New Michigan Democrat Party Chair on Beating Trump in 2020

Lavora Barnes discusses the importance of community outreach and women’s health in Michigan politics.

Jake Neher/WDET

Lavora Barnes has a long and accomplished career in politics. She has worked on successful campaigns from the local level all the way up to the White House. Recently, she was elected as the first person of color to lead the Michigan Democratic Party.

This all happens at a critical moment. Michigan helped elect President Donald trump in 2016, Democrats have control of Michigan’s governor’s mansion for the first time in eight years, and Democrats in Washington are weighing whether to impeach the president. 

Stephen Henderson speaks with Barnes about steps for improving voter turnout and engaging in important conversations with residents from the city to the suburbs.

They also discuss the pressing issue of women’s health in modern politics and the protection of the right to safe abortions as the Michigan legislature recently moved to ban an abortion procedure.

Click on the audio player above to listen to the conversation.

 

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