UFCW Local 951 endorses Barb Byrum for Secretary of State
May 27, 2025
Union is First to Declare Support for Byrum’s Candidacy
May 23, 2025 — Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, who launched her campaign to be Michigan’s next Secretary of State on Wednesday, announced the first major endorsement of her campaign today. UFCW Local 951 shared their endorsement of Byrum’s campaign via their social media accounts.
“I am so thankful to have the early support of UFCW 951 for my candidacy for Secretary of State,” said Byrum. “UFCW Local 951 represents nearly 30,000 hardworking men and women throughout the state and I am honored to support them during my time as Clerk and in the State Legislature.”
Throughout her tenure as Ingham County Clerk, Byrum has been requested by the UFCW to serve as a third party card counter for union card checks at those workplaces looking to unionize under the UFCW. Byrum has completed those checks on numerous occasions.
“Barb has been a long-time friend of the people of the labor community and has always stood in solidarity with our members,” said John Cakmakci, President of Local 951. “We proudly endorse Barb to be our next Secretary of State. She is a champion for workers’ rights and has always been a friend of the labor movement!”
Byrum has served for 12 years as Ingham County Clerk and six years as a State Representative in the Michigan Legislature. She is a former small business owner who owned and operated Byrum Ace Hardware in Charlotte for 18 years.
“When Republicans were ramming right-to-work through the Legislature during Lame Duck session, I was proud to stand in protest with my union brothers and sisters,” said Byrum. “My friends in the labor community know that I will always stand up for them, and I am so pleased that they have decided to support me as well.”
Byrum is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State, which will take place at the Michigan Democratic Party’s statewide convention in spring 2026.