Statement from Ti President, John DeSpelder re: Endorsement

As delivered at Traverse Indivisible's June 2026 Monthly Meeting

Friends,

I want to talk for a few minutes about the race for Michigan’s First Congressional District seat, currently held by Jack Bergman.

I think we’re all united in wanting to replace Bergman with someone who will represent the people of this district with integrity, accountability, and respect. There’s really no disagreement about that.

Over the past several months, the Traverse Indivisible Steering Committee has spent an enormous amount of time following this race. We’ve attended forums, listened to candidates, talked with voters, and wrestled with a question that we do not take lightly: Should we endorse in a contested primary race, and if so, who?

Historically, we have not made endorsements in contested primaries. We respect the right of our members to evaluate candidates and make their own decisions. This year, however, felt different.

For me personally, this has involved a genuine struggle between my heart and my head.

For years, I’ve advocated for values like economic fairness, human rights, healthcare access, grassroots organizing, and independence from corporate influence. I believed those values reflected the needs of working people across Northern Michigan.

But if I’m honest, I wasn’t convinced that candidates who openly embraced those values could win in a district like ours. My heart believed in them. The analytical side of me wasn’t sure they were politically viable.

Over the last few months, I’ve come to a different conclusion.

What has changed is not my values. What has changed is my understanding of the political moment we’re living in.

Across this district, people have watched wages stagnate, housing become unaffordable, young people leave, and communities struggle while too many politicians seemed disconnected from the realities of everyday life. Voters are increasingly looking for authenticity, independence, and accountability. They’re looking for candidates who show up, listen, and build trust face-to-face rather than through consultants and television ads.

I believe many of the old assumptions about what can and cannot win in Northern Michigan are no longer true.

That realization weighed heavily in our discussions as a Steering Committee.

After careful consideration, the Traverse Indivisible Steering Committee has voted to endorse Kyle Blomquist for the Democratic nomination for Congress.

We did not make this decision because we agree with every position Kyle has taken. No candidate earns support that way. We made it because we believe Kyle represents the kind of leadership this moment requires.

Throughout this campaign, Kyle has demonstrated a commitment to grassroots organizing, direct voter engagement, and accountability to the people he hopes to represent. He has shown a willingness to meet voters where they are, listen carefully, and build support from the ground up.

Most importantly, we believe he understands that political power should flow upward from communities, not downward from party insiders, consultants, or large donors.

I want to be clear about what this endorsement is and what it is not. This endorsement reflects the judgment of the Traverse Indivisible Steering Committee. It is not a vote of our membership, nor is it intended to substitute for your own judgment. I encourage every one of you to continue researching the candidates, asking questions, and making your own informed decision.

At the end of the day, this endorsement is about more than a single campaign. It reflects our belief that the First District is ready for a different kind of politics—one rooted in accountability, participation, and genuine connection to the people who live here.

For those reasons, we are proud to endorse Kyle Blomquist for Congress.

— John DeSpelder, President, Traverse Indivisible

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