May 9, 2026 Newsletter
"You can cut down all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” --Pablo Neruda
NOTES FROM LEAH:
I read a couple of news articles this morning on how the economy is affecting big business. A number of top executives from companies such as Kraft, Whirlpool, McDonalds, etc. noted that because people are struggling to make ends meet, their sales and dropping. For the first time in 70 years, Whirlpool has suspended dividend payments to its shareholders.
This leads back to what I have been saying for a long time now, living wages benefit everyone. If we can't purchase the goods and services corporations want to sell us, they don't make money either. It is also the story of just how much power we have via our pocketbooks. If we refuse to spend money at companies that won't pay living wages, they lose.
ELECTION NEWS
Chris Mapps has withdrawn from the 38th District State Senate Race. This means Kelli van Ginhoven is the sole Democratic candidate. Republican candidates include Beau LaFave and Dave Prestin. Also running as an indepedent is Sara Cambensy.
Rachel Keys has announced her intention to run on the Democratic ticket for the Michigan 108th district house seat, which is currently held by Dave Prestin. Rachel has degrees in Business Administration, Business and Native American Studies. She previously worked as an anti-ship cruise missile defense weapons specialist for the Department of Defense. She is a veteran and the wife of a disabled veteran.
There are a number of Republican candidates running in a primary for the 108th district as well. These include Chris Reynolds, Casey Hoffman, Larry Johnson, Daryl Schroeder, and Steven Viau.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Take Action Tuesday Protests
Every Tuesday, 12-1:30pm
corner of Lincoln & Ludington
Take Action Tuesday protests take place every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot.
Delta County Unified Hosts
Promote the Vote
Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-7pm
Bay College Heirman Center, Rm. 952
Escanaba, MI
McKenzie Walz from Promote the Vote will be here to discuss voting rights, election security, and proof of citizenship.
RSVP here:
News from the Delta Dems
Adopt a Highway
Saturday, May 16th fro 8 am to 10 am
The Delta Dems will meet at Krist, 6344 US0-2 in Wells at 8 am for the MDOT Adopt a Highway Clean-up.
Liz Reed from Tri-County Safe Harbor
Guest Speaker for the June 3rd Delta Dem Meeting
They will also be collecting donations. You can find a list of needs on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063562902101
Other Events
Business After Hours
Wednesday, May 27th from 5 pm to 7 pm
DATA, Dailty Press & Community Action Agency are hosting an evening of networkin, conversation, and community connections. They will also hold a 50/50 Raffle to benefit MDSCAA AdultDay Services. The event will be held at 2901 27th Avenue North in Escanaba.
NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (4-23-26):
1) They interviewed a House candidate Randy Villegas, and most of the discussion was around primaries and election integrity
2) They shared some wins by small town Indivisible groups who have successfully stopped data centers and ICE detention camps
3) They talked about the gerrymandering in Tennessee and how we will need to get governors in blue states to respond
Link to podcast version of meeting:
What's the Plan podcast - new episodes every Friday
Link to next week's national "What's the Plan?" call:
Indivisible What's the Plan - May 14, 2026
REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:
From MoveOn.org:
Dear MoveOn member,
While ICE agents continue to terrorize communities across the country, AT&T is collecting a check.
AT&T currently holds a $90.8 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security, giving ICE and Border Patrol access to high-speed networks, priority communication services, and the ability to tap into AT&T customer data for their surveillance operations. AT&T isn’t just a passive vendor—they’ve expanded their DHS contract under the Trump administration, choosing to deepen their ties with an agency that continues to show complete disregard for civil rights and human life.
Send a letter to AT&T executives demanding they stop powering and profiting from ICE’s violence!
THREE-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:
You have two options this week or, better yet, do both!
Option 1 (**TIME SENSITIVE** - by May 10):Write a Mother's Day message to mothers who are detained at Dilley Detention Center. All the info is here: ChildrensRights.org letters for moms in Dilley
Option 2: Write a letter to AT&T via the MoveOn.org link above