Organization Endorsements
Elected Leader Endorsements
“I’m proud to endorse Michael for Park Board At-Large. Michael is experienced and passionate about service to our communities. He’s worked in the parks by overseeing the aquatics program and today he’s eager to address the needs the serve working people and their families. Michael will prioritize constituent services and working with leaders across government. I need partners like Michael so local government can work together to preserve our natural systems, calm traffic, ensure programming for our young people, and always stand up for the workers who make our parks and city possible. Please join me in supporting Michael!”
Aurin Chowdhury
Minneapolis Ward 12 City Councilmember
“Michael is a democratic socialist leader who cares deeply about investing in and improving our parks. As a Council Member, we need leaders like Michael who are willing to work with city partners and residents to make our parks accessible to all. Michael is dedicated to supporting working class residents, and values the health, safety, and sustainability of our community. His experience as an organizer and commitment to centering community voices in decision-making demonstrates the type of leadership I am eager to see grow in Minneapolis, and I am proud to endorse him this year!”
Robin Wonsley
Minneapolis Ward 2 City Councilmember
Greta Callahan
Minneapolis School Board Member for District 6, Former Minneapolis Teacher
Community Endorsements
“I have worked with Michael on issues of public health, environmental justice, and workers’ rights. I’ve witnessed how deeply committed he is to our community’s well-being, to genuine democratic participation, and to fighting for frontline communities.
When I learned that Michael is a longtime lifeguard and organized the Full-Time Lifeguards at MPRB into a union, it made perfect sense. He knows the importance of addressing public health upstream, and that keeping kids, families, and all of our neighbors safe starts with good union jobs and grassroots environmental justice. Michael will not only protect our park system, but also help make our public parks a part of the transformative vision we are building in Minneapolis of a local, regenerative economy."
Nazir Khan
MN Environmental Justice Table
“I volunteer with Michael on the East Phillips health team and have gotten to know him over the last several years. Michael is exceptionally thoughtful and truly cares about his community. I know he’ll make a great Park Board member due to his ability to listen, drive to improve community members lives, and willingness to work with all."
Urszula Parfieniuk
East Phillips Health Team
“Michael is a thoughtful, energetic, grounded, and innovative leader. I am fortunate to work alongside him in several environmental justice movements, where he consistently tackles complex challenges, solves problems, and, most importantly, builds meaningful relationships and connections. We will be lucky to have him as a Park Board Member!"
Luke Gannon
East Phillips Improvement Coalition (EPIC)
“Michael Wilson is the perfect person to serve on the Park Board: he is compassionate, knowledgeable, dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized people, and he’s a great listener. While working as a grant writer at the Native American Community Clinic, Michael helped mentor me as a new grant writer for the EPNI project. Michael is an exceptional person, and will be an exceptional Park Board Member."
Daniel Colten-Schmidt
East Phillips Neighborhood Resident
“Michael Wilson has a great platform for Parks Board, organized around the central value that Minneapolis's parks are for everybody. But most importantly, my experience working with Michael on environmental justice campaigns over the last two years -- where he's the person you can always count on to just get stuff done, taking on thankless tasks with unfailing good cheer -- tells me he can do it. I'm excited to tell all my neighbors that we have someone running who will really look out for us and our parks.”
Elizabeth Wrigley-Field
Associate Professor and Environmental Activist
“Michael Wilson will lead with people power to fight for our parks, our workers, and our environment. I worked with him on the Roof Depot struggle in East Phillips, the East Phillips Health Team, and other environmental justice fights, and do not know a more tireless advocate for a better world than Michael."
Connor Stratton
TCDSA Environmental Justice Working Group
"I met Michael through his environmental justice work in the East Phillips community and his important work with NACC. He demonstrates commitment to bringing people together regardless of zip code and values our parks as shared third spaces for our community.
Michael knows that shared public spaces such as parks, libraries & schools are an investment in community wellbeing. He uplifts work that strengthens our people, ranging from public health initiatives to organized labor to grassroots work on issues of environmental justice. Michael values the health, safety, & well-being of all people, and I am excited to support his campaign for park board."
Christin Crabtree
MPS Parent & Organizer at Nenookaasi
“I am excited to endorse Michael Wilson as a people-first candidate for Park Board. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Michael, whether at TCDSA or EPNI, in action organizing for working-class neighbors and environmental justice. I’m excited to see a Park System that supports unions and works. I’m excited to see a greater intention for community-led decision-making. And I trust Michael can lead us there.”
Toya Lopez
Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate