Dylan Wegela

Dylan Wegela was born in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a high school diploma from Franklin High School and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Eastern Michigan University.[1] Wegela's career experience includes working as a public school teacher.[2] He co-founded Arizona Educators United.[1][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a working-class family. Both of my grandparents worked in the automotive industry and were UAW members. I have been serving and fighting for working-class communities my entire adult life. I taught in public schools for 7.5 years. I’ve taught in Arizona, Michigan, and South Korea. When I lived in South Korea I would travel 4 hours by bus each way to tutor North Korean Refugees in English. I served two years as my teacher's union president, while teaching full-time, and won record contracts as our lead negotiator. In 2018 I helped organize one of the largest teacher strikes in US history bringing $400 Million into public schools. Since being elected I have introduced legislation to take DTE and other powerful corporations in Michigan.

My wife Anna is a mental health professional and we are committed to connecting families in our district with the resources they need. Since being in office we have helped hundreds of constituents in need. I’m running for re-election in the State House to continue my work serving the community and fighting for the people of District 26.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Worker power. Wealth is not created without workers, we deserve to live in a society where we prioritize a true democracy that ensures that wealth benefits us all.Corporate Accountability. Unfortunately, the last several decades have been the story of a fierce effort by the wealthiest people in the country dismantling systems that promote equality, and using their money to influence elections. We should not call ourselves a democracy when millions in dark money can be spent to muddy the truth and shape false narratives against working-class candidates and ballot questions. Every level of government and politics needs comprehensive mechanisms for transparency, and we must reform campaign finance.Fighting for our future. After graduation, I taught in well-funded classrooms in South Korea, and under-funded schools in Arizona. When I returned to Michigan, it became clear we needed to double down our efforts to invest in Education and other social programs that promote equality, justice, and upward mobility. We need to make sure future generations have a shot at a meaningful life, and that we work to invest in our students and their teachers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Tax policy. Three people have more wealth than the bottom half of our country. In the wealthiest country in the world, we should take care of each other, it isn’t radical to want my neighbors to have healthcare, housing, and food. We need to continue the work towards a tax system that supports the people of Michigan and not just a wealthy few.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Eugene Debs. He spoke to the crises of his time with clarity, and fought for a better world with labor unions and through running for office. I am grateful for his heroic dedication to the working class.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I strongly recommend for everyone to read Red State Revolt, especially if they want to understand the environment that shaped my approach to politics. Read the Arizona chapter if you want to learn about my work.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Every elected official should be transparent, hardworking, and accountable to the people they represent.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am hard-working, transparent, and never afraid to speak my mind. I am grateful for the integrity I’ve had modeled for me in my role models, and for my constituents who have given me this opportunity to bring these values to Lansing.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A good State Representative needs a strong legislative plan, and a responsive constituent services operation. They also need to lead by following their conscience. I am proud of the work my staff and I have done this first term, where we have impacted legislation in Lansing, and helped out residents of Inkster, Garden City, Romulus, and Westland along the way.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope that my work is remembered for unapologetically fighting for the working class.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

As a teenager, I worked at Taco Bell. Food service is brutal work, and anyone else who has done it should agree that it deserves much better pay.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Power of Now has guided me towards living a more present life

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Solidarity Forever

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I live with fibromyalgia. I am grateful for the humility it brings, and I always remember to prioritize the less visible struggles those around me may be facing.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Coequal. Legislators, executive leadership, and all staff should have an appreciation of the different roles they have to play in a functioning, representative government.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

We need to focus on climate change and protecting the great lakes. This means massive investments in infrastructure and curbing the political shortsightedness of companies like DTE, guaranteeing a quality education for every kid in Michigan, and fighting wealth inequality along the way. Climate change is not some abstract threat of a changing average temperature; it is power outages in our neighborhoods, kids struggling with asthma, and water bottles being jacked up in price after a disaster. Greed is destroying our planet and our lives, and we need to hold those polluting accountable and build a resilient world to deal with the mess we’ve been left with.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. I had not served in elected office before being a state legislator, but I helped lead a (winning) strike and served as my local union president. I think some sort of leadership experience is helpful. Ultimately, a good legislator should be present in their district, lead with courage, and be strong enough to do what is right regardless of the influence of special interest groups.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. One key part of my job is to get at least 55 other people to agree with me - and that’s before anything makes it to the Senate or the Governor’s desk. Friendly, professional, and honest relationships with my colleagues is an important priority.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Locally: Former State Rep. Youssef Rabhi was an amazing voice for working people in the Michigan legislature, and I appreciate all the insight he’s given me. I also greatly appreciate US Rep. (and former State Rep.) Rashida Tlaib and her often singular voice for justice in Washington, D.C. US Senator Bernie Sanders, whose long-shot run for the presidency and decades of consistent messages against hatred and greed inspired how I look at the world.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I hope to serve in our State House so long as my district decides to send me back to be their voice in Lansing.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I am always devastated when we have a power outage in our district made worse by the profit-driven approach at DTE, and my constituents deal with everything from tossing out food and medicine to having to make plans to keep their life-saving equipment powered.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Trickle-Down Economics

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The legacy of emergency managers will not be forgotten, and the legislature should be careful to not aid in administrative coups against the democratic will of communities through the state.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

In 2013, Michigan’s far-right Republican trifecta chose to close Inkster Public Schools instead of providing support for the students and families in Inkster. When the district was closed, Inkster residents were stuck with the debt. That’s why I introduced House Bill 4424, which would forgive that debt and provide relief to the city of Inkster. Ultimately the debt forgiveness ended up as part of the School Aid Supplemental, House Bill 4292, which I proudly voted yes.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

All 4 in District Mayors:

Byron Nolan-Inkster

Mark Jacobs-Garden City

Kevin Coleman-Westland

Robert McCraight-Romulus

Many city councilors

Inkster

Lewanna Abney Mitchell

Steven Chisholm

Lindsey Scott

Angela Hopkins

Garden City

Kim Dold

Stacy Karafotis

Zach Witt

Romulus

Tina Talley

Paris McCarthy

Porsche Laster

Westland

Mike McDermott

Mellissa Sampey

Melanie Hines

Our Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

Grassroots orgs

Metro Detroit DSA

Our Revolution

Run for Something

We the People

Michigan People's Campaign

Working Families Party

Equality Michigan

Detroit Action

Fems for Dems

Mi Liberation

Moms Demand Action

Michigan LCV

Planned Parenthood.

Unions

MEA

UAW

Laborers

Michigan Nurses Association

AFSCME

SEIU

MPFFU

Firefighters

Carpenters

What committees interest you?

I am happy to serve as Vice Chair for the House Committee on Elections, and as a member of the House Committees on Education, Labor, Ethics and Oversight, and Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security. I would be happy to contribute to our committees on tax policy and economic development.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Everyone should have accessible and understandable information about how their tax dollars are spent, and crucial information about the people helping shape those decisions. I applaud the changes we have made in Michigan on this, but still think we have a long ways to go until we have a fully transparent and accountable state government.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

Michigan’s ballot initiative process in recent cycles has proven to be a powerful tool for the people of Michigan. In response to the Supreme Court’s extreme decision to overturn reproductive rights with the Dobbs decision, the people of Michigan circulated petitions for what would become Proposal 3. That amendment to our state constitution protects reproductive freedom in the state of Michigan. The people have also ended gerrymandering, legalized recreational marijuana, and demanded more oversight for elected officials using ballot initiatives.

The legislature should take a pro-democracy stance and prohibit itself from the cynical “adopt and amend” process, in which previous legislatures have adopted ballot measures and watered them down through amendments. Additionally, I look forward to continued partnership with the Secretary of State and transparency advocates to ensure our petition circulation processes are transparency and accountability-focused.

Dylan Wegela did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.