Contact: Nora Naughton, nora.naughton@sierraclub.org, 248-345-1456
Lansing -- The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is releasing its first round of early endorsements ahead of the packed 2026 statewide general election.
Additional endorsements to be announced in the coming months.The Michigan Sierra Club’s full and continuously updated list of endorsements can be found on our website at sierraclub.org/michigan/endorsements2026.
As part of our rigorous endorsement process, the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter completed an in-depth review of all members of the Michigan Legislature, including their positions on our issues and voting records. As the nation’s oldest environmental advocacy organization, the Sierra Club has a long-standing track record of holding candidates accountable on critical issues including clean renewable energy investment, environmental justice, and drinking water protection.
This early round of endorsements is reserved exclusively for incumbents who have proven themselves to be environmental champions. This includes lawmakers who have sponsored key environmental legislation, shown a clear commitment to protecting Michigan’s environment and public health, and consistently voted to advance our environmental goals in current and previous legislative sessions.
“The candidates we are endorsing today are trusted champions who we can count on to fight aggressively for the environmental protections Michigan families need,” said James D’Amour, Political Chair of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Michigan must lead with bold solutions to address the rapid expansion of data centers and their impacts on our climate and water, protect consumers from utility rate hikes and air pollution, and protect our public lands. Leadership on environmental protection has never been more important, and these candidates are committed to putting public health and safety first.”
“Early endorsements are not given lightly,” said Tim Minotas, Legislative & Political Director for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “This first round is about elevating candidates who have already stood up for clean air and water, and community protections, not just in words, but through their actions.”
The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter’s endorsement process is driven by grassroots volunteers who evaluate candidates based on questionnaires, voting records, and demonstrated engagement with community and environmental priorities. Additional endorsements, including in local and down-ballot races will be announced as the election cycle progresses.
“Michigan must step up and protect our communities as the Trump administration continues to roll back safeguards for our air, water, and public lands while shielding corporate polluters,” said Elayne Coleman, Michigan Chapter Director. “These endorsed candidates have worked to earn the trust of our grassroots members. In turn, we will be mobilizing on the ground, knocking doors, making phone calls, and encouraging our more than 150,000 members and supporters statewide to turn out and vote.”
The environmental champions who are endorsed by the Club for re-election in 2026 are:
Michigan State House
- Veronica Paiz (HD 10)
- Kimberly Edwards (HD 12)
- Laurie Pohutsky (HD 17)
- Jason Morgan (HD 23)
- Dylan Wegela (HD 26)
- Reggie Miller (HD 31)
- Jimmie Wilson (HD 32)
- Morgan Foreman (HD 33)
- Matt Longjohn (HD 40)
- Carrie Rheingans (HD 47)
- Jennifer Conlin (HD 48)
- Penelope Tsernoglou (HD 75)
- Emily Dievendorf (HD 77)
- Stephen Wooden (HD 81)
- Kristian Grant (HD 82)
- Betsy Coffia (HD 103)
Michigan Senate
- Sue Shink (SD 14)
Sierra Club communications with Michigan voters on behalf of endorsed candidates are funded by Michigan Sierra PAC.