University of Michigan Board of Regents Democratic candidates: Denise Illitch (R), Huwaida Arraf (C) and Shauna Ryder Diggs (L) Courtesy photos. As the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) gets set to hold its convention this weekend in Lansing, trying to build on the unity coming out of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, one candidate is drawing attention for her stance on an issue that remains divisive within the Democratic coalition: the ongoing war being waged by Israel against Hamas in Gaza.