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Michigan Democrats choose Rep. Dillon to lead party

Posted at 4:30 PM, Jul 11, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-11 16:30:21-04

PORT HURON, Mich. — The Michigan Democratic Party has elected a new party chairman to succeed Lon Johnson, who resigned the post to run for Congress.

Rep. Brandon Dillon of Grand Rapids was chosen to lead the party.

“We have a unique opportunity to unite the diverse elements of our party and build an organization that is well-positioned to win in 2016 and beyond,” Dillon said. “I am eager to get started and help Michigan Democrats fight for the middle class and defeat the extreme anti-family, anti-worker Republican agenda.”

Former Kent County Commissioner, Dillon also previously served as the campaign chair for the Michigan House Democrats. He is an advocate for public education, labor, Michigan’s middle class, women, and LGBT rights.

Dillon will partner with Lavora Barnes, who will serve as Chief Operating Officer for the party.

Barnes is a former state director for Obama for America, and served as a director in the White House Office of Media Affairs, a press secretary for the Clinton-Gore campaign, and as communications director for the Michigan House Democrats.