Two Weeks to Go!
Abbie Groff-Blaszak for State Senate Newsletter, Issue 12
Absentee ballots are being returned every day; early in-person voting starts on Saturday; and Election Day is just two weeks from yesterday!
A huge thank you to our 75+ volunteers who have been writing postcards, making phone calls, knocking doors, and hosting gatherings to help spread the word: Vote Abbie for State Senate on Aug 4!
Campaign News
Highlights from the last few weeks:
Team Abbie had so much fun at the July 4th parades! The energy around this campaign from neighbors was electric. Grateful for the supporters who walked with Abbie and Captain America (aka Robby).
Knocking doors around the district with some of the campaigns we love: Daniel Rivera for Wyoming City Council At-Large, Erika VanDyke for GRPS School Board, and Commissioner Lisa Knight for Grand Rapids Ward 2 Commissioner.
Tabling at Storytime in the Park at Garfield Park on Tuesdays, the Uptown Church Community Celebration in Eastown on July 11, and the Boston Square Summer Celebration also on July 11! We absolutely love meeting neighbors at these events.
Abbie participated in the Kent County Early Childhood Candidate Forum on July 13, hosted by First Steps Kent, Michigan's Children, Think Babies Michigan, MomsBloom, Vibrant Futures, and Learning Care. Moderated by Shelly Irwin, the candidate forum provided space for Abbie to discuss her commitment to raising wages for childcare and early childhood professionals, increasing investment in education to fully-fund schools, and advancing policy that makes daily needs like housing more affordable while providing healthcare for all Michiganders. We are grateful to the host organizations and groups you represent for the dedicated, daily work on behalf of our youngest children and their families.
Yesterday, Abbie was honored to participate in the Legislative Candidate Forum hosted by Arc Kent County. The event was a wonderful opportunity to hear from people with disabilities and caregivers about issues most important to them, and to speak to her perspective on state-level policies. Thank you, Arc Kent County, for creating this space and for your commitment to our neighbors with disabilities and those who care for and support them!
What a blast we had our fourth Neighborhood Ice Cream Social at Wilcox Park on July 10. Abbie loved meeting new neighbors and discussing the topics that matter most to you — thank you all for coming out! We’ve got one more planned for this week: Friday, July 24 at MLK Park. See you there!
Endorsement Spotlight
We are so glad to have the support of Kelsey Perdue, Grand Rapids Ward 3 City Commissioner. Her vision of public service, dedication to her constituents, and day-in and day-out hard work are an inspiration.
With her steady commitment to delivering results for the community, Commissioner Perdue is a champion for equitable economic development and resident stability. She lives out the high standards she holds for how government should truly serve people and community instead of being beholden to “politics as usual.”
Commissioner Perdue embodies the type of “better” we believe in for all public leaders. Thank you, Commissioner Perdue, for the way you lead and move and work in Grand Rapids. Excited to work alongside you on behalf of residents.
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Conversation w/ Abbie and Daniel Rivera
Friday, July 24 from 9-10:30am
@ The Stray (4253 Division Ave S, Wyoming 49548)Join Abbie Groff-Blaszak and Daniel Rivera, candidate for Wyoming City Council At-Large, for coffee, conversation, and community. Come to ask questions, share your ideas, and talk about the issues that matter most to you.
MLK Park Ice Cream Social with Abbie
Friday, July 24 from 5:30-6:30pm
@ MLK Park Picnic Shelter (1200 MLK Jr. St SE, Grand Rapids 49506)
Join us for the next stop in our summer series of neighborhood ice cream socials!
We’re excited to co-host this event with Grand Rapids Third Ward Commissioner Kelsey Perdue, GRPS Board President and candidate José Rodriguez, GRPS School Board Trustee and candidate Erika VanDyke, and GRPS School Board candidate Ismalis Nuñez.
Storytime in the Park!
Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm
Garfield Park (250 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids 49507)
Join Team Abbie and GRPS School Board Candidate Erika VanDyke at our table every Tuesday at Garfield Park. StorytimeGR puts on this weekly event for families that includes free books and ice cream (provided by Heights Cream) through partnerships with Read GR, Grand Valley State University, John Ball Area Neighbors (JBAN) and the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events.
Head over to our Events Page for all upcoming events!
Calling all Volunteers!
Now is the time to do all you can to make sure Abbie wins on August 4! Join our fantastic team of 75+ volunteers!
Write postcards: personalizing notes to your neighbors.
Make phone calls: following up with folks we’ve talked to at the door.
Door knocking: handing out information about Abbie at people’s doors. Join one of our group times, or get a turf to knock out on your own time.
Host a gathering: invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers to an informal gathering to meet Abbie.
Indicate your interest through our volunteer form, and our campaign team will be in touch! Ready to start today? Join our WhatsApp for daily door knocking updates.
Keep us People-Powered!
Power us to the finish line of this primary campaign with a donation! Any amount, from $5 to the individual limit of $2,450, helps us reach more voters across Senate District 29!
Call to Action: Ambassadors for Abbie
Will you be an Ambassador for Abbie by connecting with five people in the district right now? Think of friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, or anyone who may still be deciding which candidate to support, or who may need a reminder to vote in the primary. In a race like this, every conversation and every vote can make a difference.
Not sure whether someone lives in the district? You can view the Senate District 29 map here.
Click here for a draft message that you can easily copy and paste. Please feel free to personalize it and share why you are supporting Abbie in your own words. A message from someone they know and trust is one of the most powerful ways to reach a voter.
You are the power behind Abbie’s campaign! Thank you for helping us grow our reach, five conversations at a time.
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