.”
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Ashley Podein
District 3
Ashley is a resident of Fruitport Township and this is her second run for the Muskegon County Commission. She holds a MA in Social Work from GVSU and is passionate about providing quality reproductive and mental health services for Muskegon County residents. She will fight to protect law enforcement funding and essential public safety programs like HazMAT. As a newly single mom of two daughters, Ashley understands the challenges that many of our people face every day trying to raise a family in a safe, supportive environment. She will stand up to those commissioners who want to dismantle county government. Her campaign motto is “Elect a County Government that works for All of US!”
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Marcia Hovey Wright
District 4
Marcia is a well-known advocate for all of the residents of Muskegon County. She served six years in the Michigan State House representing Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Muskegon Township. She was elected to the Muskegon County Commission in 2018 and has been a champion for governmental transparency and fiscal responsibility and maintaining vital county services. Marcia has consistently made decisions based on science and best practices. At times, she has been the only person willing to stand up to the radical, right wing bullies who have tried to destroy county government. She played an integral role in saving funding for mental health services in Muskegon County in 2022. Her campaign motto is: “Courage, Compassion, Commitment”.
Charles Nash
District 5
Charles is running for his sixth term on the Muskegon County Commission in the newly formed District 5 that includes Muskegon Township and the eastern part of the City of Muskegon. He brings extensive experience in county government, has served as Vice Chair of the Commission and has consistently represented the best interests of the hard working men and women of his district. Over the past several years, Charles stood up for the most vulnerable residents of our community who have been victimized by the far right Republicans on the commission, often enduring personal attacks himself. His campaign motto is: “A Servant of the People.”
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Jessica Cook
District 6
Although this is Jessica’s first run for elected office, she brings a wide range of public service experience that will allow her to hit the ground running. She is the former Executive Director of the North Muskegon Education Foundation, a member of the Muskegon Downtown Development Authority and the Nelson Neighborhood Improvement Association. Currently, Jessica is a talent and human resources analyst for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Her priorities include adequate funding for public and mental health, support for emergency services and expanded public access to our natural resources. She is committed to restoring a sense of civility and sensible decision making on the County Board. Her campaign motto is: “Bringing People Together”.
Darrell Paige
District 7
Darrell Paige, long time resident of Muskegon Heights is running to replace Rillastine Wilkins who is retiring after many years of service. A graduate of GVSU, Darrell served two terms as the mayor of Muskegon Heights and has worked as a dean of students for both Muskegon Heights and Muskegon Public Schools. Darrell played an instrumental role in guiding the City of Muskegon Heights through a period of extreme cost cutting measures to avoid a state takeover by an emergency manager. His top priorities, if elected, will be funding for infrastructure and roads, social services and public safety. His campaign motto is: “Trusted and Experienced Leadership for a better Muskegon County.”
Endorsed Candidates
GOVERNOR/LT GOVERNORGretchen Whitmer & Garlin Gilchrist
SECRETARY OF STATEJocelyn Benson
ATTORNEY GENERALDana Nessel
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDistrict 2 - Jerry Hilliard
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDistrict 3 - Hillary Scholten
STATE SENATEDistrict 32 - Terry J. Sabo
STATE SENATEDistrict 33 - Mark Bignell
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDistrict 87 - Will Snyder
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDistrict 88 -Christine Baker
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDistrict 89 - Sharon McConnon
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDistrict 102 - Brian Hosticka
14TH CIRCUIT COURTJenny L. McNeill
MICHIGAN 3RD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALSKathleen Feeney
MICHIGAN SUPREME COURTRichard Bernstein
MICHIGAN SUPREME COURTKyra Harris Bolden
Who We Are
Muskegon County Democrats are a progressive organization of community volunteers focused on improving the lives of Muskegon residents. We believe in values like, building a strong middle class and protecting the environment. We believe that people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities need to be given equal rights and an equal voice. We work to make sure our county party represents the diversity of our community.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to engage, energize and elect like-minded people to public office at all levels of government. We hope to build a coalition of community members that will help us bring about change through grassroots organizing.
Sign up for our email list
Follow Us
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to engage, energize and elect like-minded people to public office at all levels of government. We hope to build a coalition of community members that will help us bring about change through grassroots organizing.
Sign up for our email list
Follow Us
Staff & Board Members
Ryan Bennett
Chair
Ryan Bennett is a lifelong Muskegon resident and a second-generation Union Pipe-fitter. He is currently serving as the Business Manager of West Michigan Plumbers Fitters and Service Trades Local #174. Ryan also serves as the President of the West Michigan Building Trades and Chair of the Lakeshore Community Labor Council AFL-CIO.
Jenn Cross
1st Vice Chair
Jen Cross is a life-long Muskegonite, licensed Realtor, proud Democrat, Planning Commissioner, & community activist. She’s a graduate of Western Michigan University & certified professional coach. Jen’s served on numerous boards including Fruitport Village Planning Commission, Norton Shores City Council & Planning Commission, Downtown Muskegon Now, Muskegon Young Professionals, & Love Muskegon.
Jason Colella
2nd Vice Chair
Jason Colella is the 2nd Vice-Chair of the MCDP and the Chair of the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party. He is a lifelong resident of Muskegon County and a graduate of the University of Michigan. He served as Campaign Manager for Bryan Berghoef’s campaign for Congress and as New Hampshire Field Director for Sen. Michael Bennet’s presidential campaign.
Sonya Hernandez
Secretary
Family, Community, Equity, and Justice are four topics that fuel the passion behind Sonya Hernandez. An educator and community activist, Sonya enjoys sharing her time and voice to conversations that revolve around real change for the betterment of our society. The Muskegon Democratic Party’s leadership and principles mirror what humanity and democracy are all about.
Karen Buie-Jenkins
Treasurer
Karen Buie-Jenkins is the former Muskegon County Clerk and Vice-Mayor for The City of Muskegon. She is a graduate of Michigan State School of Criminology. Karen has served on numerous Executive Committees on the Local, State, and National levels. She was also crowned Mrs. Michigan in 1999.
Darius Mitchell
Precinct Delegate Co-Chair
Darius Mitchell is the Director of Housing and Economic Security for the Urban League of West Michigan. He is also a Precinct Delegate in Precinct #2 for the city of Muskegon Heights! Darius currently serves as co-chair on 2 executive boards for the Democratic Party in varying capacities. He is also a proud graduate of Muskegon Heights High School. Go Tigers!!
Kip Smith
Precinct Delegate Co-Chair
Kip Smith retired in 2018 after 32 years as a state employee (MDOC) living in Muskegon for the last 12 years. Active in labor and community Kip has been a long-time precinct Delegate, in Muskegon and Lenawee Counties. Kip was a recipient of the Walter Campbell award which is given by Michigan’s AFL-CIO for community involvement.
Ellen Beal
Candidate Committee Chair
Ellen is a lifelong Democrat who ran five successful campaigns when she was an elected official in Ingham County. Since moving to Fruitport, she has worked on several County Commission campaigns and acted as campaign manager for Ashley Podein’s run in 2020. She is currently engaged as an unpaid consultant for two non partisan campaigns in Norton Shores and the City of Muskegon.
Branden Gemzer
Communications Co-Chair
Branden Gemzer grew up in Egelston Township. Currently he lives in Norton Shores with his wife Joy. He studied at Wittenberg University and served in the U.S.M.C. He has been involved in the party in a variety of roles since 2006. He is currently a Labor Representative with MNA.
David Kolb
Communications Co-Chair
David Kolb is an author and journalist, winner of numerous awards for writing and reporting. He is the former editorial page editor of The Muskegon (MI) Chronicle.
Jennifer Ross
Membership and Community Engagement Co-chair
Jennifer Ross is a mother of 3. She is a member of PDWC, NAACP, Muskegon Black Political Caucus, and WIN as well as serves on an advisory board for the City of Muskegon. She has a radio show on 103.7 THE BEAT in which she promotes local entrepreneurs. She also organizes local events that benefit the community as a whole.
Michelle Tyson
Membership and Community Engagement Co-chair
Michelle Tyson, a graduate of Muskegon Heights and founder of Taking Back Muskegon, a youth crisis center. Where they believe that the youth are our future and we need to better prepare and develop the leaders of tomorrow. Continuing to serve and educate our community on committees the NAACP, and the Michigan Democratic Party as well as her work as a host for The Muskegon Channel.
Upcoming Events
Get Involved
The first step is often the hardest. We’re here to help!
Supporting local candidates and policies which benefit residents of Muskegon will get easier the more you learn. We try to provide resources to help you on the journey and a chance to meet other people doing the same thing. The Muskegon Democratic Party is a group of people who care and want to take action to better our government and society.
Join our newsletter below to get involved!
Get Involved
The first step is often the hardest. We’re here to help!
Supporting local candidates and policies which benefit residents of Muskegon will get easier the more you learn. We try to provide resources to help you on the journey and a chance to meet other people doing the same thing. The Muskegon Democratic Party is a group of people who care and want to take action to better our government and society.
Join our newsletter below to get involved!
Membership
By joining the Muskegon Democratic Party, you can help us further our mission of electing Democrats in Muskegon and throughout the State of Michigan.
Your interest in and support of the Muskegon Democratic Party is vital to our future success and our community. Members participate in a variety of ways; some volunteer to phone bank or canvas for candidates, others want to help around the office. As a member, you also get to vote on a variety of things that help determine the direction of the local party.
To have a voice and vote on all issues pertaining to the MCDP you must reside in Muskegon County and be a member of the Michigan Democratic Party. Click here to submit your MDP application.