Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel rushed to defend the integrity of the state party’s voting process ahead of the Sunday convention where candidates in key statewide will be selected by members.
Suzanna Shkreli, one of three Democratic candidates for MI SOS, in a statement this week called for transparency over the party’s voting process. She says party leaders refused to fulfill her request for how votes will tabulated at the upcoming convention. Members select the nominee this Sunday.
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist are also running to earn the votes of party members Sunday at the state party’s endorsement convention with Shkreli, a former lottery commissioner and Whitmer appointee.
Shkreli in a statement released Thursday called for “immediate clarity and transparency” ahead of the upcoming convention.
“After being refused her request that Michigan Democratic Party leadership outline, in writing, how the MDP plans to tabulate votes, insure the in-person voting requirement is enforced, and detail a verification and appeals process, Shkreli has chosen to speak out,” a statement from Shkreli’s spokesperson said.
“I think the Democratic Party’s convention should be conducted democratically,” Shkreli said in the statement. “Nobody should be scared to detail how the nomination will be fair, transparent, and secure. As Donald Trump tries to untie the fabric of America’s electoral system, Democrats have the opportunity to set an example. Delegates are traveling from every corner of this state to cast their vote, they should not be left with unanswered questions about how votes are cast, counted, or verified.”
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel rejected the accusations as baseless attacks in a statement to Michigan Chronicle Thursday.
“The Michigan Democratic Party does not take sides in primaries or comment on primary campaigns. However, we will not accept baseless attacks on our endorsement process or our staff,” Hertel said. “Our Call to Convention was passed by the State Central Committee in December 2025 and is clear on the established voting rules, procedures, and requirement of being on-site to vote.”
Both of Michigan’s major party conventions have seen infighting and internal divisions over rules and bylaws. Last year’s February convention at the RenCen saw arguments over bylaw disagreements that disqualified hopeful Brandon Jessup from the chair race for the party’s Black Caucus, led by Keith Wiliams.
In 2024, a dispute over who was the legitimate state party chair resulted in two different MIGOP conventions, leading to an intervention by the Republican National Committee.
Hertel, a former state senator, said all candidates have had access to the rules agreed as established by the party’s State Central Committee when they signed their declaration of candidacy.
“While there is certain proprietary information that we are unable to share, we’ve worked closely with our election software vendor and all candidates to ensure standards are upheld,” Hertel said, adding that Sunday’s convention, where party members will select candidates who will face Republicans in November general elections, is “the most transparent convention in MDP’s history.”
“We look forward to hosting MDP members on Sunday and electing Democrats up and down the ballot this November.”
Shkreli has accused Gilchrist, the state’s first Black lieutenant governor, of running to become the state’s top election official and leader of the department of state in consolation for ending his campaign for governor.
“I know that the Lieutenant Governor, for example, was running for governor,” Shkreli told Lansing-based MIRS. “It’s hard now to think that somebody who really doesn’t want the position is really fighting hard to have it.”
Once Gilchrist entered the race for Secretary of State, two Black candidates for the position left the race. One of those candidates, Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie, said in his concession video he believes Gilchrist will become the party’s nominee.
The convention voting begins at 3pm Sunday and is set to adjourn at 6pm, however, organizers say time of adjournment is subject to change.
