Midland County Democrats fundraiser focuses on redemption, growth

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Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (right) speaks to guests at the "Start of Something Blue" Midland County Democratic Party fundraiser event on May 11, 2023 at the Midland Country Club.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks to a crowd at the "Start of Something Blue" Midland County Democratic Party fundraiser on May 11, 2023 at the Midland Country Club.

Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet speaks to a crowd at the "Start of Something Blue" Midland County Democratic Party fundraiser on May 11, 2023 at the Midland Country Club.

Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (left, blue blazer) and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (right, black jacket) sit together at the Start of Something Blue Midland County Democrats fundraiser event on May 11, 2023 at the Midland Country Club.

Guests sit to enjoy the speakers at the Start of Something Blue Midland County Democrats fundraiser event on May 11, 2023 at the Midland Country Club.

The Midland County Democratic Party's fundraiser on Thursday evening had two themes: growth and the color blue.

The party held a fundraiser at the Midland Country Club for the first time and called the event "The Start of Something Blue," encouraging attendees to wear blue, the color that is identified with the Democratic Party.

Speakers continually mentioned how the local party used to meet before Democrats built momentum which culminated in gaining a majority in the state legislature for the first time in many years in the November 2022 election.

As Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) put it, "We all could have fit in an elevator."

"I remember 30 years ago when the County Democratic Party could join in my living room," said host Eric Blackhurst. "And I lived in a very small house."

The event wouldn't fit in an elevator, or even someone's living room, anymore. More than 270 people attended the fundraiser, including Midland County Clerk Ann Manary, Midland County Commissioner Alaynah Smith, Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), Delta College Trustee Alex Clark and Midland Public Schools board members Phil Rausch, Jennifer Ringgold and John Hatfield.

The guests of honor were Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and McDonald Rivet, who both gave speeches.

Midland County Democratic Party Chairperson Jennifer Austin was the first to speak, commenting on how the organization has grown since 2016 and its efforts toward creating "fair and competitive districts."

Austin described the growth of the party by quoting John Green's novel "The Fault in Our Stars," saying the party grew "slowly, then all at once."

McDonald Rivet continued the conversation on the growth of the Democratic Party in Midland County, commenting on how small the group used to be compared to the crowd that filled the room Thursday night.

"This room is so beautiful and so strong," she said. "The Midland County Democratic Party is thriving and strong."

She also discussed her time campaigning for the State Senate and remembered when she would knock on a door and introduce herself as a Democrat, how some people would respond, "I’m a Democrat, too. I’ll vote for you, but don't tell anyone."

Other speakers commented on the secrecy among Midland County Democrats before this year and how glad they are to see it end.

"Let's just be loud and proud about it," Austin said. "I think events like this really allow people to do that, and hopefully that will continue to grow because we had so many Democratic victories in this city…there's no reason for us to hide it anymore."

Benson rounded out the event by talking about the accomplishments of Democrats through voting - noting that 2020 had the highest voter turnout in history even during a pandemic - and the actions of the state legislature so far.

She specifically highlighted the priorities of the state government, including protecting children, fixing the roads, ensuring healthcare for everyone and establishing a livable wage.

"The party that stands to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens all throughout the state no matter who they are, where they are, who they vote for, is a party that a lot of people can get behind here in Midland County and everywhere else."

In addition, Benson commented on the constitutional amendments that Michigan voters approved in 2022, including early voting up to nine days before the election and reproductive rights for women.

She also spoke about the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and a CNN interview with former President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

"I heard the words from the former president, ‘Jan. 6 was a beautiful day,’" Benson said. "I couldn't look away, but I also couldn't take it."(Jan. 6) was not a beautiful day. It was a tragic day."

The event ended with dessert and the completion of a silent auction as guests remained to chat with friends. Midland resident Tamara McGovern said she enjoyed the speakers and the way they represented the growth of the party.

"They were very articulate and certainly spoke to the evolution that we have seen from the Democratic Party," she said. "It's almost as though there was a full burst of acceptance of a two-party system in Midland."

Kennedy Kazmierski from Saginaw County - who worked on McDonald Rivet's campaign - said it was fabulous to see such a large turnout at the event.

"Just from my experience door knocking and doing things throughout the community, I’ve definitely seen the discourse and kind of secrecy surrounding being a Democrat," she said. "So, being able to see the community that we’ve gathered has been really amazing."