Griffin Forum features Democracy Defense Project

Former Lieutenant Governor John Cherry and former State Attorney General Bill Schuette shared information about the Democracy Defense Project, a bipartisan effort to rebuild confidence in our nation’s electoral process, during the Griffin Forum April 14 at Central Michigan University. Joining the panel were County Clerks Abe Dane and Domonique Clemons. Former U.S. Representative Dan Kildee, CMU's Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, served as the forum moderator.

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.

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). 

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 Dane has continued his focus of supporting rural municipal clerks and increasing voter trust in Michigan’s unique elections. 

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, Clemons holds a public policy degree from Michigan State University, as well as a  master’s degree in political management from George Washington University.

The Griffin Forums are sponsored by the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government within the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service with support from the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics at Central Michigan University.