MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Gretchen Whitmer has tested positive for COVID-19, her office announced late Monday. Whitmer, who is fully vaccinated and received two booster shots, said she has mild symptoms and will continue to work remotely. “After speaking with a state doctor, I will follow the proper guidance and protocols, while maintaining a remote schedule to continue getting things done for the people of Michigan,” Whitmer said in a statement. It wasn’t clear when Whitmer first tested positive. Though it wasn’t made clear when Whitmer first began experiencing symptoms, from Monday that period would end Aug. 18.

The Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party announced on Thursday the passing of chairperson Zahra Abbas.

A GOP candidate for governor in Michigan is making headlines across the nation for comments she made on exceptions to abortion.

DETROIT, MI — Michigan’s attorney general, set to speak alongside an abortion provider in Detroit Tuesday, left unexpectedly as protestors interrupted the speaking engagement hosted by the Michigan Democratic Party. Still, if the U.S. Supreme Court vacated or weakened Roe v. Wade, local county prosecutors likely still could bring charges against abortion providers under the Great Depression-era statute. Read more: 10,000 flock to help Michigan abortion-rights petition drive after Supreme Court leak“I’m not waiting,” Paris said. The provider and longtime reproductive rights advocate described a “dangerous illegal abortion” procedure she underwent at age 15. Whitmer sues in attempt to strike down Michigan’s 1931 abortion lawFor reproductive rights defenders, the stakes are high.

The Michigan Democratic Party submitted a letter of interest to the DNC this week, saying it wants Michigan’s primary to be in the early “pre-window,” per a news release from the state party. In 2020, Michigan’s Democratic primary was March 10 – more than a month after Iowa kicked off the voting. Eighteen states had their Democratic primary before Michigan, including 14 on “Super Tuesday,” a week before Michigan’s primary. Michigan’s voice should be heard earlier in the process in 2024, said Lavora Barnes, chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party. Michigan and Florida hosted their 2008 primary early without the DNC’s blessing, spurring party drama.

James Craig, Perry Johnson and Tudor Dixon turned in enough signatures to get on the primary ballot for Michigan governor this August, but they could be disqualified if new challenges from the Michigan Democratic Party are successful. The party is calling for a full audit of the signatures for all 10 Republican candidates for governor. The MDP submitted more than 100 pages of handwriting analysis, attempting to prove the same hands forged different names on multiple ballots. There are nearly 7,000 of these forged signatures in Craig’s submitted petitions, the party claims. RELATED STORIES:Michigan governor candidates ‘can’t read Trump’s mind,’ but many think he will endorse them10 Republicans file to run for Michigan governor, prompting largest primary everHuman error causes ‘voting fiasco’ at Michigan Republican endorsement conventionTrump still supreme among Michigan Republicans.

The Michigan Democratic Party is challenging three top Republican gubernatorial candidates’ nominating petitions, alleging forged signatures and other issues that could keep them from qualifying for the GOP primary.

DETROIT – It was mostly incumbents who walked away with endorsements from the Michigan Democratic Party this weekend. Led by Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes, the party endorsed a round of candidates for offices of Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Supreme Court, Michigan Board of Education; and university boards for Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University. The party endorsed Justice Richard Bernstein and State House Representative Kyra Harris Bolden for election to the Michigan State Supreme Court. Bernstein in eyeing a second term on the bench, while Bolden is serving her second term representing Michigan’s 35th House District. For the Michigan State Board of Trustees, Renee Knake Jefferson and Dennis Denno received the state Democratic Party’s endorsements.

MUSKEGON, MI – Will Snyder, a state legislative aide, has filed to run as a Democrat to represent the 87th state House district. Snyder has been district director and legislative aide for state Rep. Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, for the last six years. The newly drawn 87th House district covers urban Muskegon County, including Muskegon and Muskegon Heights, North Muskegon, and rural areas north of North Muskegon along the shore and east along M-120 to Twin Lake. He previously served two terms as vice chair of the Muskegon County Democratic Party. Democrat Deb Warren, a former Muskegon city commissioner, previously announced her candidacy for the 87th House seat.

The Michigan Democratic Party will consider a resolution that calls on the state’s Attorney General’s Office to investigate Shelby Township Police Department for its handling...

Michigan officials put $17 billion into education in the 2022 budget, but the need is much larger than that.

Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain discusses politics with Lavora Barnes, chair, Michigan Democratic Party, Rocky Raczkowski, chair, Oakland County Republican Party, David Dulio, Director of Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement, and...

A ballot drive launched in Michigan on Friday would protect women's right to an abortion in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain discusses politics with Lavora Barnes, chair, Michigan Democratic Party, Rocky Raczkowski, chair, Oakland County Republican Party, David Dulio, Director of Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement, and...

The Michigan Democratic Party has dismissed a code of conduct complaint against Disability Caucus Chair Baxter Jones, who two women have accused of sexual assault. The party temporarily suspended Jones last month following two allegations of sexual assault. That investigation concluded “the evidence weighs in favor of dismissing the complaint.”But the evidence the three-member panel weighed did not include speaking with Jones’ alleged victims. The bulk of the evidence the panel included in its report was provided by Jones, not Fernández or Huff. Huff said she found the MDP process to be flawed, partly because the party never reached out to her.

The separate allegation of sexual assault occurred at a racial justice protest spurred by the police killing of George Floyd. Huff said the changes would make it easier for victims of sexual assault to come forward than it is in the current system. Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, is a progressive and a sexual assault survivor. She thinks the MDP’s policy around sexual harassment and assault could use some re-examination and noted there had recently been conversations about and revisions to the House and Senate’s sexual harassment policies, as well. Few have faith in the Michigan Legislature’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies.

And today, I wanted to share my story of my sexual assault,” she says. Because of the history of Black men being accused of sexual assault and facing terrible consequences, like lynching, she said, saying something against a Black man is difficult. When it comes to reporting sexual assault by a Black man, she said, there are hundreds of years of history to consider. In high-profile incidents nationally, Black men were historically imprisoned or killed over such allegations. We can’t ignore the myth of the Black rapist, because it creates this bias and this belief that black men are dangerous,” Reese said.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan Democratic Party has reelected Lavora Barnes as its chairperson. Barnes was reelected Saturday, Feb. 20, during the party’s State Spring Convention. “I am thrilled to have been elected to a second term as chair of the Michigan Democratic Party,” Barnes said. Prior to that, she served as the chief operating officer for the Michigan Democratic Party. The Michigan Democratic Party’s statutory officers, also chosen at the Feb. 20 convention, include 1st Vice-Chair Mark LaChey and 2nd Vice-Chair Fay Beydoun.

“We have one message for @SenMikeShirkey, who amplified and repeated lies to undermine our democracy, openly met with militia groups and gave them messaging advice: Resign,” wrote the Michigan Democratic Party on Twitter. Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, said he was “more disappointed than surprised” by the comments. “This isn’t the first time you’ve asked for grace,” he said, referencing a prayer Shirkey gave on the Senate floor Wednesday. It demands acknowledgement of specific wrongdoing.”Michigan House Democratic Leader Donna Laskinsi, D-Scio Township, said his most comments bring into question Shirkey’s fitness to lead. “We would expect such comments from a leader of a QAnon chat group or local militia chapter – not the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate,” she said in a statement.

U.S. CongressFrom left, Reps. Lisa McClain, Tim Walberg, and Jack Bergman. The Michigan Democratic Party is calling for the resignations of three Republican members of Congress for casting a vote to prevent the certification of the Electoral College last week.Reps. Jack Bergman, Tim Walberg, and Lisa McClain supported President Donald Trump’s failed, anti-democratic plan to stop Joe Biden from becoming the 46th president, even after a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol.Without a shred of credible evidence of widespread election fraud, their votes represent an assault on democracy, said Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party.“Representatives Walberg, McClain, and Bergman’s actions have been nothing short of an attack on our democracy, a betrayal of those who they represent, and an attempt to overturn a legitimate election in favor of a wannabe authoritarian,” Barnes said in a statement. “Their conduct is a disgrace to the three Congressional districts they represent, and to all the people of Michigan. They each should resign — immediately.”The U.S. House plans to vote on impeaching Trump on Wednesday after he incited the violent mob of supporters to storm the Capitol.The GOP trio condemned the attack but took no responsibility for adding to the anger by using decisive, baseless rhetoric.“I hope the good people of Michigan’s 1st, 7th, and 10th Congressional districts see this blatant assault on our democracy, and their freedom, for what it is and join us in calling for the immediate resignation of Representatives Bergman, Walberg, and McClain,” Barnes said.Trump is likely to become the first U.S. President to be impeached twice.

DETROIT – On Tuesday, the Michigan Democratic Party announced it wants the three Republican representatives from Michigan who objected to the election results to resign. Republicans Lisa McClain, Tim Walberg and Jack Bergman all objected last Wednesday after rioters stormed the US Capitol. The call Tuesday for those resignations also comes as there is growing pressure in Washington and Lansing for lawmakers to be held accountable for furthering false election claims. “Walberg, McClain and Bergman’s actions have been nothing short of an attack on our democracy, a betrayal of those who they represent,” wrote MDP Party Chair Lavora Barnes. The next big thing we will be watching is how these members vote on impeachment Wednesday morning.

A lawsuit alleging voter fraud in Detroit relies on “hearsay, speculation and unfounded conspiracy theories,” the city of Detroit said in response, while asking the court to throw out the lawsuit. “Most of the objections raised in the submitted affidavits are grounded in an extraordinary failure to understand how elections function,” the city of Detroit said. This was not filed by the Trump campaign, but Michigan Republican poll challengers. Republican challengers were consulted and decided not to challenge the procedure at the time. “From the moment I arrived, I observed aggressive and intimidating actions by Republican challengers,” said nonpartisan poll challenger Joseph Zimmerman in a signed affidavit.

DETROIT – A judge has blocked a sudden ban on the open display of guns near Michigan polling places on Election Day. Judge Christopher Murray acted Tuesday, just a few hours after hearing a challenge from gun-rights groups. They said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, had exceeded her authority in banning people from openly carrying guns within 100 feet of polling places. Critics argued that Benson failed to go through a formal rule-making process as required under state law. We cannot allow guns to be brought to polling places to intimidate voters.”

click to enlarge Thru_the_Glass, Flickr Creative CommonsTrump at a rally in Tulsa, Okla., in June, where thousands of people gathered without wearing masks. "Yet again, Donald Trump is coming to Michigan to showcase his reckless disregard for our lives as COVID-19 cases spike," the Michigan Democratic Party said in a statement. "From day one of this crisis, Trump has lied, dodged responsibility, and refused to take this deadly pandemic seriously while Michigan pays the price. "On Friday, the U.S. reported its highly daily number of coronavirus cases, with at least 81,400 new cases reported. You can find out more about voting early here or you can head to michigan.gov/vote for more information.

DETROIT – Absentee ballots must arrive by Election Day to be counted, the Michigan Court of Appeals said Friday, blocking a 14-day extension that had been ordered by a lower court and embraced by key Democratic officials in a battleground state. Any changes must rest with the Legislature, not the judiciary, the Republican-appointed appeals court judges said in a 3-0 opinion. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson last week said 2.7 million people had requested absentee ballots, a result of a change in law that makes them available to any voter. Michigan law says absentee ballots must be turned in by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be valid. The case was heard by appeals court judges Boonstra, Michael Gadola and Thomas Cameron.

Doug Emhoff, husband of Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, visited three communities during a campaign swing through Michigan. “I should have been doing more.”Election Day is only three weeks away, but Michigan voters have been turning in absentee ballots since late September. “In 22 days, with your help, we’re going to leave no doubt on Election Day that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have won a mandate that this president can not refuse,” Emhoff said. “Parachuting" Emhoff into Michigan with 22 days until Election Day won’t help, Gustafson said in a statement. Poll: Trump cuts into Biden lead in Michigan, Wisconsin as Election Day approaches

The Michigan Democratic Party released the following statement on behalf of Chair Lavora Barnes ahead of Tuesday night’s presidential debate:"Tonight, Donald Trump will say outrageous things, he will spin, he will deflect, and he will spout egregious lies in pursuit of making this campaign about anything but his attacks on our health care. When you’re watching, you will see a president in Donald Trump who tries to obfuscate what is at stake, and you will see a candidate in Joe Biden who will articulate exactly why Donald Trump is a threat to our working families. We are seeing unprecedented energy and excitement on the ground and we are ready to turn that energy into votes and elect Joe Biden, Gary Peters, and Democrats up and down the ticket in every corner of this state.”Read: Trump Victory releases statement ahead of first presidential debateLIVE COVERAGE: Trump, Biden in first Presidential Debate of 2020 election

DETROIT – A march to protest police brutality is planned in Detroit on Friday afternoon following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week. Event info: “Hosted by Progressive Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party, Occupy Detroit, Detroit Anarchist Black Cross, March for Black Women Detroit, Michigan United, Abolish ICE Detroit and Metro-Detroit Political Action NetworkMPD Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in cold blood, Sha’Teina and Dan Grady were assaulted and tased by Washtenaw County PD, LAPD drove their cars directly into protesters marching for George Floyd.”Organizers are asking people who attend to continue to practice safe social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are also encouraging people to wear masks and gloves. It will begin at 4 p.m. at 1301 Third Street in Detroit (Detroit Public Safety Headquarters). Find more on the event here on the Facebook page.

The Chair of the Michigan Democratic Partys Black Caucus said Friday Fmr. Vice President Joe Biden should make amends with black voters after a joking remark about who is considered black while on a popular radio show. Bidens comments were however immediately seized by Republicans and Biden-opposers as offensive. In video online, Senate Candidate John James, who is black, said the Bidens comment was out of line. IN response to criticism, Biden campaign advisor Symone D. Sanders, who is also black, said Bidens comments were meant to set himself apart from Mr. Trump.