THE DEMOCRAT CAMP
While a number of names of possible contenders for the state Democratic party chair have been floated since current Democratic chair Lavora Barnes announced her retirement, with just a month before the February party convention only two persons have formally announced for the spot. One is Al (BJ) Williams, a party activist from Detroit. The other is former state Senator Curtis Hertel, who announced weeks ago and already has the endorsement of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and a growing number of elected officials. Hertel is a former state senator, recent candidate for congress and director of legislative affairs for Whitmer. As we were putting this issue to bed, the Michigan Jewish Democratic Caucus was holding a fundraiser for Hertel in Birmingham, organized by David and Anessa Kramer and Marcie Orley, with donation levels of $50-$1,000. Betting money seems to be on Hertel.
