Serious challenge to Brewer

[JNelson6563]

Wow! I was shocked to get this in my e-mail this morning:

Dear Julie,

In 2012 we were able to achieve some important victories. Unfortunately, we suffered disappointing State losses and we now face many challenges in Michigan with the actions of the Governor, the State Legislature and the Michigan Supreme Court. We have a lot of work to do together to change this dynamic and win at the state and local levels.

We believe that the combination of challenges and opportunities that dramatically confront Michigan Democrats today have called on us as elected Democrats to urge a new and inclusive chapter in MDP leadership.

There exists around our state an abundance of leaders, committed activists and talented local elected officials and now is the time to send a clarion call to all – those involved in the Party and those not yet involved – that the Party is the place to gather to advance Democratic values. We must build a stronger organization that reaches out to more constituents, conducts more organizing activities, pushes the envelope on technology, communicates a consistent message, builds infrastructure around the state and raises a broad range of resources to accomplish these objectives.

That is why we are excited to support Lon Johnson to be our next State Party Chair. He is a strong leader who represents the future of our Party in Michigan.

For more than 20 years, Lon has served in critical strategic roles for political campaigns and committees, advocacy organizations and businesses, including key positions at the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Congressman John Dingell’s 2002 campaign. In 2012, he ran for the Michigan State House of Representatives in the 103rd District, and received more than 47% of the vote in a Republican district. Lon grew up in the Downriver community of Rockwood. He currently lives in northern Michigan with his wife, Julianna Smoot, who served as Deputy Campaign Manager for President Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012.

We believe Lon is the right leader and will bring to the Party vision, energy and a commitment to collaboration.

As a Democratic family, we have worked hard together on so many issues important to our state. We respect the hard work and long service of our current State Chair, the MDP staff, volunteers, and organizations throughout the state. This is about uniting for the future of our Party. We invite you to join us.

Looks like this letter was signed by every member of Michigan's Dem Congressional delegation.

On a personal note, I like Mark Brewer well enough. He works hard and does bother to travel to the far flung regions of our state frequently. As a resident of the far flung regions I appreciate that. On the other hand I am sick of MI being so damn red!

Many of our county parties are so lame and lazy, we need someone who can be more effective in motivating them. Too many think this is the old days where the state party will do most of what's needed and unions will fill in the blanks. Those days are long behind us and we need a shot of reality in some counties. We need leadership on the state AND county levels that make it clear that if we want to change things we all need to get busy and make a difference.

/rant off

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

Julie

[maddogesq]

1. It's time for a change, but that's all I will say. emom

.

[PassingFair]

2. Brewer withdrew.

Sad day.

I liked the shirts that said: "Lon WHO?"
and the fact that when you type his name into
a google search it auto-corrects to

LONG JOHNSON.