Typically, candidates are nominated at state party conventions the August before a November general election, and the Michigan Republican Party will do just that at its party convention Aug. 28, said Jennifer Hoff, spokeswoman for the Michigan Republican Party.

At the endorsement convention, about 2,200 registered party members voted, selecting Benson with 95 percent support over Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, and Leyton, who won with 52 percent support over Farmington Hills attorney Richard Bernstein, Tramontana said.

“It will clear the field for them to campaign, but we still have to formally nominate them in August,” he said.

Craig Ruff, a political analyst at Lansing-based polling firm Public Sector Consultants, said the Democrats early start might give them an advantage.

“The presumption with the Democrat experiment is that the Democratic candidates should get a head start, and the longer they have to raise money and campaign, the better,” Ruff said.

Benson and Leyton are not yet official candidates, but it is basically a guarantee that they will receive the official nomination in August, Ruff said.

“Republicans aren’t going to have but 60 days before November’s general election, whereas Leyton and Benson will have six full months,” he said. “The Republicans will be at somewhat of a disadvantage, which is the whole purpose of this endorsement scheme.”

Republicans pursuing the nomination for attorney general are Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, of Rochester, former Appeals Court Judge Bill Schuette and state Sen. Bruce Patterson, of Canton Township. Those seeking the Republican secretary of state nomination include state Sen. Michelle McManus, of Lake Leelanau, and Calhoun County Clerk Anne Norlander.

Benson said she will spend the upcoming months meeting with voters and focusing on the November general election.

“We will talk to as many voters as possible, going door to door and encouraging them to support our campaign,” she said.

Leyton spokesman John Potbury said the early endorsement means they will have extra time to build their campaign.

“Being the declared Democratic nominee gives the campaign a tremendous boost,” he said. “It gives us a jump start, and hopefully it will provide us the foundation from which to build.”