To the Members of District 4,

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I’m writing to you not just as a candidate for Committeeperson, but as a fellow union member who believes deeply in the power of collective action and shared purpose. The decision to run again wasn’t made lightly—and it isn’t about any one individual. It’s about all of us, and the kind of union culture we want to build together.

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Many of you have heard about the Article 31 charges that were filed against me. Let me be clear: these are retaliatory charges, filed only after I began asking tough but necessary questions about our local’s financial deficit. Instead of engaging in a democratic dialogue, some chose to respond with silence, intimidation, and procedural attacks meant to shut down conversation. That response isn’t just about me—it’s about sending a message to anyone who dares to question the status quo.

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These charges are currently under appeal, as is my right under Article 33 of the UAW Constitution, and I am also in contact with IEB members about these charges and what to expect. I fully expect them to be dropped in their entirety, as they have no merit. I aso commit to this membership that I will not file counter charges although it's been suggested, and is my right. However, I cannot allow more time to be wasted on things that do not serve the membership in its entirety. But the deeper issue is not just the charges themselves—it’s what they represent.

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I wasn’t planning to run again. But members from District 4 reached out and asked me to reconsider. They made a powerful point: if I step aside now, I would be allowing these kinds of tactics to work. 

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That’s why this moment matters. Not because I’m running, but because when retaliation goes unchallenged, it weakens all of us. Any one person can be isolated—but when we come together to defend fairness, democracy, and transparency, we’re much stronger than any single threat.

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This race isn’t about me “winning.” My goal is to open up a conversation about how we can build a more member-led culture—one where participation is encouraged, where questions are welcomed, and where our union is led by the rank and file, not just managed from above. We have to make space for open dialogue, not shut it down.

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More broadly, the real fight we face isn’t internal—it’s against corporate greed and the forces that threaten the stability of working people across the country. Our generation’s challenge is to secure what previous generations fought so hard for: good middle-class jobs, healthcare we can count on, dignity after retirement, and a work-life balance that allows us to live, not just survive. That fight demands solidarity—not silence.

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Our union was never meant to be a place where tough questions are punished. It was meant to be a space where members stand shoulder-to-shoulder, especially when the stakes are high. We must continue the tradition of those before us who refused to back down—who understood that unity, not fear, is how we win lasting change.

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I’m running because I believe we need a different kind of leadership—leadership rooted in service, accountability, and transparency. I believe District 4 deserves a representative who will always put the needs of the members first, who is not afraid to speak up, and who is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive, and more democratic local.

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Thank you to the many of you who encouraged me to take this step. I don’t take your trust lightly. Win or lose, I am committed to continuing this conversation and building a culture where all voices are heard—and respected.

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In solidarity,

Jessie Kelly
Candidate for District 4 Committeeperson