Griffin Forum: Democracy Defense Project

Former Lt. Gov. John Cherry and former State Attorney General Bill Schuette will discuss the Democracy Defense Project, a bipartisan effort to rebuild confidence in our nation’s electoral process. Joining the panel are County Clerks Abe Dane and Domonique Clemons. Former U.S. Representative Dan Kildee, CMU's Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, will serve as the forum moderator.

Lt. Governor John Cherry

John Cherry became Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor in 2003 when he was elected along with Governor Jennifer Granholm. Before that he served the people of Michigan for more than 20 years as a State Representative and as State Senator. He was the Senate Democratic Floor Leader for six years and the Senate Democratic Leader for another six years.

Cherry has also served as Chair of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association and as chair of the Great Lakes Commission.

As Lt. Governor, Cherry chaired Michigan’s Higher Education Commission more popularly called The Cherry Commission. The Commission issued a report that has served as guide for the development of Higher Education in Michigan for much of the Twenty First Century.

In 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Cherry to the Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Flint Institute of Science and History which operates the Sloan Museum of Discovery and Longway Planetarium in Flint's Cultural Center.

Attorney General Bill Schuette

Bill Schuette served as the 53rd Attorney General of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. Previously, he served as U.S. Representative (1985-1991), State Agriculture Director (1991-1994), State Senator (1995-2003), and Michigan Court of Appeals Judge (2003-2009). 

County Clerks

Abe Dane has worked in election administration since January 2021 in the County of Hillsdale. He was elected to the position of Hillsdale County Clerk in the November 5, 2024 General Election. Since then Abe has continued his focus of supporting rural municipal clerks and increasing voter trust in Michigan’s unique elections. In his personal life, Abe enjoys spending free time with his wife of 13 years and three children. He is also a Deacon of Children’s Ministries at his local church and a part-time school bus driver.

Domonique Clemons was first appointed Genesee County Clerk & Register of Deeds on Dec 6, 2022, and elected to retain the seat in 2024. As Clerk & Register, Clemons oversees the maintenance, upkeep, and issuance of county vital and property records, as well as serving as the Chief Election administrator of the 5th largest county in the state of Michigan. A Flint native, Domonique holds a public policy degree from Michigan State University, as well as a  master’s degree in political management from George Washington University. Domonique has several years of Government and advocacy experience working in positions in both the state and local levels of government. He is very active in his community and currently serves on several community and non-profit boards and commissions.