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To the surprise of no one, the Michigan Democratic Party has nominated its slate of state officeholders for second terms.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel were all endorsed at the party’s convention over the weekend.
State party officials also confirmed a serious push to move Michigan up to an earlier date in the Democratic presidential primaries, with a goal of making the state more influential in the process.
The Republican Party begins its nominating process for challengers to those positions tonight, with county conventions across the state.
At those meetings, delegates and alternates to the April 23rd state convention will be selected.
The GOP process is likely to involve far more fireworks, with multiple candidates for the top jobs.
One attorney general candidate, Kalamazoo lawyer Matt DePerno, took the stage at Donald Trump’s recent rally in southeast Michigan, and urged his supporters to “storm the conventions.” Party rules, however, limit the voting to precinct delegates elected in August 2020, additional precinct delegates installed at conventions held since then, and select elected and party officials.
By party rule, all conventions begin tonight at 7:00. The Copper Country party convention, which includes Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, will be held at the Mine Shaft. The Baraga County convention will take place at the Lakeside Inn, and the Ontonagon County convention will be held at the Rockland Township Building.
