The endorsement convention for the Michigan Democratic Party kicks off Saturday, April 9.
The convention is a chance for Democrats to rally around several candidates for statewide office like attorney general and secretary of state. Party spokesperson Abby Rubley said the party’s diverse groups are entering Saturday's convention unified, without anyone contesting races.
“We are coming together tomorrow and virtually and in person to say, whatever corner of the tent that you sit in, we’re going to do this together," Rubley said. "And not only are we going to do this together, but you actually all get to participate as well.”
Voting on the endorsements is occurring virtually, and opened Friday morning. Rubley said she’s expecting around 700 attendees at the convention in Detroit and expects a smooth and relatively quick convention.
"We are coming together as a united front," Rubley said. "I mean that is the, what you see here, this uncontested set of races across the board. From attorney general, all the way down to the MSU board of trustees."
The convention is also a chance for the party to adopt the several resolutions listed in its packet. Those include supporting several ballot initiatives, polices against agricultural monopolies, and the removal of a statue of General George Custer in Monroe County.
The statue celebrates him as a Union officer during the American Civil War, but critics argue Custer is also a symbol of the genocide of indigenous people.