The Michigan Democratic and Republican parties held their state conventions this past weekend. The parties finalized their tickets to appear on the statewide November ballot. Rick Pluta reports.
Michigan’s Republicans and Democrats finalized their November tickets this past weekend with party conventions.
There was no roar of the crowds as the nominations, speeches and voting all took place online due to COVID-19. The conventions chose their candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court, three public university boards, and the Michigan State Board of Education.
It was also an opportunity for two parties to fire up the voters and volunteers in the final weeks leading up to the elections.
Democrats heard from their presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, who delivered his speech remotely. Biden called his plan a “made-in-America future...”
“Led by innovative American manufacturing, American supply chains, well-paid American jobs. We’re going to expand Obamacare and make health care a right for all. Michigan is going to deliver that message to our nation and to the world.”
The marquee speaker at the Republican convention was Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump. She reminded the GOP how close the race was in Michigan in 2016.
“This year, the road to the White House runs through Michigan,” she said, “and I know through the hard work of the Michigan Republican Party President Donald Trump will be victorious this November.”
At the Democratic convention, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel caused a stir when she compared Trump to Adolph Hitler.
“You’re probably thinking to yourself, that seems really unfair. How could you possibly compare Donald Trump to Adolph Hitler,” she said. “And I will tell you this – you’re right. I am being unfair. Adolph Hitler by all accounts, could read and write very well, and he was also brave enough to serve in his nation’s military.”
Hitler served in the German army during World War I. Trump claimed four student deferments and one medical deferment during the Vietnam conflict.
The comment drew a sharp rebuke from the Michigan Republican Party. State GOP chair Laura Cox called it “insane.”
Democratic Party nominees
Michigan Supreme Court
Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack
Elizabeth Welch
Michigan State Board of Education
Former state Representative Ellen Cogen Lipton
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Brian Mosallam (incumbent)
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Mark Bernstein (incumbent)
Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs (incumbent)
Wayne State University Board of Governors
Shirley Stancato (incumbent)
Republican Party nominees
Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle
Michigan State Board of Education
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
University of Michigan Board of Regents
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at 734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
