About

MISSION STATEMENT

Michiganders for Civic Resilience (MCR) is dedicated to fostering a vibrant democracy founded on trust, dialogue, and accountability. Our mission is to bridge the divides of political polarization, restore civil discourse, and uphold the integrity of U.S. elections.

Through community-driven initiatives and cross-partisan collaboration, we empower Michigan residents with the tools and resources necessary to engage constructively in the democratic process. By nurturing a network of like-minded individuals and partner organizations, we strive to prevent the erosion of public trust and mitigate the risks of violence in our democracy.

At MCR, we believe in the power of collective action to defend America's founding principles and ensure a future where every voice is heard and every vote counts. Our mission is to cultivate resilience in our communities, strengthen the fabric of our democracy, and inspire a renewed sense of civic duty among all citizens.

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OUR PRINCIPLES

Cross-partisan collaboration plays a vital role in promoting unity, understanding, and constructive dialogue within the political sphere, ultimately benefiting the public by facilitating more inclusive and effective governance. Fostering peaceful interactions and discussions and transcending party lines reduces political polarization and violence, upholds our country’s founding principles, empowers our democracy and advances effective governance.

MCR is committed to promoting truth and integrity in our political discourse, encouraging active engagement, and participation in the democratic process. As citizens, we must demand truth in politics and ensure our voices and interests are respected and represented for a healthy society and a more united Michigan.

Civil discourse requires peaceful, respectful, and constructive dialogue—regardless of backgrounds, beliefs, or opinions—and is a cornerstone of our democracy that must be upheld/restored to build a stronger and more united nation. Engaging peacefully with our fellow Americans and actively seeking opportunities to listen, learn, and understand different perspectives fosters a culture of respect and empathy that transcends our differences.

Our political system works best when everyone participates, demands that their voices and interests are respected, and works together across party lines to reduce political polarization and violence. MCR empowers Michigan residents with cross-partisan tools to reduce political violence, promote constructive dialogue and accountability, and ensure our constitutional republic remains healthy and strong.

PRINCIPLES FOR TRUSTED ELECTIONS

Michiganders for Civic Resilience (MCR) members will help mobilize support for the Principles for Trusted Elections. Launched in 2022, the nationwide, cross-partisan initiative asks citizens, organizations, and public officials to uphold five core principles of democratic elections. The Principles are:

Integrity
Nonviolence
Security
Oversight
Peaceful transfer of power

As the 2024 Election approaches, our aim is to push back on partisanship by getting citizens in every state to support these principles. Leaders from across Michigan's political spectrum are collaborating with the MCR to support these principles.

SENIOR ADVISORS

REBEKAH WARREN

Democrat

Rebekah Warren served in the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative and State Senator from 2007-2020, representing Ann Arbor and parts of Washtenaw County.

Known for her ability to reach across the aisle and negotiate, Rebekah consistently found a way to pass critical legislation without compromising her values. A small selection of her accomplishments includes advancing health care parity laws, shepherding the passage of legislation to require health insurance providers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, establishing a licensure program for the practice of applied behavioral analysis, sponsoring legislation that created the legal framework for the development and testing of autonomous and connected vehicle technologies, and championing the legislation that enshrined a woman’s right to breastfeed her child anywhere that she is legally allowed to be.

During her time in the House, she shepherded ratification of the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact -- landmark water protection legislation that effectively banned the diversion of water from outside the basin. She was subsequently appointed to represent Michigan on the Great Lakes Commission, a bi-national and interstate commission focused on water use and conservation.

Before being elected, she led NARAL Pro-Choice Michigan, which at that time was the state’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-choice organization, for seven years.

Rebekah is President of Adaptive Strategics, LLC a non-profit and political consulting firm.

TONYA SCHUITMAKER

Republican

Tonya Schuitmaker served in the Michigan Senate from 2010-2018 and was chosen by colleagues to serve as the Senate's President Pro Tempore, the second woman to hold the position. She served on the Senate Appropriations Committee and as a Chairperson of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. She was also a member of the Senate's Judiciary, and Energy & Technology committees.

She is a practicing attorney at Schuitmaker Moraitis Law in Paw Paw, Michigan. She is also Co-Director of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University. Previously, she was a member of the Van Buren County Community Corrections Advisory Board, Paw Paw Rotary, the Paw Paw Optimist Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Van Buren County Farm Bureau. She served as president of the Van Buren County Bar Association, the Van Buren County Republican Women, and as Vice-Chair for Van Buren County Republicans. Schuitmaker was named a 2014 Aspen Institute Rodel Public Leadership Fellow. She is currently a Community Board member for Sturgis Bank & Trust Company. Schuitmaker earned her Juris Doctor and graduated Cum Laude from the Detroit College of Law/Michigan State University.

TONYA SCHUITMAKER

Republican

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