A roster of Democratic candidates in Michigan was boosted over the weekend after the party’s endorsement convention, an unusual feature of the state’s political process. 

The Michigan Democratic Party held its endorsement convention on Sunday, spelling good tidings for mostly progressive candidates, weeks after Republicans held their own on March 28. Known for its role in one of the first stages of the campaign process, the convention is viewed as a key avenue for candidates to gain traction by garnering support from thousands of stakeholders.