DETROIT - A crowd of approximately 1,600 Democrats filled a banquet room here Saturday night to hear from all five 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidates.
The event, held at the Cobo Conference Center, was also highlighted by a keynote address by Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis.
Lewis followed speeches by former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard, state Attorney General Jennifer Granholm,and state Sens. Alma Wheeler Smith of Salem Township and Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township.
“Well, I can assure you of one thing - when you’re in this race, with my respected colleagues from the state Senate, a former governor and ambassador, an attorney general and the second ranking member of the United States Congress, this is not about ego,” Peters told the crowd.
The annual Jefferson Jackson Day dinner was a chance for the candidates, many of whom have just announced intent to run in the race, to highlight their positions.
Term limits restrict Gov. John Engler from attempting to hold his position in the 2002 election. In current polls, Blanchard and Granholm lead against the most likely GOP candidate, Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus. Posthumus has not yet officially declared his intent to run.
U.S. Rep. David Bonior, D-Mount Clemens, also appeared at the benefit. Bonior only recently announced his intent to run in the race, and was the only candidate to receive a standing ovation from the gathering.
Bonior hesitated to talk about his candidacy, opting instead to focus on his introduction of keynote speaker Lewis.
Bonior has served with Lewis in the Congress, and both men noted they were good friends. Bonior did take a moment to let the crowd show its support for the party as he took the podium.
“The Republicans are in real trouble - what do you think?” Bonior asked the crowd as he began his address.
While some Democrats have voiced concern over a crowded Democratic gubernatorial primary, no one present at the $150-a-plate dinner said a word as Lewis spoke. His address to the crowd included stories of his time working with civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and his own childhood.
“The Michigan Jefferson Jackson dinner is a special event,” Lewis said. “As many of you may know, Michigan is one of my favorite states, and Democrats are some of my favorite people.”
