Newsletter - Keeping Up With Callie 01/19/2026 |
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Hi John, The past few weeks have been more than a lot.
Please make sure as we brave the weeks and months ahead that you take time to breathe, take care of yourself, and find peace in the things that are beautiful, true, and resilient. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day - we remember his words that "there can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love." Love can hurt. But you fight for what you love, remembering that the "arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
The chaos of today will end. Hate will run its course. We don't know how long that will take, but we know that our lives and the choices we make impact the moral arc. Take inspiration from every person brave enough to bear witness and continue the necessary work of democracy. Nothing is more powerful than the fight for what you love. With all of this in mind, let's dive in.
Internationally, we’re witnessing a shocking erosion of norms. The U.S. carried out a dramatic military operation in Venezuela that erodes the rule of law both internationally and domestically. At the same time, political leaders in Washington, including Jack Bergman, have refused to rule out using military force in Greenland, a territory of our NATO ally Denmark.
All of this, of course, distracts from the fact that at home, basic needs go unaddressed. Jack Bergman voted against extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that help millions keep coverage and reduce premiums. So many have lost coverage here. We've also got folks paying more on utility bills because they didn't get FEMA funding thanks to Jack Bergman's membership on DOGE that dismantled federal agencies. Division and chaos, whether abroad or inside our own borders, isn't a policy plan that gets us healthcare or brings down the price of beef. The fight for our future is a fight for one another. So we keep going. |
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Issue Spotlight: Fighting the chaos |
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The division we’re seeing is not accidental. It is being fueled deliberately, pitting neighbor against neighbor while real issues go unaddressed.
Actions abroad and at home – raids, threats, and chaos – undermine what our communities need. While cuts have been made that impact the ability to make healthcare affordable, strengthen schools, improve local housing, and expand mental health and addiction services, Congress instead gave $75 billion to ICE.
Our tax dollars are being poured into a masked, violent, untrained and unaccountable ICE agency that sows fear in communities across America’s heartland. We don’t want this. We want our money going to real needs like ice-storm recovery, affordable healthcare, strong schools, and infrastructure investments that actually help people and keep our communities strong.
Tragically, this has real consequences. The killing of Renee Good, a mother and Minnesota community member, during an ICE enforcement action shows the deadly cost of an unaccountable system. Justice is not rule by fear.
In our district, our Native American communities are threatened. Bay Mills Indian Community reminded its members that they are United States citizens and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, among others, sent an advisory on protecting their rights during ICE encounters. When people are forced to carry papers and live in terror, that is not freedom. That's not America. Every moment spent dividing people or instilling fear is a moment not spent building the future of affordability, stability, and unity in our neighborhoods. Keep showing up — nonviolent protest in the face of violence, together in the face of fear. This might not be the America we know or recognize, but it can be. |
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve been making important inroads across our community: listening, showing up, and building real relationships. We believe representation isn’t about showing up only during election season; it’s about being present, accessible, and accountable to the people who live and work here.
Because of that commitment, our campaign continues to grow stronger, connecting with folks in Petoskey, Cedarville, and Cheboygan.
We can’t wait to share more with you. Visit
callieforcongress.com to join us and to keep an eye out for all the latest! |
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Jan. 23
Traverse City, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM - Meet and greet in Traverse City. Please contact us here for more information. Keep an eye out for more events coming soon! |
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This week we are highlighting some of our social media hits. Click the social media icons below and give us a follow! |
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| This week, we’re celebrating our incredible volunteer, Julie Netzky of Grand Traverse County!
Julie is truly a jack of all trades. A nurse, a runner, and a passionate advocate for her community, she's an invaluable member of this team. From gathering petitions and supporting events to helping with graphic design, call time, and fundraising, Julie does it all — and she does it with a smile and enthusiasm. Thank you, Julie, for your dedication, energy, and unwavering commitment to making a difference! |
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Take five minutes to share your story with us by filling out your story submission form. We want to know what YOU are passionate about. What’s an important issue in your community that we should know about?
Reach out to [email protected] if you want to join our communications team. We want to hear from everyone, and we can do that with your support. |
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People like you power this campaign: |
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Donate: Campaign contributions directly impact our campaign's success, and we need your help. Donations are used to power the essentials of reaching voters - like printing literature, running ads, supporting staff, and keeping events and outreach efforts strong across the district. |
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Volunteer: Volunteering supports our campaign by building people-centered change. Expanding outreach, strengthening community connections, and showing voters that this movement is driven by neighbors, not corporations. |
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Host an Event: We are currently looking for supporters who are willing to host an event for me. We need to set up more fundraisers and meet-and-greets across the state, and we cannot do it without you! |
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Campaign Store: Want some Callie Barr swag? Go to our campaign store and buy our merch! Your purchase helps fund our campaign, and you get some great apparel. |
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Thank you for believing in this campaign and the future we’re building together. I'll see you on the road! |
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