Jordan Genso for Michigan State Senate

11/10/2022

I’ve been on the ballot many times: 2014 (state rep); 2016 (library board); 2020 (county clerk & library board re-election); 2021 (city council); 2022 (state senate). Aside from the city council race where I ended three dozen votes shy of winning, I went into the other races knowing there was nothing I could do to change the outcome.

I enjoy running for office, even when the outcome is predetermined. Because for the partisan races, if I didn’t run, it would’ve likely gone unfilled, and the voters wouldn’t have been given a choice. And I am comfortable running campaigns that strive to improve our broken political climate by seeking out civil discussion. Those two benefits for the greater good far outweigh whatever personal sacrifices I make to be a candidate.

But I don’t expect I’ll be providing that first benefit again anytime soon. I’ll continue to help recruit other candidates to run, so the voters are given a choice, but I can’t foresee any scenario where I’d run in another predetermined partisan race.

I have every desire to continue doing what I can for that second benefit — improving our political climate. And so I do have a request of you. With the Michigan Democrats now controlling our state government for the first time in 40 years, I want to be an outlet for anyone who is interested in scrutinizing (or criticizing) the Democratic agenda. If you know anyone who would appreciate being able to ask a Democrat “how do you support what’s going on in Lansing?”, please let them know I’d love to give them a platform to ask those questions, and engage in worthwhile conversation.

I know I’m unusual, in seeking the vulnerability of having my views scrutinized. But if doing so can help lessen the polarization in our political climate, I’m going to do what I can to make it happen. I just need individuals who are willing to take on the other role, so please help me in finding them. Thank you.

11/09/2022

For the first time in my life, the Michigan Democrats will have a majority in the State Senate. I won’t be joining them in Lansing, and that’s ok, as I know that a majority of the voters in this district agree with State Sen. Theis’s views, so it’s only proper that they would re-elect her. Congratulations to Senator Lana Theis!

I thoroughly enjoyed this campaign. It provided me with the opportunity to have conversations that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise. And it allowed me to play my tiny part in helping Rep. Elissa Slotkin win re-election, and Jennifer Conlin For State Representative (at this point, likely) to become the first Democrat in decades to represent a portion of Livingston County in the State House.

Thank you to everyone who supported my campaign. Knowing that there are people who appreciate my approach to policy and politics is why I never regret running, regardless of the election results. You are what make me feel like I’m winning in the long-run goal of showing people there is a better path ahead. Thank you.

10/29/2022

On Tuesday, I sat down with Brighton City councilmember Paul Gipson, to give him free rein to ask any questions he'd want to ask a state legislative candidate. I'm incredibly proud of the conversation that took place.

The conversation is broken down into seven segments:
1) Intro / What is the purpose of goverment / Regrowing the middle class
2) Improving our mental health
3) Nestle water bottling / The benefits from running a campaign
4) The Brighton City ballot measure regarding ma*****na dispensaries
5) Proposal 3
6) LGBT content in schools
7) A midwest goodbye

The videos are found on my YouTube Channel. If you enjoy them, please, please help share them. Thank you.

10/23/2022

I know that it can be a challenge to respond to every questionnaire, but allowing the media to inform the voters about their options is literally the least we should do as candidates. I'm happy that my Libertarian opponent responded, but disappointed that the other two did not.

Voters in the new 22nd Michigan Senate District have four candidates to choose from in the general election on Nov. 8.

10/22/2022

I’ve created a campaign to show the difference between being a political “combatant” vs a “diplomat”, with it being my best attempt at the latter. During these final weeks of the campaign, I want to show as many voters as possible what that campaign looks like, and how it leads us down a better path. Here is my first postcard message:

10/16/2022

“Sometimes people just want to not feel as if they are walking on eggshells, and they want some acknowledgment that life is messy and that all of us, at any given moment, can say things the wrong way, make mistakes.”
-President Obama

He inspired me to become politically involved in 2008, and all these years later, he still inspires me to promote the version of politics that sees the humanity in those you disagree with -- approaching engagement with the desire to understand, rather than seeking out the opportunity to reprimand.

10/07/2022

Hey Lesa Doa Genso, I think we need to do a similar campaign ad.

“Some people think that they have to agree with their politicians 100% of the time. And I ask these people, “Are any of you married?””

10/06/2022

The League of Women Voters do our community a tremendous service in holding candidate forums. They are a reliable source for those who would like to learn more about the candidates on their ballot (be sure to check out vote411.org).

Candidate attending: Jordan Genso (Democrat)Candidates invited but not participating; Lana Theis (Republican) Jon Elgas (Libertarian) Victoria McCasey (U.S...

10/05/2022

As I fill out an endorsement form for No Future Without Today, I'm reminded of the point-counterpoint discussion about school safety that I was able to participate in back in 2017. All these years later, the conversation hasn't progressed much at all, and neither has our ability to prevent school shootings.

Today's participants are Jordan Genso and Joshua Howe. [GDC_row] [GDC_column size="half"] Jordan Genso Jordan Genso is a former Democratic Candidate for State Representative in the 47th District, and currently serves as a Brighton District Library Trustee and Board President of FlexTe

10/05/2022

We wrapped up our "culture" based conversation with a discussion about drugs. The full video is on my YouTube channel, if you're interested.