Labor endorsement underscores growing momentum to rein in corporate influence and strengthen democracy for working families

LANSING, MI — SEIU Michigan has endorsed Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP), a statewide ballot initiative aimed at reforming Michigan’s campaign finance system by curbing the outsized political influence of regulated utility monopolies and large government contractors, closing dark-money loopholes, and strengthening transparency around political spending — including online ads.

SEIU Michigan represents tens of thousands of workers across the state, including healthcare workers, public employees, and service workers. The union’s endorsement reflects the initiative’s focus on restoring accountability in a system that currently allows powerful corporate interests to use political contributions to influence the very officials responsible for regulating them.

“For too long, Michigan’s campaign finance system has allowed large corporations and government contractors to buy influence over political decisions that directly affect workers’ wages, benefits, public services, and the cost of living,” said Charlesetta Wilson, President of SEIU Healthcare Michigan. “This ballot initiative takes meaningful steps to end pay-to-play politics and ensure that elected officials are accountable to voters and working families — not corporate donors. SEIU Michigan is proud to stand with this broad coalition fighting for a more fair and transparent democracy.”

The endorsement comes as MMOP continues to build statewide momentum. The campaign is working toward a goal of 356,958 signatures to ensure qualification for the 2026 ballot. Support for the initiative spans a wide range of labor, environmental, democracy-reform, faith, racial justice, and civic organizations. Recent polling shows that more than 80 percent of Michiganders — across party lines — support the core reforms included in the proposal.

“SEIU Michigan’s endorsement speaks to what this campaign is really about: fairness, accountability, and putting political power back where it belongs — with Michigan voters,” said Courtney Otto, Campaign Manager for MMOP. “When regulated monopolies and major contractors are allowed to bankroll politicians who oversee them, it creates conflicts of interest that hurt workers, ratepayers, and communities. This initiative draws a clear line and says our democracy should work for people, not corporate insiders.”

MMOP will continue working closely with SEIU Michigan and other endorsing organizations to align on member education, signature collection, voter engagement, and coalition-building as the campaign moves forward.

For more information or to get involved, visit mopupmichigan.org