Clyde Township resident seeks leadership with Michigan Democratic Party

Clyde Township resident Mark Ludwig seeks to be elected Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party

Clyde Township resident Mark Ludwig is seeking a leadership position within the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP).  He has joined the Solidarity Slate presenting Detroit resident and political activist Al Williams as Chair.  Ludwig will run as a Vice Chair.

Ludwig would like to see change in the State Democratic Party, which he views as marred by “unforced errors and arrogance,” led by “celebrity politicians and leadership PACS.”  He is hoping the party will do a much better job supporting and communicating with candidates who run for office. He’d like to see full time, year-round organizers in the field and a greater commitment to grass roots organizing.  Citing Allegan County as a success story, he noted that the Allegan County Democratic Party has gone from raising and spending $6,000 per cycle to $30,000.  He hopes the state will replicate this success by making the recruitment and support of local candidates a priority.

Lamenting what he sees as too much time and energy devoted to lobbyists in Lansing, Ludwig seeks to build on what the Michigan Democratic Party does well.  Examples include maintaining the Michigan Democratic Party’s “big tent” of diverse members including unions, a large Arab population and a large Jewish population.  He urges the Democrats to keep the coalition together even when it’s difficult to do so by delaying favoring one faction over another, talking to everyone, “answering the phone,” and amplifying the Project 83 approach developed by outgoing MDP Chair Lavora Barnes.

Ludwig brings depth from the rural perspective, having served the MDP as the founding Vice Chair of the Rural Caucus.  In the 8 years since, Ludwig has focused on rural issues in an attempt to enliven the party at the county level.  Growing up in Iron County, Ludwig said the once-active party there has died out.  A vote on February 22 at the State Convention will determine if Ludwig’s Solidarity Slate will be given the opportunity to conduct a top to bottom review of the MDP that Ludwig seeks.

Ludwig comes to this race with political experience.   He has served on the Planning Commission in Clyde Township. He was elected to the Fennville Public Schools Board. He has run for Drain Commissioner in Allegan County as well as State Representative (against Kevin Whiteford  in the 80th District and against Rachelle Smit in the 43rd District). Ludwig currently chairs the Allegan County Conservation District. 

Together with his wife and daughter, Mark Ludwig has lived in Clyde Township for 20 years.