Dem Convention in Detroit This Weekend Could Be Crystal Ball Into Party’s Future

Are labor unions losing their grip on Democratic politics in Michigan? Will this be the year of the progressive?

Thousands of Michigan Democrats will gather this weekend at Detroit’s Cobo Center for the party’s endorsement convention.

Political onlookers are paying close attention to one race that has become especially contentious.

The contest to grab the Democratic nomination for Michigan attorney general is likely coming down to two candidates that represent different wings of the party.

Detroit Attorney Dana Nessel is perhaps best known for her role in the Michigan case that helped legalize same-sex marriage across the United States. She has the backing of many progressive groups, including LGBTQ rights groups and marijuana advocates

Former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Pat Miles, on the other hand, has nabbed endorsements from some of the largest labor unions in the state, including the AFL-CIO and the UAW. But he has also noticeably — critics say blatantly shifted his statements over the course of his campaign in order to increase his appeal to progressives within the party.

WDET’s Jake Neher and Michigan Public Radio’s Cheyna Roth talk about the convention and what it might tell us about the future of the Democratic party in Michigan.

Click on the audio player above to hear the conversation.

Authors

  • Cheyna Roth
    Cheyna has interned with Michigan Radio and freelanced for WKAR public radio in Lansing. She's also done some online freelancing and worked on documentary films.
  • Jake Neher
    Jake Neher is senior producer for Detroit Today and host of MichMash for 101.9 WDET. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network.