Curtis Hertel running for Dem Party chair, backed by El-Sayed, Benson
LANSING — After a wave of victories for Democrats in the midterm election, Michigan Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel Jr. announced Thursday, Nov. 12, that he's seeking another two-year term and has already garnered the backing of the state's new leaders. Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson, U.S. Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, Attorney General-elect Eli Savit and Secretary of State-elect Garlin Gilchrist II, who won races on Nov. 3, all endorsed Hertel for a second term in charge of the state Democratic Party. The coalition of support, which also includes United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain and the Democratic leaders of the state Legislature, will make it difficult for someone to launch a significant challenge to Hertel at the party's convention in February. "It’s been the honor of my lifetime to lead the Michigan Democratic Party, and together, we delivered historic victories that saw Democrats win every statewide race, flip three congressional seats, and regain our Democratic trifecta in Lansing," Hertel said in a statement. "Our work isn’t finished, and it’s why I’m running for re-election to continue leading the Michigan Democratic Party through 2028." More: Democrats sweep Michigan in historic blue wave The son of a former state lawmaker, Hertel, 48, of East
