02-06-2025
Election administrators from across Michigan endorse Byrum for secretary of state
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum at a press conference announcing Democrats' voting rights bill package, Nov. 3, 2021, at the Ingham County Courthouse | Laina G. Stebbins
A bipartisan group of current and former county clerks from across the state has endorsed Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum's bid to receive the Democratic nomination for secretary of state.
Byrum's campaign to seek the Michigan Democratic Party nomination on Monday announced that it has received support from Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum, Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons, Saginaw County Clerk Vanessa Guerra, Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place, Muskegon County Clerk Karen Buie, Bay County Clerk Katie Zanotti, Midland County Clerk Ann Manary, Marquette County Clerk Linda Talsma, Menominee County Clerk Marc Kleiman, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope and Westland City Clerk Richard LeBlanc
Former Ingham clerk Mike Bryanton, former Presque Isle clerk Ann Marie Main and former Ontonagon clerk Stacy Preiss also issued support for Byrum.
'It is so humbling to be recognized by your peers and supported in my candidacy,' Byrum said in a statement. 'This bipartisan group of election administrators represents all parts of the State and a diverse array of our residents. These clerks know what it takes to run elections and I am honored that they believe that I am the right choice to be Secretary of State.'
Buie said in a statement that Byrum has 'the experience, knowledge, commitment, and integrity to be our next Secretary of State.'
Kleiman, the past president of the Michigan Association of County Clerks, in a statement praised Byrum's wealth of experience as an invaluable asset.
'Barb has been a leader in the election administrator community and has a strong grasp of election law and how to practically apply it to ensure that our elections are smooth and secure,' Kleiman said.
Byrum announced her candidacy last month. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie is the only other name in the race on the Democratic side.
Michigan's political parties nominate candidates for secretary of state and attorney general and do not participate in the primary process. Michigan Democrats will nominate a candidate for secretary of state at their state party convention in the spring of 2026.
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