ANOTHER ROUND

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes announced she’s going for another two-year term, which outgoing Oakland County party chair Vaughn Derderian said is “unequivocally a good thing. I don’t think there is anyone better who could replace her.” Barnes is the first Black woman to hold the state’s top Democratic job, and was the chief operating officer under prior chair Brandon Dillon, helping to elect the slate of Gretchen Whitmer, Jocelyn Benson and Dana Nessel to the three top jobs, as well as helping flip the congressional seats now held by Reps. Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-8). “If you want to talk, you can call anyone, if you want to win, you call Lavora,” Dillon said. While Dems credit Barnes with helping Joe Biden and Kamala Harris turn Michigan blue again and making sure Senator Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) return to the Senate, the goal of flipping the state House wasn’t achieved in 2020, Derderian noted, “MDP can’t run the races – the candidates are on the ground doing the work.”