The Michigan Democratic Party finalized its portion of the November ballot this weekend.
The Democrats held a so-called Endorsement Convention in April. It was there that they decided which candidates to throw their weight behind for races like attorney general and secretary of state.
So when the results rolled in, there were plenty of cheers – but no shocks.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer announced her pick for lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist, last week. He formally accepted the nomination.
“We motivate voters, we change elections,” he said. “We win elections, we change possibility. We enable imagination. And when we enable imagination there is nothing that can stop us.”
At the top of the ticket, Gilchrist joins Jocelyn Benson for secretary of state, Debbie Stabenow for U.S. Senate and Dana Nessel for attorney general.
Nessel is most widely known for taking the right for gay couples to marry to the Supreme Court.
Nessel says she has grown to loathe the Attorney General’s office under Republican control.
“I’m the Democrat who’s going to turn that place around and at long last restore integrity to the office of Michigan Attorney General,” she said.
Nessel was unofficially chosen as the candidate several months ago when she beat out former U.S. attorney Pat Miles for the party’s endorsement. Nessel will take on Republican nominee, Speaker of the House Tom Leonard.
Senator Debbie Stabenow is going up against Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, John James.
“We make it clear that we are unified, and energized and ready to lead,” she said. “And Democrats are committed to getting things done for the people of Michigan.”
The Democrats also chose Megan Cavanagh and Samuel Bagenstos for Michigan Supreme Court.
