Phil Skaggs

This week, in honor of Black History Month, I'd like to pay tribute to Rev. Lyman S. Parks, the first African American Mayor of Grand Rapids, serving from 1971 to 1976, and the first African American to be elected to the Grand Rapids City Commission for the Third Ward in 1968.

1928 Spillman Carousel - Grand Rapids Public Museum The 1928 Spillman Carousel is an iconic piece of downtown Grand Rapids that has welcomed millions of visitors for the last 25 years.

The Spillman Carousel is Back! This weekend, the GR Public Museum unveiled major upgrades to the Carousel and Cook Carousel Pavilion after a 2-year renovation. It now features freshly painted animals, new mechanics, and a brand-new accessible chariot so all of our neighbors can experience the fun.

Ramadan Mubarak! Tonight begins the holy month of Ramadan. May this sacred time bring you serenity, reflection and spiritual growth. Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, begins tonight. It comprises of a month-long fast and ends on March 19th with a celebration feast called Eid-al Fitr.

Happy Lunar New Year! 🧧🐎
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all who are celebrating across our community and around the world. Forward Fast for Freedom in 2026!

I’m excited to endorse Phil Skaggs for State Senate. I served with Phil on the Kent County Commission and saw firsthand how he gets things done for people. The people of metro Grand Rapids deserve a leader who successfully fights every day to give them a fair shot at the American Dream.

Today, we commemorate White Shirt Day and honor the UAW autoworkers who fully unionized the auto industry during the Flint Sit-Down Strike and forever changed the American workplace 89 years ago. I promise to keep fighting for organized labor and an economy that works for everyone.

It’s six months until the Democratic primary election!

This election is about to be a sprint (as soon as the snow melts)!

Now is the time to join the Skaggs Squad and keep the 29th Blue. Sign up to volunteer or apply to be a campaign fellow today at philskaggs.com/take-action

It’s only six months until the Democratic primary election!

This election is about to be a sprint (when the snow melts)!

Now is the time to join the Skaggs Squad to keep the 29th Blue. Sign up to volunteer or be a campaign fellow at philskaggs.com/take-action
Step Up, Fight Back and Dream Forward!

Trump is urging Republicans to seize control of elections from the states and place voting under his sole authority.

Trump’s plan is clear: rig the midterm elections, seize control of vote counting, destroy our democratic republic and become a dictator.

Me … most days in the Capitol.

Happy 189th Birthday, Michigan!

On this day -- 26 January -- in 1837, the Wolverine State became the 26th state of the USA! 🇺🇸

And we’re still the best damn state in the whole country!

What are your favorite places in Michigan?

Park Service removes slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia Park staff dismantled an exhibit about George Washington’s slave ownership amid a wider push to remove information on racism, sexism and climate change.

Trump and his Republicans are waging a war against Black history, against Latino history, against women’s history, against labor history, against history, against truth.

It’s George Orwell’s 1984 and Big Brother’s Ministry of Truth is erasing history.

Our campaign for State Senate is Launched!

It was an honor to have so many friends at the party. Special thanks to the next Governor of Michigan -- Jocelyn Benson -- for her support for this campaign. Together we can build a state where everyon can live their Michigan Dream!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm incredibly thankful for this team. We're working hard every day to earn your vote ... and we're having fun doing it!

Thanks Justus Young, Ava Dixon and Quinn Fjelstul DeVries!

And … Go Lions! 🦃🏈🦁

Phil Skaggs for State Senate | Fight Back, Dream Big Hi, I’m Phil Skaggs, and I'm running for State Senate to fight back and dream big for Michigan.

Campaign Launch!

Suggested Donation: Individual $80, Couple $150
Everyone is welcome.

Donate at philskaggs.com

Checks payable to “Phil Skaggs for State Senate”
Questions or to Join the Host Committee: Email, Text or Call Phil at phil@philskaggs.com, (616) 446-2280

I'm excited to invite you to the Big State Senate Campaign Launch!
With Special Guest @jocelynbenson.bsky.social, Candidate for Governor.

Monday, December 1, 6:00-8:00 pm
at The Center for Community Transformation
1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507

More info 👇

#GrandRapids! Tonight, we're doing a #MiCare town hall with @philskaggs.bsky.social at the East Grand Rapids Community Center! Come hear details of #Michigan's #HealthcareForAll plan and ask your questions to a panel of advocates. See you there!

North Carolina Confederate Monument Goes Too Far, Lawsuit Says

Next time we melt down all these monuments to Confederate traitors and slavers and sell them off as scrap. No museums nor no far away parks. Destroy them!

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/u...

Trump and Republicans are hurting Michiganders statewide. @philskaggs.bsky.social lays out how Michigan families are paying the price of their broken promises, from higher groceries to gas prices to lost manufacturing jobs. buff.ly/XGvD6RK

My new editorial in the @detroitnews: From spaghetti sauce to computer chips, Trump's trade wars, incompetent economic policies, and cruel budgets are harming Michigan's families.

www.detroitnews.com/story/opinio...

Obama’s blunt message for Democrats: ‘Toughen up’ | CNN Politics Former President Barack Obama issued a call to action for Democrats at a private fundraiser in New Jersey on Friday evening, urging those frustrated by the state of the country under President Donald ...

President Obama on the moment: "It’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up. What’s being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right."

President Obama is right, it's time we all step up, fight back and dream big again.

I'm in! Who's with me?

ICE's average annual budget through FY 2029 is now going to be $27.6 billion, which makes it a higher-funded agency than the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Prisons combined.

We are looking at a level of federal law enforcement in communities not seen in generations.

State Bills Would Require Passport or Birth Certificate to Register to Vote As the Senate considers the SAVE Act, some state legislators are trying to replicate the bill’s restrictive show-your-papers requirements for voter registration.

Lawmakers in at least 27 states have introduced bills that would require voters to provide citizenship documents like a birth certificate or passport to vote. Such rules would block huge numbers of American citizens from
voting. bit.ly/3FVtayx

Insider: Here's how much House, Senate have spent in taxpayer money to sue each other The Michigan House and Senate have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money suing each other, according to government agencies.

📰 News is getting around: I’m running for State Senate because West Michigan deserves bold leadership willing to step up to the moment, fight back against Trump and MAGA, dream big again, and build progressive change for Michiganders.

Step Up! Fight Back!

Not just a slogan. What we all have to do. I want planning on running, but felt like it is my duty to run.

I’m running to be your next State Senator because Michigan — and America — are in crisis.

We need to face that reality, step up, fight back, and dream big again.

Let's Do This!

Join the Movement! www.philskaggs.com

I don’t mean to brag … but this is your @mihousedems.bsky.social Trivia Championship Team!

As I’m considering this opportunity, I’m interested in what you think. Let me know what you’d like to see in your next State Senator. Please get in touch with me here or at phil@philskaggs.com.

This is the fight of our lives, but I know we can save Michigan and America when we work together.

I wanted to let you know: after hearing from community leaders, I’m considering running to be your next state senator from district 29.

They believe we need a tough Democrat willing to fight back against the attacks coming from Trump Republicans AND for our shared values.

Employers who are repeat offenders or are liable for causing severe injuries or the death of a young person will be held accountable. This bill passed the House last year, but fell victim to the shenanigans of the lame duck session in December. I'm working to get it to the Governor's desk this year.