About Us

Charles Harttung was raised in Dowagiac Michigan but always had friends and family in Berrien County growing up. From going to the movies in Niles to marching in the Blossomtime Parade to enjoying the beautiful local beaches, there were so many people and places to fall in love with here. He has been politically involved since 2018 where he learned the power of good organizing after seeing a measurable increase in voter turnout across the old 78th district. In 2020, he worked statewide with Michigan’s digital organizing team to reach voters during the pandemic. Recruiting and managing over a hundred volunteers, they collectively made over 100,000 voter contact calls and knocked over 25,000 doors, having a significant influence on voter turnout. In 2022, he was the West Michigan Regional Political Director with the State House Caucus where he managed twenty three state house races and all five of his major targets won their districts, playing a vital role in securing our legislature's first progressive majority. Now he’s brought all of that experience home to Berrien County to work with Berrien Forward. Aiming to unite our county by helping elect good people up and down the ballot, promoting public health, spreading awareness of assistance programs and employment opportunities to working families and by empowering the citizens through collective action.