Lavora Barnes

Lavora Barnes (born 1964/1965) is an American political executive who served as the chair of the Michigan Democratic Party from 2019 to 2025. She is the first African-American woman elected to be the position and the second woman.

Early life and education Barnes was born in North Carolina and grew up in Virginia. She graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1987.

Career Before moving to Michigan, she was the Virginia press secretary for the Bill Clinton 1992 presidential campaign and later worked in his administration.

In 2004, Barnes became a staffer in the Michigan House of Representatives. She worked the Communications director for the Michigan House Democratic Caucus three years later. She also worked as Oakland County's deputy clerk and the state director for the Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign.