Mark Schauer In Ann Arbor

On the eve of Tuesday's election, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer rallied local Democrats in Ann Arbor, delivering his final pre-election speech before a large crowd on the University of Michigan campus. "We stand here at the doorstep of changing the direction of our state," Schauer said, addressing a mix of college students, local community members and elected officials gathered inside Annenberg Auditorium. Before the rally, Schauer visited downtown Ann Arbor businesses, including Old Town Tavern, Sweetwaters and Frita Batidos, chatting it up with patrons and employees. Read the story.

Four For Four

From left to right, Democrats David Rutledge, Gretchen Driskell, Adam Zemke and Jeff Irwin will represent Washtenaw County in the Michigan House of Representatives for the next two years. For the past two years, Washtenaw County had two Republican and two Democratic representatives in the House but Rick Olson and Mark Ouimet are on their way out. Read my Q&A with Irwin, D-Ann Arbor.

Dems Unite

An energetic crowd of Democrats rallied Monday night on Election Eve at the Ford School at the University of Michigan. Go here for a slideshow with captions.

Sending Out An S.O.S.

Michigan secretary of state candidate Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, called on University of Michigan students Thursday night to help get her campaign message out to voters. Benson is down in the polls, but popular among young voters. "The real secret weapon of our campaign is all of you," she told the crowd. "Just like in 2008 when your generation elected a president, in 2010 you will have an opportunity to ensure that the next generation of leadership in Michigan is one that can directly help you." Read the story here.



For good measure, here's another photo I shot of Jocelyn Benson and state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, back in April at the Michigan Democratic Party Endorsement Convention in Detroit. That was the day she earned her party's endorsement and subsequently secured the nomination in August to run for the open seat.

Michigan Democratic Party Endorsement Convention

The Michigan Democratic Party today held a first-of-its-kind endorsement convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit. I was there as a journalist, but not covering the event. Instead, I was shadowing state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, who is running for governor of Michigan. I'm writing an in-depth candidate profile on Smith, who lives just outside Ann Arbor, leading up to the election. Until then, here are some sights from today.