Michigan Democrats pick women for every statewide race in November

(Image credit: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

last updated 8 August 2018

On Tuesday, Michigan Democrats selected former Democratic state Senate leader Gretchen Whitmer as their nominee for governor, but they also renominated Sen. Debbie Stabenow, picked Joyce Benson for secretary of state, and chose Dana Nessel for attorney general. Which means that every Democratic nominee for statewide office is a woman. Benson is a lawyer and former dean of Wayne State University Law School, and Nessel is a criminal defense attorney perhaps most famous this year for this campaign ad:

"This is a rare year in which it's a plus to be a woman in politics," tweeted Amy Sullivan, journalist and Michigan native, and Whitmer, Benson, and Nessel "are tailor-made for it." Michigan's governorship is a top target for Democrats in November. But the voters, of course, will decide.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.