About Michael Laws

Michael Laws is a lifelong Democratic organizer, strategist, and technology leader who has spent decades building the infrastructure Democrats need to win, and communities need to thrive. Based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Michael is widely recognized as one of the Lehigh Valley’s most dedicated and innovative political leaders.

The Story That Started It All  Age 12

Michael Laws didn’t choose politics. Politics chose him ,  at the age of 12 years old.

His mother was supporting a woman named Mrs. Knowlton, who was running for Mayor. But instead of being taken seriously, Mrs. Knowlton was being dismissed by men in the community telling her she couldn’t run, that it wasn’t her place, that she should step aside. It was the kind of casual, crushing discouragement that too many people,  especially women  have faced in politics for generations.

Michael’s mother refused to accept it. And her 12-year-old son stood beside her knocking on door and canassing the neignboorhood.

That moment , watching a woman be told she didn’t belong, and choosing to fight back anyway , lit something in Michael that has never gone out. It gave him his calling: fight for the underdog. Fight for the people who are told no. Fight for the ones the system tries to push aside. Fight for the ones that are called un-electable because of gender of color. His Father told him, if you see a good fight get in it .

He’s been fighting ever since.

More than four decades later, every pro bono website, every free training, every campaign he’s taken on for a candidate others wrote off, every seat at the table he’s helped someone earn, it all traces back to a 12-year-old boy standing next to his mother, refusing to let someone be counted out before the fight even started.

A Record of Showing Up

For eight years on the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, Michael has brought one simple promise: he shows up. He has attended every State Committee meeting , missing only one during the height of COVID, and only then to protect the health and safety of his fellow members. As a member of the Rules Committee, Michael ensures the party’s foundational processes run with integrity and transparency.

Beyond meetings, Michael has submitted photography, articles, and community updates from Northampton County to State Committee, giving the Lehigh Valley a visible, consistent presence in statewide party communications. He has served on the Budget Committee and Technology Committee, and has designed and built campaign websites for candidates across Northampton County just stating out in politics noteable name’s like Joe Cappozzolo , CE CE Gerlach, Frank Pintabone, Rosie Davis, Terri Powell Easton, Northampton County, Lehigh County and Tatianna Tooley just to name a few .

Historic Leadership in the PA Black Caucus

Michael made history as the first person from the Lehigh Valley ever elected to the Pennsylvania Democratic Black Caucus , serving first as Vice Chair and, for the past three years, as its statewide Chair. Under his leadership, the caucus has strengthened representation, built powerful cross-county coalitions, and ensured that diverse voices are fully embedded in the party’s strategy and future direction.

Michael has also built strong working relationships with the LGBTQ+, Latino, Rural, Progressive, Teachers, and Disability caucuses,  sponsoring fundraisers and network-building events that reflect his belief that Democratic power grows when every community has a seat at the table.

Proven Campaign Strategist

In 2021, Michael served as Campaign Manager for Lori A. Dumas , and helped deliver her historic victory to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. It was the only statewide Democratic win in the nation that year. The campaign proved that smart strategy, inclusive messaging, and relentless grassroots energy can overcome any odds.

Over his career, Michael has managed or consulted on more than 200 campaigns ,  consistently fighting for underdogs and emerging candidates who needed a strategist who understood both data and people.

Technology Trainer and Digital Innovator

Michael is Northampton County Democrats’ photographer, videographer, and digital content creator, a role he has held for 16 years. He has produced videos for the county’s Events Committee and created the visual record of the party’s history in the Lehigh Valley.

As a trainer, Michael has empowered hundreds of candidates, volunteers, and staff through programs on VoteBuilder, petition drives, win number calculations, advanced voter targeting, TikTok strategy, and social media. In March 2025, he organized a comprehensive training covering VoteBuilder, petition training, and candidate awareness. He is now developing a groundbreaking training on ethical AI for politics  preparing the next generation of Democratic organizers for the tools that will define modern campaigns.

Education and Commitment

A graduate of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey with a degree in Political Science, Michael brings academic grounding to every strategic decision. He is running for re-election to State Committee to continue building a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive Democratic Party  one that trains leaders, wins elections, and never stops fighting for the people of Northampton County and Pennsylvania.

Fighting for Underdogs – And the Next Generation

Michael Laws has spent his career lifting up candidates and leaders who are too often overlooked. He has served as an advisor or senior campaign manager for candidates including Jack Stollsteimer, Debbie Kunselman, and Erin McClelland , consistently standing up for Democrats who needed a seasoned strategist in their corner.

For grassroots candidates without access to professional resources, Michael has gone further: providing completely free websites and pro bono digital support for candidates like Rosie Davis, Frank Pintabone, Ce-Ce Gerlach, and many others across Northampton County and Pennsylvania. Michael’s conviction is simple a modern, professional campaign shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for the well-funded. Democracy shouldn’t have a cover charge.

Cybersecurity and Technology Leadership

Few Democratic organizers bring the technology depth that Michael Laws does. As a gray-hat defender, Michael has helped protect Northampton County’s digital infrastructure from repeated foreign cyberattacks alongside local Democratic leaders  applying real cybersecurity expertise to protect the party’s operational backbone.

His technology career spans decades. Michael has worked with firms including Fastnet, NetCarrier.  123HostMe and provided managed security and colocation services using enterprise-grade tools like Check Point. He has collaborated directly with CTOs at large international organizations including LHH, led executive coaching programs, and run technology leadership groups. His work with machine learning  which began in 2012, places him among a small group of Democratic organizers who understood AI’s political implications long before it became a mainstream conversation.

Michael is now bringing this unique combination of grassroots organizing experience, campaign management expertise, and cutting-edge technology knowledge to his State Committee work , helping build a Democratic Party that is not only more inclusive and representative, but more secure and technologically ready for the challenges ahead.