Michigan Democratic convention to nominate for key posts

Wayne State University law professor Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County prosecutor David Leyton got an early lift this morning in their bids for Secretary of State and Attorney General respectively when they got the endorsement of the powerful AFL-CIO.
The endorsement was just one step, though, on the way to today’s endorsement convention, which begins this afternoon.
Benson is facing Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and Leyton is up against Richard Bernstein, a member of the Wayne State University governing board.
Both Benson and Bernstein, along with the labor endorsed gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero, Lansing’s Mayor, were allowed to address the labor caucus this morning. Winfrey, Bernstein and gubernatorial candidate Andy Dillon, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, were not.
“I am an ally for your and want to work for you as your next Secretary of State,” Benson said. “We’re going to work hard because it’s time to win that seat back in November.”
Leyton said he would bring the tradition of long time Attorney General Frank Kelley back to the office. And his first job as AG would be to end the lawsuit filed by current AG Mike Cox challenging the health care reform bill passed last month.
“That lawsuit will not stand when I’m Attorney General,” he said.
Winfrey said she wasn’t upset at the lack of opportunity to address the labor crowd.
“It means nothing because people will vote how they want to vote. I’ve always been a supporter of labor,” she said, adding if she doesn’t win the endorsement when the full convention begins later today, she won’t continue her campaign.
“I’m a team player,” she said. “I won’t be a cry baby.”
The endorsements in the two races won’t become official until August when Democratic delegates nominate their candidates at the party’s state convention. But the early endorsement allows the winners to form campaigns and raise money with the confidence that they will be the probably nominee. http://bit.ly/cYjavE