DETROIT – After facing perhaps the most overwhelming defeat in the modern history of the Michigan Democratic Party in 2010, the party will undergo a “top to bottom review” of how it does business, newly re-elected Chair Mark Brewer said Saturday.

Brewer won a ninth term as party chair with a unanimous vote of the convention, although some members of the 14th Congressional District shouted opposition to the unanimous vote.

In the end, he was unchallenged because grassroots activist and Detroit television producer Ron Scott, who had mounted a challenge to Mr. Brewer in recent weeks, did not pay $1,000 to be on the ballot – a fee he said he was not aware of despite being a member of the state Democratic Central Committee.

During the certification of the convention results, Scott protested being blocked from consideration by calling for a quorum call to ratify the convention’s vote, but Brewer ruled him out of order. Scott repeatedly yelled “point of order, point of order,” but Brewer repeatedly told him he was out of order and business quickly moved on.

Scott said the process overall was un-democratic.

“If people come to the Democratic Party, they want democracy,” he said.

Brewer said a filing fee, which he paid, is nothing new to the party and that it ensures credible candidates run for party leadership posts.

Former Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson, who came the closest to beating a Republican for statewide office last year, nominated Brewer for re-election.

Benson said she was an active Democrat who wanted to contribute more to the party and Brewer helped her seek the nomination process. She applauded the use of the early endorsement convention, which she said helped set up a strong campaign for secretary of state.

With the convention running 47 minutes over schedule, Brewer’s celebratory remarks were difficult to hear as scores of delegates left the Riverview Ballroom.

Brewer said the party would rededicate itself by doubling outreach efforts, being aggressive in its messaging, investing in new technology and expanding fundraising.

“All of you have a critical role to play. I can’t change and rebuild the Michigan Democratic Party myself,” Brewer said. “Just like Michigan must change, the Democratic Party must change.”

OTHER POSTS: First Vice Chair Tina Abbott, Second Vice Chair Lupe Ramos-Montigny, Third Vice Chair Ismael Ahmed, Secretary Rosa Holliday and Treasurer Ramesh Verma all kept their posts.

Bob King, president of the United Auto Workers, also filled a vacancy as a Democratic National Committeemember. Mr. King filled the DNC vacancy created by Elizabeth Bunn who retired from UAW and resigned from the DNC.

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