mark ludwig Candidate for MDP Chair

  Mark was born and raised in Michigan. His youth was spent assisting his parents during the early days of the environmental movement, studying Great Lakes water birds affected by industrial pollution. He settled in Allegan County's Clyde Township in 2005 with his wife Kim. In 2010 they adopted their daughter from Ethiopia. Mark served on the Fennville Public School Board, Clyde Township Planning Commission and currently serves as Chair of the Allegan Conservation District Board of Directors. He was the founding Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus and currently chairs that body.  He is in his third term on the MDP State Central Committee.  He ran for State House and Drain Commissioner in recent years.   Mark was honored to chair the 2024 Nominating Convention Resolutions Committee.  Mark graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Environmental Issues and has a Short Course Degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in Grass Based Dairy farming. 

Al BJ Williams is a proud son of Detroit and a lifelong advocate for social justice and Democratic values. Raised in the heart of the city by educators Alfred and Sondra Williams, Al’s upbringing emphasized community service, education, and leadership. He learned the meaning of social justice attending  U of D Jesuit High School & Academy before attending the historically Black Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he earned a degree in Political Science.

Al’s career spans more than 25 years of political organizing, coalition building, and grassroots activism. After graduating from Morehouse, he embarked on a journey to empower marginalized communities and expand Democratic power in Michigan and beyond:

• Founder of Vote Smart Detroit: A voter registration and education initiative targeting Detroit Public School students to increase civic engagement among young people.
• Co-Founder and Chair of the Midtown Democrats: A group of politically active young leaders who energized the Wayne State campus and the surrounding Midtown community, sparking activism across Southeastern Michigan.
• Obama Organizing Fellow: Selected as the first of 1100 applicants, Al led a winning campaign team during President Obama’s historic Fellows program, honing his skills as a strategist and organizer.
• Co-founder/Chartering board member of the Grassroots Caucus
• Co-founder/Chartering board member of the  Cannabis Caucus
• Executive Director of the United Precinct Delegates: Al has been a precinct Delegate for more than 20 years and has worked statewide to recruit, train, educate,inform, and grow precinct delegates

Throughout his career, Al has mobilized communities, raised millions of dollars for Democratic candidates, and coordinated victories for African-American leaders across Michigan and the nation.

Al’s commitment to protecting and expanding democracy is unwavering:

• Detroit NAACP Organizer: Led climate equity, education, and voting rights coalitions.
• Statewide Campaign Manager/Director: Directed the successful 2012 “No on Proposal 1” campaign to repeal Michigan’s Emergency Manager law, mobilizing over 3,000 volunteers in a grassroots victory that restored democratic governance.
• Michigan Democratic Party Membership Director: Successfully doubled Party membership in less than two years and increased Precinct Delegate participation to strengthen the Party’s foundation.
• Policy Advocate: Worked in Congress and State legislators in Georgia, New Jersey, and Michigan on issues such as insurance redlining, healthcare access, public education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

In addition to his political accomplishments, Al is a successful entrepreneur with a passion for giving back to his community:

• Co-founder of District Five Detroit: A high-end private office/event space in Eastern Market designed to celebrate and uplift Detroit’s culture and community.
• Co-founder and President of Securecann II: A cannabis company that owns and operates four dispensaries a processing center, and a grow facility in Michigan, creating jobs and providing services in underserved areas.
• Owner of Southfield Transportation and Southfield Physical Therapy: Businesses focused on helping individuals recover and maintain their physical and mental health.

Al BJ Williams is running for Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party to rebuild and grow the Party from the bottom up. With a track record of empowering grassroots activists, growing membership, and delivering results, Al is committed to creating a stronger, more inclusive Party representing all Michiganders.

Al fights for the party's backbone—working families, seniors, minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and youth. As Chair, he will lead the charge to grow the economy for everyone, protect workers’ rights, respect women’s autonomy, champion equal rights, and strengthen Michigan’s cities and communities.

“Building the Party of Tomorrow”

To establish a resilient foundation, we will revitalize membership and strengthen internal Party operations:

• Empower local caucuses, clubs, and Precinct Delegates to lead in their communities, supporting and funding Party activism and growth.
• Simplify participation in the Michigan Democratic Party, ensuring membership is accessible, fair, and welcoming to all.
• Provide comprehensive training and support for local Party leaders, members, and delegates, creating a statewide network of informed and engaged members who can grow.
• Ensure Party by-laws are followed or democratically amended, adhering to the principle of rule by all members equally.
• Ensure more transparency inside the Party to build trust and accountability.
• Modernize the Party Affairs Department to retain, engage, and grow membership, with a goal to double membership numbers.
• Embrace technology to enhance research, volunteer coordination, messaging, and fundraising for a more effective Party.

To continue to grow and diversify the Party, we will:

• Prioritize meaningful engagement with minorities, women, and young voters to expand and energize our base.
• Build relationships by working directly within communities, providing services year-round to strengthen the common good.
• Expand and modernize Project 83, focusing on community engagement to promote Democratic values and policies.

Building a strong bench of Democratic leaders is key to sustained success. We will:

• Recruit and train candidates for offices at all levels, from local school boards to Congress.
• Provide resources, mentorship, and strategic support to ensure candidates have the tools to win.
• Develop a leadership pipeline to grow and sustain Democratic majorities across Michigan.

Winning campaigns require resources and collaboration. We will:

• Develop an inclusive fundraising strategy that attracts new donors while re-engaging long-term supporters.
• Strengthen partnerships with historical allies while welcoming emerging Democratic supporters into the Party.
• Ensure fundraising efforts directly support organizing goals, candidate recruitment, and technology enhancements.

The Michigan Democratic Party is the Party of the people—working families, seniors, minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and youth. We will fight like hell for those who are the backbone of our movement.

As Chair, I will lead the charge for a Democratic Party that:

• Grow the economy for everyone!
• Respect women’s autonomy and ensure access to healthcare for all!
• Protects workers’ rights and empowers unions to fight for us all!
• Champions equal rights for every Michigander!
• Invests in Michigan’s cities and strengthens every community!

With over 25 years of experience as an organizer, coalition builder, and strategist, I have a proven track record of empowering communities and driving Democratic victories. From mobilizing thousands of volunteers to doubling membership as MDP’s Statewide Membership Director, I have committed my life to strengthening the Party and advancing Democratic values.

This is our moment to act. Together, we will build the Party of Tomorrow—stronger, more inclusive, and ready to win.

Let’s rebuild, lead, and win—together!!! al williams michigan solidarity coalition