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News & Perspectives

Recent work and commentary.

June 12, 2026

Podcast: Michigan Primary Voters Could Pick Nominees for Secretary of State and Attorney General

Lon joined WDET's MichMash Politics podcast with Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben to explain why he supports moving statewide nominations from party conventions to open primary elections — giving Michigan voters a direct say in who appears on the November ballot.

WDET · MichMash Politics ↗
June 16, 2026

Johnson Calls on Michigan Democrats to Review Party Members Charged in U of M Threat Case

As former Michigan Democratic Party chairman, Lon Johnson called on current party leadership to review five members accused of orchestrating threats against University of Michigan officials over the school's ties to Israel — saying the party's commitment to opposing harassment must be applied consistently.

Detroit News ↗
May 24, 2026

Panelist on WDIV Flashpoint: Election Changes & the Cost of War in Iran

Lon joined former Michigan GOP Executive Director Jason Roe on Detroit's premier political affairs program to discuss proposed election reforms — and weighed in on the economic and geopolitical consequences of the U.S. conflict with Iran.

WDIV · Flashpoint ↗
May 15, 2026

Featured Guest on PBS Off the Record with Tim Skubick

Lon joined senior capitol correspondent Tim Skubick on Michigan's longest-running political program to discuss his effort to let Michigan voters — not party delegates — select candidates for statewide offices including attorney general and secretary of state.

PBS · Off the Record ↗
April 22, 2026

Bipartisan Push to Replace Michigan Nominating Conventions with Primary Elections

Lon Johnson joined former Michigan GOP Executive Director Jason Roe to call for eliminating party nominating conventions, arguing that races for attorney general, secretary of state, and other statewide offices should be decided by all Michigan voters in primary elections — not a few thousand party delegates.

Bridge Michigan ↗
July 5, 2024

Live Interview on CNN News Central: Biden Should Step Aside

Lon appeared live on CNN with anchors Boris Sanchez and Pamela Brown, making the case that President Biden's debate performance reflected a broader pattern of cognitive decline — and that the party needed a candidate capable of campaigning vigorously through November.

CNN News Central ↗
July 2024

Lon Johnson Calls on President Biden to Withdraw from the 2024 Race

In a widely covered statement, Lon called on President Biden to withdraw his candidacy, saying the president was suffering from cognitive decline and that the party should allow convention delegates to choose a new standard-bearer heading into November.

WLNS 6 News ↗
November 8, 2018

Quoted in The New York Times on Gretchen Whitmer's Michigan Governor Victory

Lon was cited in The New York Times' election night coverage of Gretchen Whitmer's win in the Michigan gubernatorial race, offering perspective on what her victory meant for the state's Democratic Party and the road ahead.

The New York Times ↗