Democrats in Washtenaw County are gearing up for Saturday's statewide nominating convention in Detroit, but first they're planning an event of their own in Ann Arbor.

The Washtenaw County Democratic Party is hosting an open house tonight from 6-8 p.m. at its new campaign office at 912 N. Main St., Suite 200.

"We are now 'open for business,'" reads an invitation sent out by Party Chairman Stuart Dowty. "Campaign staffs have already set up shop — Dingell, Schauer, and Organizing for America (OFA) — and phone banking, canvass organizing, and training sessions have already been hosted."

Dowty said all Democratic candidates on the November ballot have been invited to tonight's open house. The party is encouraging members of the public to stop by to see the new digs and meet the candidates.

The office is the second building north of the intersection of Main and Depot streets. There is limited parking behind the building, but party officials say street parking is available around Wheeler Park or in the public lot next to the train depot on Depot Street.

Tonight's open house will be followed by a judicial candidate forum at 8 p.m. at the same location. Three candidates for Michigan Supreme Court will be on hand, including Shelia Johnson, Denise Langford Morris and Deborah Thomas.

Two Supreme Court seats are on the November ballot. Democrats from across the state will convene at Cobo Hall in Detroit on Saturday to select nominees.

The Michigan Democratic Party's LGBT & Allies Caucus has announced it is endorsing Denise Langford Morris and Sheila Johnson.

Chairman Phil Volk said this week the caucus also is supporting state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, as its choice for lieutenant governor. Volk said the party has "an outstanding candidate for governor in Virg Bernero," but he will need a running mate who is "just as outstanding."

Bernero, who faces Republican Rick Snyder in the gubernatorial race, told AnnArbor.com last month that Smith was being considered, though her name has been left out of speculative media reports as of late.

A campaign spokesperson said today that Bernero plans to announce his lieutenant governor choice sometime between Friday and Sunday.

At a special convention earlier this year, the Michigan Democratic Party already endorsed Jocelyn Benson for secretary of state and David Leyton for attorney general. The formal nomination is expected to come Saturday.

Also being voted at Saturday's convention is the nomination of Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor and all state board of education and university boards.

The Michigan Republican Party is holding its nominating convention Saturday at Michigan State University. For more details, visit the party's website.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.