CD3 State Central Committee Candidates (Delegates)
Females
Lupe Ramos-Montigny
Short Bio: With a career spanning from grassroots organizing to statewide elected office, I have dedicated my life to public service and strengthening democracy. As a former member of the State Board of Education, I was honored to receive nearly two million votes of confidence from the people of Michigan.
As a proud MEA member, I was actively involved in the organization’s political efforts, advocating for policies that uplift educators and students. My tenure as Chair of the KCDP was driven by a commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and open forum where every member had a voice and a role in advancing our shared goals. Together, we worked to build a stronger, more unified party and achieve electoral success.
This year, more than ever, we must create an atmosphere of hope and action to defend our democracy and reclaim Michigan’s future. The time is now to stand together and win for our communities, our values, and our state!
Campaign Speech for MDP State Central: Good afternoon friends, Democrats, and champions of progress,
I stand before you today as a proud Democrat, a lifelong advocate for equity and opportunity, and a leader who has worked at every level to build a stronger, more inclusive party. From my time as a member of the MEA’s political arm to serving as Chair of the KCDP, I have always believed that our power lies in our people—and that when we work together, we win.
As a former statewide elected official on the State Board of Education, I had the honor of earning nearly two million votes of confidence from Michiganders who believed in a future where every child has access to quality public education. That experience reinforced what we all know: elections are about trust, organizing, and showing up for our communities.
Now, I’m asking for your support to continue that work on the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee. Our party is at a crossroads. We face unprecedented attacks on our democracy, our voting rights, and our fundamental freedoms. But let me be clear: Michigan is a battleground, and we will not back down.
As your representative on State Central, I will fight for:
✅ A Stronger, More Inclusive Party – Every voice matters, and every county deserves resources and support to build a winning strategy.
✅ Grassroots Power & Local Leadership – We must invest in year-round organizing, not just in election years, so that we are always ready to mobilize.
✅ Winning Up and Down the Ballot – From school boards to the governor’s office, every race is critical. We must support candidates who share our values and are committed to fighting for working families.
This election isn’t just about politics—it’s about protecting the future of our state. We have the opportunity to not only defend our democracy but to expand and strengthen it for generations to come.
I am ready to do the work. I am ready to listen. And I am ready to fight alongside you to keep Michigan blue.
Let’s organize. Let’s mobilize. And let’s WIN!
I ask for your support, your vote, and your trust as we take this fight to the next level.
Campaign Statement for MDP State Central Committee
Fellow Democrats,
I am honored to announce my candidacy for the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) State Central Committee. This is a pivotal moment for our party and our state. The stakes have never been higher, and the work we do now will determine the future of Michigan for years to come. I am running because I believe in a Democratic Party that is inclusive, effective, and committed to winning—not just in election years, but every single day.
A Record of Leadership and Dedication
My journey in public service has been shaped by a deep commitment to democratic values, grassroots organizing, and electoral success. As a former statewide elected official on the State Board of Education, I had the privilege of earning nearly two million votes of confidence from Michiganders who believed in my vision for public education and progressive leadership.
I have also served in key roles within the Michigan Democratic Party, including as Chair of the Kent County Democratic Party (KCDP). During my tenure, I worked to foster a respectful, inclusive, and open space where all voices were heard, and where every Democrat—regardless of background—had a seat at the table. I believe that strong leadership is about empowering others, and I am proud of the work we accomplished in building a more unified and engaged party.
Additionally, as a member of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) political arm, I have been a strong advocate for policies that support educators, students, and working families. I know that when we invest in people, we strengthen communities—and that principle will guide my work on State Central.
Our Mission: Building a Stronger, More Unified MDP
The Michigan Democratic Party is the backbone of our fight for progressive change, and we must ensure it remains strong, inclusive, and ready to win. As a member of the MDP State Central Committee, my focus will be on:
✅ Expanding Grassroots Power – True political strength comes from the ground up. I will work to ensure that county and local parties receive the resources, training, and support needed to organize year-round, not just during election cycles.
✅ Creating a More Inclusive Party – The Democratic Party is at its best when all voices are heard. We must be intentional in welcoming diverse perspectives, ensuring that our party reflects the people we serve, and making sure every region of Michigan—urban, rural, and suburban—has a voice at the table.
✅ Winning Up and Down the Ballot – Every race matters. From local school boards and county commissions to state legislature and federal offices, we must invest in candidates who share our values and are ready to fight for working families. I will push for strategic investments in key races to ensure we are building a sustainable, long-term Democratic majority.
✅ Protecting Voting Rights & Defending Democracy – We are facing unprecedented attacks on voting rights, reproductive freedoms, and democracy itself. We must be proactive, not reactive, in countering these threats. I will work to strengthen voter outreach and education efforts to ensure that every eligible Michigander can exercise their right to vote.
This Election is About Our Future
We have made incredible progress, but there is more work to be done. Michigan is a critical battleground state, and we cannot afford to be complacent. We need a State Central Committee that is ready to organize, mobilize, and deliver victories in 2024 and beyond.
I am ready to do the work. I am ready to listen. And I am ready to fight alongside you to build a Michigan Democratic Party that is stronger, more inclusive, and unstoppable at the ballot box.
I would be honored to have your support, your vote, and your trust as we continue this fight together. Let’s stand united, let’s build our future, and let’s WIN!
Thank you.
Males
1. Dan Hesse
My name is Dan Hesse. I am a 34-year-old organizer in Grand Rapids and an advocate for reform within the Democratic Party. I have been heavily involved in political activities since 2018 and bring experience in working with people with differing views, class levels, races, orientations, and from Urban, Suburban, and Rural environments. I have served numerous different roles in various organizations and worked on a number of Democratic campaigns where I’ve been involved in nearly all aspects.
I strongly believe that our party needs to do more to address the needs of the working class and to take steps to draw new members from the ranks of young people, low-income people, and marginalized communities. I also believe that a much larger effort needs to take place to connect Democrats across Michigan. In this past year, I ran for County Commissioner in Kent County and I was happy to have had conversations with thousands of people at doors and at events. If elected, I promise to be a hard worker for making positive change in our party and for helping to secure more Democratic victories.
My website for my County Commission race is still active at https://www.VoteDanHesse.com
I also welcome you reaching out by email or phone with any questions.
Thank you
Dan Hesse
(616) 570-7954
dan@votedanhesse.com
2. Wesley Watson
3. Ivan Diaz
Short Bio: Former County Commissioner, Current Candidate for SD 29
Detailed Campaign Statement: Of, by, and for the Working Class
4. Christian Casler
Hello fellow Democrats,
My name is Christian Casler, and I am a political organizer and activist from Grand Rapids, MI. As a 28-year-old and a part-time student for the past four years, I bring to the table the perspective of Generation Z and the young people who have joined our party in recent years. I am a worker who has seen first-hand the working conditions that our state’s working people endure, across a variety of industries (including factories, warehouses, and restaurants). First and foremost, I believe our party needs to highlight and champion the struggles and issues that effect working class people of all backgrounds, races, and gender identities.
Since moving from my home state of Florida to Michigan at the start of 2018, I have steadily built a resume as an activist and political organizer. My first ever protest action was assisting with crowd safety during a 2019 May Day March hosted by Movimiento Cosecha, an immigrant’s rights organization that includes members who are undocumented.
Since 2022, I have primarily worked as an experienced canvasser for several local Democratic campaigns, and for Planned Parenthood the year Roe V. Wade was overturned and Proposal 3 was on the ballot. I have seen first-hand the nitty gritty of what it takes to run a Democratic campaign for State House, Kent County Commission, and Circuit Court Judge in West Michigan. During the past election cycle, I worked for a progressive organizing firm that had endorsed a variety of local Democrats and Kamala Harris for President. I knocked on thousands of doors and had hundreds of conversations about politics with voters of all different identities and political persuasions. Like many others, I gave it my all for the Harris campaign this year, despite my many disagreements I had with the campaign’s strategy / policy focus.
Since officially joining the State Democratic Party, I have been an advocate for bringing more democracy to the Democratic Party, and limiting the influence of Big Money in our Party. I believe that we can grow our Party by including more youth, working class, and minority voices in all levels of Party decision making; including members of rural and minority communities that have felt abandoned by Democrats. If elected, I will be a champion for progressive reform and for responsible party governance. I would be honored to have your support and your vote.
CD3 State Central Committee Candidates (Alternates)
Males
1. Stanley Gronek
2. Robert S. Womack
Robert is currently serving his fourth term as a Kent County Commissioner. He owns the radio station 102.5 The Ride.
3. Herb Seamons
Short Bio: Longtime precinct delegate and have worked on many campaigns.
Campaign Elevator Pitch: As a State Central Alternate, I shared what I learned at local party.
Detailed Campaign Statement: I’m in it to learn from the voters and represent the people of my district and don’t have a problem talking to Republicans, Independents and Democrats. The idea is to find a common interest to then solve problems for the people and not just go along with the politicians and their contributors.
4. Cristian Bartolo Wolven
Short Bio: Grand Rapids raised and born.
Campaign Elevator Pitch: Motivated for change within a party that’s supposed to represent our interests.
Congressional District 3 will elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, as well as at least 15 District Committee members at the February 22nd, 2025 State Convention.
CD3 will also elect 16 Delegates and 16 Alternates to the MDP State Central Committee. These will be divided as evenly as possible between male and female candidates. Non-binary candidates are counted first and their numbers subtracted from the 16, then the remainder will be divided as evenly as possible between male and female to approximate gender balance. The non-binary people The candidates will be divided into four (4) slates. One slate called the “male” Delegate Slate will consist of the male candidates for Delegate plus the non-binary candidates who choose to run on the “male” slate. Similarly for the “male” Alternate Slate, and “female” Delegate and Alternate Slates.