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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