Michigan Democrats Plan 'Endorsement Convention'
LANSING (AP)- Michigan Democrats said Thursday they plan to endorse their candidates for the state Supreme Court and statewide education boards in March, an attempt to launch campaigns for those races earlier than usual.
The endorsements will come several months before Democrats can officially nominate candidates to run for those offices in the November election.
Nominating conventions typically are scheduled for August or September.
Democrats also used an endorsement convention to get a head start on campaigning for some races in 2010.
Democrats plan to endorse three candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court during the March 10 event at Cobo Center in Detroit. The court seats that will be up for election are now held by Republican-nominated Stephen Markman, Democrat-nominated Marilyn Kelly and Republican Brian Zahra, who was appointed to the court last year by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.
A total of eight candidates are expected to be endorsed for various statewide education and university boards.
"This is a great opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves to Democratic activists from around the state and begin meeting the voters," Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer said in a statement.
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