Michigan will be well represented when the Democratic National Convention kicks off virtually tonight.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be speaking tonight as will Birmingham State Rep. Mari Manoogian, who is one of 16 "rising stars" the Democratic Party has selected to speak.
There was a small skirmish leading up to tonight's event, WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reported, as Gov. Whitmer requested to give her speech in front of GM's headquarters. The automaker declined.
"We're not getting involved in political partisan politics," Skubick reported of GM's decision.
But the show will go on. The 27-year old Manoogian was elected two years ago and is the youngest state lawmaker in the Legislature. The theme of tonight's speeches is "We The People."
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The keynote address will kick off primetime programming on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. EST.
“I am honored to deliver this year’s Democratic National Convention keynote address alongside 16 other inspiring leaders from around the country. Together, we will represent a new generation of Democratic leadership to voters nationwide, proving the importance that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris put on building up a strong, vibrant, and inclusive Democratic Party,” state Representative Mari Manoogian said in a press release. “In this critical moment, I’m proud to speak to Americans alongside leaders in our party to prove that Democrats nationwide have the strength, decency, and empathy necessary to lead our nation forward.”
“So much is on the line this November. Donald Trump has grossly mishandled the pandemic and tens of thousands of Michigan businesses and workers are paying the price,” Manoogian said. “As our vice president, Joe Biden helped save the American auto industry, lowered prescription drug costs for Michigan seniors through the Affordable Care Act, and brought the world’s leaders together to tackle climate change. We have a chance to change the trajectory of our country this fall, and I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure that every Michigander knows why we need to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
In 2018, Manoogian flipped a historically Republican, suburban Metro Detroit state house district from red to blue, winning the district with 56.5% of the vote. She is serving her first term representing the 40th District, which includes Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, and a portion of West Bloomfield Township. She currently serves as Assistant Minority Whip for the House Democrats.
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