Michigan Secretary of State candidate Suzanna Shkreli (standing) made a handful of stops in the Upper Peninsula recently, including Escanaba, where she met with members of the Delta County Democratic Party (Delta Dems). Shkreli had a discussion with (from left to right) Fran Majestic, Walter Jourdain, Yvette Eagle and John McMahon over breakfast at Drifters. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Ahead of the Michigan Democratic Party’s 2026 Endorsement Convention, which will be held in Detroit this weekend, Secretary of State candidate Suzanna Shkreli visited the Upper Peninsula for the third time during her campaign.

A number of hopefuls — five Democrats and four Republicans — entered this year’s race for Michigan Secretary of State, a position currently held by Democrat Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor.

Shkreli, who has a legal background, has been engaging in dialogue with local Democratic groups — including the Delta Dems, with whom she shared breakfast at Drifters on Tuesday and spoke about voting processes, driver’s education and tribal liasons.

Shkreli served as a Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor, Deputy Legal Counsel in Governor Whitmer’s administration, Michigan’s Child Advocate, Director of Juvenile Justice Reform and Commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery. She’s the daughter of immigrants and says she learned hard work and grit by working in a family restaurant and playing hockey.

Spring is the time of year when party leaders select forerunners. On March 28, the Michigan Republican Party held their endorsement convention in Novi. Anthony Forlini, Monica Yatooma, Manada Love and Timothy Smith had all been running for Secretary of State. Forlini, currently Macomb County clerk, emerged as the endorsed Republican for the role, but it won’t be until August that he is formally nominated.

At the same event, Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd won the Republican endorsement for Michigan attorney general.

The Democratic convention, scheduled for Sunday, will ask party representatives to choose between Shkreli, Barbara Byrum, Aghogho Edevbie, Garlin Gilchrist II and Adam Hollier for Secretary of State.

Said convention will feature various caucuses and will endorse candidates for attorney general as well as for the State Supreme Court and other boards.