Democratic rift over corporate influence, Gaza on display at Michigan convention

Michigan Democrats elected a new chair Saturday while navigating dynamics within a party representing competing interests.

A photographer zooms in to take a photo of U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor. Photo: Samuel Robinson

Several moments during the Michigan Democratic Party’s spring nominating convention over the weekend highlighted the division among liberals in Michigan and across the country.

The Renaissance Center was filled with political leaders and candidates running for local and statewide office at the state party’s convention Saturday.

Detroit City Council candidates running to replace or fill a seat on the nine-member body showed up to talk to voters. Mayoral candidates the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, Fred Durhal III and Todd Perkins came to the convention with volunteers and spoke in front of district members about their candidacy.

Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson, Democrats running for governor in 2026, were also in attendance.

Former state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. was named chair of the party, winning uncontested. Al “BJ” Williams, who had some vocal supporters, didn’t collect enough signatures the morning of the convention to be a valid candidate. Keith Williams held onto his seat as chair of the party’s Black caucus, winning another uncontested election that would have included Brandon Jessup had he applied in time, according to Williams. Jessup said he was made aware of the deadline that morning.

However, Williams’ reelection and Hertel’s expected replacement of former MI Dems chair Lavora Barnes — the party’s first Black chair elected in 2019 who led Democrats to historic wins — say less about the state of the party than the following incidents that created national discussions among Democrats online.