Today we continue our profiles of 2024 progressive candidates! These candidates are working hard to bring change to their communities, states, and country to ensure all citizens are treated fairly and equitably by the government that is elected to serve them.

This week we are profiling Jason Morgan (he/him/his), a gay millennial who has had an active career in Michigan politics. Despite being diagnosed with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy as an adolescent, Jason is an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Jason is passionate about issues such as eliminating economic inequality, investing in public transportation, and protecting LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights.

Where are you based?
Ann Arbor, Michigan.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
State Representative – Michigan’s 23rd District.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I am focused on building a country that works for everybody — one that puts people over corporations, prioritizes rebuilding our infrastructure, creates economic opportunity for all, and values and respects all people and families. Here in Michigan, I’ve been part of the first Democratic trifecta in 40 years and we’ve passed the most progressive policies in our state’s history during my first term. We are just getting started – I am pushing every day to pass even more legislation to strengthen worker protections, protect reproductive health rights, ensure a clean and healthy environment, and overhaul our outdated ethics and campaign finance laws to restore power to people in our political system.

What inspired you to run?
I ran for state representative for one simple reason: to help people. I am running to be a progressive, hopeful, voice of change. Growing up as a poor, gay kid with a disability in rural Michigan, I never imagined a day that I would run for office. But I also grew up in a family that taught me about the power of community, the power that we have when everyone pitches in to help everyone pursue their dreams. Showing up for one another was a way of life. It was this set of values that led me to public service — the idea that when we all chip in and work hard together, we can help ensure that every person has the opportunity to succeed.

Thanks to that hard work, paired with public education, state and federal student aid programs, and a whole lot of community along the way, I was able to attend college, get a job, and continue building a great life in a great state. While running for office wasn’t necessarily my plan, I can’t imagine spending my time and passion doing anything else but public service. I am dedicated to ensuring that every person and every family has the opportunity to build the life of their dreams.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I hope to bring Democratic values to my district, state, and country. I want to bring quality infrastructure and public transportation, a well-funded and equitable public education system, a safe and clean environment, and strong worker protections, all built on the foundation of a strong democratic system. These things are core Democratic values, but not always prioritized by all or to the level needed. I hope to be a persistent voice pushing our elected leaders to support policies and funding to help families thrive, through things like expanding childcare and early education, mental health support and public transportation while raising wages for blue collar and middle class workers, and enacting policy reforms to make life more affordable for everyone.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I am running for a second two-year term in the Michigan House of Representatives, and before that served for six years as a Washtenaw County Commissioner. I’m proud to have been a cosponsor on and helped pass the most sweeping progressive changes in Michigan in 40+ years. We expanded civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people, codified the protection of abortion rights and passed the Reproductive Health Act, three pieces of gun safety legislation including universal background checks, a Red Flag law, and safe storage protections, a ban on gay conversation therapy, comprehensive clean energy/climate legislation, and more.

On top of all this, we were the first state in the nation to repeal a so-called “Right to Work” law, that was hurting out unionized workforce, and passed a slew of additional worker protections. We’ve been accomplishing major things in Michigan, and I’m proud to have been part of this work while continuing to push us to keep passing more legislation to help our residents.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
The biggest remaining issues in Michigan are: housing, transportation, and childcare. I am proud to have cofounded our first-ever Public Transit Caucus in the legislature, a bicameral, bipartisan, caucus focused on expanding access to critically-need public transportation in our state. For too long, Michigan has been a state where most residents have no alternative to driving, and we have failed to adequately build these alternatives. Young people, seniors, and all people are telling us they want to live in vibrant, walkable communities with transportation options, and we are working to make this possible throughout our state.

The Michigan legislature appropriated over $250 million to build more affordable housing in our first budget with a Democratic trifecta in Michigan, and established a $50 million affordable housing fund that will continue in perpetuity. I’ve also been part of introducing a slew of bills to establish a renter’s bill of rights and ensure consumer protection in our rental market. Lastly, too many families are struggling to make ends meet and more are delaying building a family because they cannot afford it. We must expand preschool and access to universal childcare for all families.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
We work to unite Americans through building bridges, finding common ground, and patience. We do this by listening to one another and engaging in dialogue. We bridge the divide by pushing past the political messaging and divisive rhetoric and having real conversations about the problems facing residents and our communities. We focus on a shared sense of community, and an attitude that we should all be showing up for one another. This doesn’t mean we’ll agree on every issue, but it is my hope that we can all at least talk with each other, and work toward a common purpose. We can all work toward making life easier for families and creating opportunities for all people in our country to pursue their dreams.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
Each and every person brings with them a unique identities and perspective. I am proud to bring my identities as an openly LGBTQ+ person, a first-generation college student, a person living with a disability, a younger elected official, former union educator, and more. I believe it is because of these identities that I am able to stay grounded in working for the people over corporate profits, dark money in our political system, and all of the built in political power structures that push back against progressive change. I know that I am here because of those who stood up against historic forces of power to create opportunity for someone like me to serve. To serve is a privilege that I cherish each day by staying true to the people I represent.

What is your motto in life?
I live by two general ideas: 1) Do all the good you can in all the ways that you can; and 2) Remember who you are fighting for — the people, always.

Where can we find out more about you?
Check out our website and follow me on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram!

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Jason Morgan, Michigan House of Representatives, District 23