Today, in Johnson vs. Brewer

by: Eric B.

Sun Feb 17, 2013 at 14:00:00 PM EST

Chad Selweski.

Internal elections for a state party chairman typically produce little intrigue, but the intense, behind-the scenes campaign for the Michigan Democratic Party leadership pits a coarse, Macomb County-schooled, longtime incumbent against a smooth, charismatic newcomer who has adeptly created a bandwagon effect for his candidacy.

The result? A campaign with surrogates for Chairman Mark Brewer and challenger Lon Johnson locked in a hardball political battle for support from Democratic delegates as the Saturday state convention approaches.

How bad is it? Amid rumors about attempts to essentially steal the election, the two sides have agreed to put the convention election in the hands of a neutral entity. Perhaps Jimmy Carter is available.

Have at it.

Update! ... There is apparently some dispute as to whether Brewer has agreed to letting neutral parties run the convention.  Folks working for Lon Johnson last week sent me a letter indicating that he supports this. I sent a note to Mark Brewer's people and never heard back. I figured this was their way of answering. The Johnson folks, however, say that Brewer has never agreed to neutral parties running the convention.