Former state sen. Adam Hollier, a candidate for Michigan Secretary of State. Photo: Samuel Robinson
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier has joined two other Democrats running for Michigan Secretary of State, he announced Wednesday morning.
The news that Hollier would drop out of the race to defeat U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District was first reported last week by Michigan Chronicle.
Hollier announced Wednesday morning that he will join Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie to succeed Jocelyn Benson, who holds the position until she is term limited next year.
Hollier’s campaign in a statement highlighted his service as a U.S. Army Paratrooper and his two terms in the Michigan State Senate.
“Our fundamental rights are under attack like never before. Donald Trump and his MAGA allies have put everything from free and fair elections to the right to vote on the chopping block,” Hollier said in a statement. “As a U.S. Army Paratrooper, I’m trained to go where the challenge is greatest. As your Secretary of State, I will lead the fight against any assaults on our fundamental freedoms, and will never back down in the face of these undemocratic and unconstitutional attacks.”
Hollier’s announcement came without an endorsement, but he said he’s committed “to ensuring that Detroit elects a Black Member of Congress, which the community has been without for the first time in 70 years.”
He did announce some endorsements from local officials; Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Wayne County Register of Deeds Bernie Youngblood, State rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, Detroit councilman Fred Durhal III, County Commissioner Alisha Bell, Greater Grace Temple Bishop Charles Ellis and Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony of Fellowship Chapel.
“I’m no stranger to these fights. As an Army Officer, I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. As a Michigan State Senator, I led the fight for fair and representative legislative districts across Michigan. And in November 2020, while my wife and I were in the hospital celebrating the birth of our baby boy, I answered the call to head down to the vote counting center to stop Donald Trump’s attempts to steal the election. This fight is personal for me, and my family – and it’s a fight we’re going to win.”
Hollier said he would work to remove barriers to the ballot box, boost turnout, and make it easier to register to vote and cast a ballot early.
Edevbie has highlighted the fact that Michigan is one of the only states in the country that does not subject its Governor or Legislature to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). His campaign says he would work to end this practice and bring sunlight into our government.
Edevbie says he’s not accepting corporate PAC money.
“Aghogho is committed to removing dark money from politics and reducing its influence on our elected officials,” his campaign website says.
Hollier’s announcement includes the following from across the state.
- Dave Coulter – Oakland County Executive
- Bernie Youngblood – Wayne County Register of Deeds
- Joe Tate – Michigan State Representative
- Peter Herzberg – State Representative
- Glenda McDonald – Highland Park Mayor
- Arthur Bryant – Grosse Pointe Woods Mayor
- Alisha Bell – Wayne County Commission Chair
- Martha Scott – Wayne County Commissioner
- Marshall Kilgore – Grand Rapids City Commissioner
- Linnie Taylor – Oakland County Commissioner
- Jared Berry – Township of Ecorse City Council
- Neil Sroka – Grosse Pointe Farms City Council
- Fred Durhal – Detroit City Council
- Jim Ananich – Fmr. Democratic Senate Leader
- Bert Johnson – Fmr State Senator
- Virgil Smith – Fmr. State Senator
- Maureen Stapleton – Fmr. State Representative
- Ken Daniels – Fmr. State Representative
- Lamar Lemmons – Fmr. State Representative
- Wendell Byrd – Fmr. State Representative
- Harvey Santana – Fmr. State Representative
- Shanelle Jackson – Fmr. State Representative
- Sherry Gay Dagnogo – Fmr. State Representative, Detroit School Board Member
- Horace Sheffield – Pastor, New Destiny Christian Fellowship
- Charles Ellis – Bishop, Greater Grace Temple
- Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony – Fellowship Chapel
- Marcus Ways – Bishop, Christian Gospel Center Church of God in Christ
- Steve Bland Jr. – Pastor, Liberty Temple Baptist Church
- James Mack- Bishop, City of Jesus House of Life Apostolic Church
- Micah Gaines – Pastor, Greater Christ Baptist Church
- QuanTez Pressley – Pastor, Third New Hope
- Corletta Vaughn – Bishop, Holy Ghost Cathedral of Detroit
- John Duckworth – Pastor, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church
- Gregory Simmons – Bishop, Disciples of Christ Baptist Church
- Daryl Williams – Pastor, St Stephen AME Church
- Antonie Colvin – Pastor Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church
- Collective PAC