With November’s elections drawing nearer, local groups and organizations are starting to share their political endorsements. This week, two notable area groups – the Northern Michigan Policy Fund Traverse Connect Political Action Committee and Traverse Indivisible – announced formal endorsements for offices ranging from the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners to the presidency.

The Northern Michigan Policy Fund Traverse Connect PAC is described as a “a tool of the northern Michigan business community used to support the election of decision-makers who will ensure northern Michigan has a strong voice in Lansing and Washington.” The group says it supports “federal and state-level legislative candidates who have a proven track record or indicate they will be strong advocates for the northern Michigan business community.”

This fall, the PAC’s endorsement’s lean Republican, including backing for State House of Representatives incumbents Tom Kunse (R-Clare), Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), John Roth (R-Interlochen), Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), and David Prestin (R-Cedar River), as well as for candidate Parker Fairbairn (R-Charlevoix), who defeated incumbent Neil Friske in the August primary. The Traverse Connect PAC also endorsed Republicans Jack Bergman and John Moolenar for Michigan’s District 1 and District 2 seats in the United States House of Representatives, over Democrat opponents Callie Barr and Michael Lynch.

The Traverse Connect PAC’s sole endorsement on the left side of the ticket went to Elissa Slotkin, who is running against Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Debbie Stabenow.

“We are pleased to endorse these small-business-friendly and dedicated candidates for Michigan State House, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate,” said Doug DeYoung, chair of the Northern Michigan Policy Fund in a press release. “These candidates have proven records supporting initiatives important to northern Michigan’s business community and rural economies, in addition to demonstrated engagement with those operating and managing businesses in communities across the region.”

The PAC did not offer endorsements for any other offices, including President of the United States.

A longer list of endorsements was announced Monday by Traverse Indivisible, a local nonpartisan group that seeks to bring together “people of diverse political beliefs” to share in respectful dialogue and to “address inequities and inequalities, protect our environment, and support democracy.”

In its endorsements, Traverse Indivisible backed mostly Democrats, including Kamala Harris for the presidency, Slotkin for the Senate, Barr for the U.S. House, Betsy Coffia for the Michigan House, and Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas for state supreme court.

In terms of local offices, Traverse Indivisible has thrown its weight behind Mike Shea for county sheriff, Bonnie Scheele for county clerk, Andy Smits for county drain commissioner. Grand Traverse County Commission endorsements, meanwhile, include Linda Maginity, Lauren Flynn, Ashlea Walter, Fern Spence, Trenton Lee, Jan Wyant, TJ Andrews, and Pamela Kaiser.

Finally, Traverse Indivisible endorsed three candidates for the Traverse Area Public Schools Board of Education (Scott Newman-Bale, Josey Ballenger, and Ty Schmidt) and two for the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees (Kennard Weaver and Pamela Horne).

“The steering committee of Traverse Indivisible has made these endorsements after review of public statements, interviews and other available records, and in consideration of our core values,” the group shared in a statement. “Please note that we are continuing to review other ballot issues and races and may add endorsements at a later date.”