Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer’s bid for re-election took another big hit late Monday when 11 top Macomb County Democrats, including the “Big Five” countywide elected officials, agreed to endorse Brewer’s challenger, Lon Johnson.
The group includes county Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and Prosecutor Eric Smith, Warren Mayor James Fouts and Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte. The backing could present a major public relations problem for Brewer, a Clinton Township resident with roots in Macomb County politics stretching back over 30 years.
In a joint statement released today by Johnson in advance of the Feb. 23 chairmanship vote, the 11 officials said he “is the leader we need to build a stronger, more inclusive, more active state party that organizes at the grassroots all year round, welcomes new people to our party, and wins elections at all levels.”
“We look forward to working with him here in Macomb County to ensure that the party organization is a place for activists to gather to share their views, advance Democratic values, build stronger local party organizations and help candidates win elections,’’ the statement concluded.
Johnson, 41, who was worked for the national Democratic Party in Washington and established residency in the Kalkaska area last year, has no ties to Macomb County. What’s more surprising is that Brewer has served as an ally for many years to a number of the local officials backing Johnson.
In addition to Wickersham, Smith, Fouts and Notte, those endorsing Johnson are: county Clerk Carmella Sabaugh, Treasurer Ted Wahby, Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco, state Rep. Marilyn Lane of Fraser, Rep. Harold Haugh of Roseville, Fraser Mayor Doug Hagerty and Eastpointe Mayor Suzanne Pixley.
Last week, Johnson rocketed to frontrunner status when he picked up the endorsements of the Michigan Democratic congressional delegation, with U.S. Rep. Sander Levin leading the charge. A Royal Oak Democrat who represents most of Macomb County, Levin has been lobbying hard behind the scenes to line up support for Johnson.
About 1,500 delegates will converge on Cobo Center in Detroit for the Feb. 23 state convention, where the 2013-14 party chairman will be elected. Brewer, the MDP chairman for the past 18 years, has tried to counter Johnson’s onslaught by wrapping up support from grassroots party leaders at the congressional district, county and caucus level.
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