I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Lansing based Democratic consultant Joe DiSano says the Michigan AFL-CIO has voted to endorse Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero for governor.
DiSano posted the news on his Facebook page at about 12:45. In an e-mail exchange with Michigan Messenger, DiSano said he found out from “a source in the room.” He says to expect an announcement about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Former Bernero Mayoral Campaign Manager Patrick MacAlvey followed up DiSano’s post an hour later, writing on his Facebook page:
“Virg Bernero received the MI AFL-CIO endorsement today–Fantastic news!”
And the AFL-CIO responded to Michigan Messenger inquires by inviting us to a 3:30 p.m. conference call.
The Associate Press is now reporting that the endorsement is a done deal. From the Traverse City Record Eagle:
The Michigan AFL-CIO has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero, igniting a battle for union endorsements in the race.
The state AFL-CIO represents over 600,000 active and retired members in 59 unions throughout Michigan, including the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
This news comes the day after House Speaker Andy Dillon announced he had picked up the endorsement of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council (MBCTC). Bernero is also rumored to be in line for picking up the UAW endorsement. State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, who is also seeking the nomination, has not picked up any labor endorsements to date.
Such labor endorsements are key in a Democratic primary because they come with cash and most importantly people power. The unions will mobilize members to do phone calls, door-to-door and other campaign related work.
Calls to the Bernero campaign were not immediately returned.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter