Midland, MI: Saturday afternoon, as about 1,800 gathered for a local demonstration of the nationwide No Kings 3.0 rallies, state Senate candidate Chedrick Greene urged mid-Michiganders to stand up for patriotic working people, and stand up to government overreach.
Retired Sergeant Major Greene, who won the Democratic nomination with over 60 percent of the vote in a six-way primary for Michigan’s 35th Senate District, drew distinctions between his 30 years of experiences as a U.S. Marine and how the current federal administration has disrespected military service members and not put Americans’ best interests first.
“Tariffs, healthcare cuts, and a war nobody voted for are causing real pain for real people. As a combat Veteran deployed to a dozen nations over 30 years, I know the costs of war and armed conflicts. It might be cheap and easy for one man and his billionaire oil buddies to spend our taxpayer dollars and put service members’ lives at risk in Iran. But, it’s not cheap, and it’s not easy, for working and middle-class Americans. Americans like us… who are facing skyrocketing prices as we try to put food on the table and gas up the old cars we can’t afford to upgrade.
“Trump’s war in Iran has already cost us $25 billion dollars, almost $1 billion dollars a day. And it’s reported his administration wants another $200 billion. How many of you would rather see that $200 billion spent here at home? Here on our roads and bridges? Here on our schools? Here on affordable housing? Here on our healthcare?” VIDEO CLIP
Just before Greene’s closing remarks, a bald eagle circled above the crowd and bandshell. Many took it as a hopeful harbinger of the positive difference patriotic citizens can make, and the power in demonstrations like Saturday’s No Kings Rally.
Chants of “Greene the Marine” brought the first-time candidate out for a curtain call after concluding his speech with this passage:
“In the military, there’s a saying— “I’ve got your 6.” The “6” refers to the 6 o’clock position— directly behind someone— where a wingman or fellow service member watches for threats. What you’re doing – in every protest and prayer, and all the little things in between— you are covering the “6” of everyone feeling vulnerable right now. THAT. MATTERS. Thank you for that.
“And know this: I’ve got your 6… I’ve got your back here today, and I would love to have your back in the Michigan Senate.” VIDEO CLIP
Along with support from the 35th District’s most recent state Senator and current Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Greene’s endorsements include Giffords PAC, VoteVets, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and 18 Michigan labor organizations including the Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, and United Auto Workers Region 1-D. The diverse coalition of elected and community leaders, advocacy groups, and labor unions backing Greene may be found at: https://chedrickgreene.com/endorsements/.
The campaign to fill the seat previously held by McDonald Rivet is drawing statewide and national attention. With Michigan Democrats currently holding a 19-18 majority, the race will determine the balance of power in the state Senate for the rest of this year. A swing seat in a swing state, this special election outcome will also be an early bellwether of the political mood ahead of the November 2026 elections.
Born and raised in Saginaw, Sergeant Major (Ret.) Chedrick Greene is a decorated, 30-year Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 31-year union member, and currently serves as Fire Captain in his 27th year with the City of Saginaw Fire Department. He recently worked as District Assistant for the 35th Senate District office, representing then-state Senator McDonald Rivet and serving as a liaison with constituents. In March 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Greene to serve a two-year term on the Statewide Housing Partnership under the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
A lifelong resident with deep community roots and the leadership needed to help Lansing work better for working families, Chedrick Greene is running for State Senate District 35 to make life more affordable, safe, and free in mid-Michigan.
Michigan Senate District 35 includes portions of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. Absentee voting for this special election is underway, and Election Day is May 5, 2026.