Community Organizer and Businessman Al "BJ " Williams Gains Momentum in Michigan Democratic Party Chair Race

Support for Al ‘BJ ' Williams surges as Michigan Democrats rally for new leadership ahead of the February convention.

WAYNE COUNTY BLACK CAUCUS ENDORSES DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND BUSINESSMAN AL "BJ" WILLIAMS AS SUPPORT FROM LEADERS, ACTIVISTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS MI GROWS

MDP activists from the most populous county in the state join the fight for Michigan 's future. Focusing on all Michiganders rather than the status quo, Al Williams is the new party leader Democrats need to win in MI

DETROIT, MI / ACCESS Newswire / February 8, 2025 /Local businessman and longtime Democratic party activist Al "BJ" Williams has been endorsed by party activists from the Wayne County Black Caucus - the state 's most populous county and home to the most Democrats. They join democratic leaders,

community activists, precinct delegates and elected officials from around the State of Michigan in defying Gov. Gretchen Whitmer 's endorsement of an establishment candidate. The announcement comes as Williams and allies continue their statewide organizing effort to reclaim the values and leadership needed to win elections in Michigan.

"I am excited to accept the endorsement of the Wayne County Black Caucus and so many of our party 's leading Democrats from around the state. They represent the best our party has to offer with proven experience at winning elections, improving communities and

tackling the challenging issues of our time. Caucus members represent the next phase of aggressive, bold leadership focused on rebuilding our party. As the next chair of the Michigan State Democratic Party, I welcome their support in the effort to refocus our attention on addressing the struggles everyday people are experiencing," said Williams.

"The November 2024 election loss is proof even when we have lots of money and late organizing, we won 't win elections if our values don 't reflect the hearts and minds

of voters. We 've focused our attention too much on helping people get ahead and forgot about the people trying to just ‘get by ' and make ends meet. You 've got to get by to get ahead. We must always remember that."

Wayne County Black Caucus Chairman Frank Woods agreed.

"While I appreciate Gov. Whitmer, we lost the entire state the last election, in part, because our party has been simply out of touch with the everyday voter," said Woods. "We need a party leader who knows the struggle people are facing and is courageous in standing up and organizing around electing politicians and advancing policies that address those struggles - that leader is Al Williams.

I encourage everyone to show up, show out and vote for Al Williams at the convention in February."

The announcement follows a bevy of endorsements from across the state including:

Benton Harbor - City Commissioner Duane Seats

Berrin County - Marletta Seats, Former Commissioner

Detroit/Wayne County - businessman, activist, author and actor Hill Harper; Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell; Detroit City Councilmembers Mary Waters, Latisha Johnson

Fred Durhal and Coleman A. Young; Wayne County Black Caucus Chair Frank Woods; Carol Conway, Chair, Northwest Democratic Club; Tomana Rawls, Chair, Redford Township Democratic Club; Authur Warren, Chair, Westland Democratic Club; Darryl Conliffe, Chair, Farmington/Farmington Hills Democratic Club; Ervin Basset, Chair, Coleman Young Detroit Democratic Club; Judge Deborah Thomas (retired), MDP activist/civil rights attorney Godfrey Dillard

Flint - Honorable Karen Weaver, Former Mayor

Kent County - Commissioner Robert Womack

MDP (leaders/activists) - Wesley Watson, Chair, Environmental Caucus; Dennis Bryant, Chair, Progressive Caucus; Progressive Caucus Vice Chair Lily Cheng-Schulting; state organizers Greg Pawlowski and Jessica Finch; Democratic Strategist GT Long

Muskegon County - County Clerk Karen Buie, Commissioner Willie German, Marianne Darnell, Chair Black Women 's Political Caucus;

Oakland County - Thresa Rich, Mayor Farmington Hills; Kermit Williams, former member Pontiac City Council

Organizations - Grassroots Caucus, United Precinct Delegates, Wayne County Black Caucus

Saginaw - Mayor Brenda Moore;

State of Michigan - Board of Education President Pamala Pugh, Ph.D.; former MI State Board of Education Member Lupe Ramos-Montigny; State Senator Mary Cavanaugh

Gov. Whitmer 's recent endorsement of a career politician as chair of the state Democratic Party would ensure the status quo continues. Democrats are looking for a new leader that connects with everyday people and the challenges they face.

Williams understands those challenges. The father and native Detroiter has spent more than 25 years working at every level from organizing voter registration drives to managing campaigns at the local, state and federal level. He has grown membership in the Michigan Democratic Party, built coalitions, energized young voters, raised millions for Democratic candidates and fought against injustices such as the Emergency Manager laws that stripped power from Michigan residents.

A graduate of Morehouse College, Williams has deep roots in Michigan that reach out across the state. He began as a leader in the Michigan Young Democrats. He founded Vote Smart Detroit, a program that educated and registered young Detroiters to vote. He also served as co-founder and Chair of Detroit 's Midtown Democrats, where he successfully organized and energized Wayne State University students and residents to spark a wave of Democratic activism across Southeastern Michigan at the young adult, grassroots level.

Later he worked for the state party helping with strategy, fundraising and organizing. His work has taken him across the state.

Now Williams is organizing to get more people registered in the Democratic Party and has teams around the state signing people up to join the MDP and attend the state convention in February.

"Democrats have always been the big tent party of the working class, middle class and poor. We missed that this last election cycle. Never again. We are going to win and govern with the kind of leadership that leaves no one behind - always remembering, you 've

got to get by so you can get ahead."

-end-

Contact:
Greg Bowens, Bowens & Co.
248.275.3156,
bowensgreg@hotmail.com
Greg Bowens
Bowens & Co.

SOURCE: Kairos Research Co

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