Tonight at 5:00 p.m., Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson will announce his candidacy for Congress in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Dan Benishek. He will be making the announcement at the Marquette County Democrats’ annual Summer Sizzle Picnic in Ishpeming.
Word on the street is that House Democrat Brandon Dillon will be replacing Johnson as Chair of the MDP. Dillon is well-known for his fiery floor speeches and high energy, both of which make him a good fit for the position.
UPDATE: Johnson also resigned as Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party with the following statement:
We have worked hard over the past few years to strengthen our infrastructure and grow the party. As a result, the MDP is well-positioned to achieve the ambitious goals we have set. I welcome a successor who will build on those efforts and lead Michigan Democrats to victory in 2016 and beyond.
His successor will be chosen by the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee at their upcoming meeting on July 11th in Port Huron where candidates will be nominated and a successor elected. Delegates to the State Central Committee, Officers of the State Central Committee, and all Democratic National Committee Members for the State of Michigan are eligible to vote to elect a new Chair.
[Photo by Anne C. Savage]
