Michigan Senate Race Digital Strategy
Justice will require balance.
Ideas expressed here are my personal opinion and do not reflect any positions being taken by the Broadband Institute Foundation, other than the fact that the mission of our educational nonprofit is to help people learn how to better collaborate with each other. After all, biological evolution has shown us that species who are able to collaborate are the ones that survive.
To shape a digital strategy for Mallory McMorrow’s 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Michigan, let’s examine her current approach and themes—from her viral speech to outreach via a brewery tour—here are tailored recommendations that align well with her community-oriented, inclusive platform:
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Key Strategic Pillars
- Authentic Storytelling & Narrative Clarity
- Build on Viral Momentum: Leverage the emotional impact of her 2022 floor speech defending LGBTQ youth, as well as her “We need new leaders” campaign announcement. These moments have cemented her image as sincere and bold.
- Positive Visioning: Embrace her messaging in TIME about reclaiming the American Dream—promote a future where hard work pays off and access to education and homeownership is universal.
- Hyper-Local Digital Engagement
- Geotargeted Social Outreach: Create content tailored to regional identities across Michigan—from Detroit suburbs to northern and rural communities—reflecting her brewery tour’s success connecting at the ground level.
- Peer-to-Peer Networking: Develop digital toolkits for volunteers to share stories from within their communities, boosting word-of-mouth outreach and trust.
- Hybrid Events, Livestreams & Interactive Media
- Expand Brewery Tour Concept: Continue hosting relaxed, informal meetups in local venues—brewery livestreams or hybrid in-person/digital “town halls” invite real engagement without partisan formality.
- Behind-the-Scenes Series: Share short video clips from her campaign trail or personal moments—bringing the candidate’s authenticity to audiences seeking connection.
- Values-Based Digital Messaging
- Issue Highlights with Storytelling: Frame core issues like healthcare, reproductive rights, gun safety, and education access around lives—real families, students, neighbors—consistent with her pragmatic and inclusive stance.
- Engagement on Policy & Emotion: For instance, share specific Midwest stories—someone benefiting from paid leave or Medicaid—that illustrate how policy matters, not just political points.
- Youth & First-Time Voter Outreach
- Social Platforms & Influencers:
- Activate Gen Z and Millennial-targeted TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Snapchat content—interviews, candid moments, rapid responses to trending issues.
- Community Activations: Partner with local colleges, faith communities, and cultural organizations, offering digital events like virtual voter registration drives and “Ask Me Anything” sessions.
- Social Platforms & Influencers:
- Rapid Response & Peer-Organizing
- Real-Time Reaction: Build an agile team to respond quickly to political developments or opponent claims, using authentic messaging, not jargon.
- Volunteer Empowerment Tools: Provide templates and pre-sized graphics for digital canvassing—text scripts, shareable videos, localized flyers—to boost volunteers’ digital activism.
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Strategic Summary Table
Focus Area Digital Strategy Example Authenticity & Vision Viral storytelling + positive messaging campaigns Local Engagement Geotargeted ads, livestream brew events in key cities Interactive Media “Real talk” series shots, behind-the-scenes videos Issue Framing Stories illustrating impact of healthcare, education, etc. Youth Voter Outreach TikTok challenges, Snap stories, campus engagements Rapid Response Tools Quick rebuttal videos, volunteer content toolkits
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Community Internet Alignment
This approach perfectly aligns with our core principles at our non-partisan Community Internet: regenerative, grassroots collaboration, Commons-Based Peer Production. By empowering volunteers with tools to co-create content and narratives, we foster a digital ecosystem where campaign ownership is shared, not centralized.
