Michigan's Democratic Party May Be Undermining Black Progressives in Elections
The upcoming special primary election in Michigan's 35th district is set to determine the fate of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's final months in office, with powerful Democrats pouring nearly $70,000 into the race to undermine a progressive Black Democrat. Dr. Pamela Pugh, a highly skilled campaigner, has garnered significant community endorsements and raised substantial funds, yet party leadership opted to back a more moderate candidate to run against her.
This is not an isolated incident; two promising Democratic candidates for statewide office have already dropped out of the race. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II exited his gubernatorial campaign to run for Secretary of State, while Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie quit the race soon after. Both candidates were highly qualified progressive leaders with a credible path to victory and held a unique position as Black candidates in a state where only four Black people have ever held statewide office.
The decision by party leadership to eliminate these viable candidates raises questions about whether there is a ceiling on what progressive Black candidates can achieve in Michigan. A pattern of undermining Black representation in higher office has been consistently demonstrated by the Democratic Party, which appears to prioritize short-term gains over long-term progress and Black voter power.
Michigan's electorate is predominantly white, with Black voters making up only 14% of the population. However, their influence on politics cannot be underestimated. When Democrats fail to support Black candidates, it sends a message that their voices do not matter. This can lead to fragmentation among voters, as seen in the current gubernatorial election, where former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running an "independent" campaign bankrolled by corporate interests.
The Democratic Party's actions have significant consequences for Michigan's politics and its people. By clearing the primary field before voters had a chance to weigh in on their preferred candidate, party leaders have left Black voters and all voters without the opportunity to choose their preferred option. This splintered vote threatens to undermine hard-won Democratic gains and erase progress made by Black voters.
The author of this opinion piece urges the Democratic Party to reassess its approach to supporting Black candidates. The less puppeteering and more grassroots support, the better. In 2020, Black voters delivered a crucial margin that secured the presidency for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. However, the party often neglects to prioritize Black voter power on a day-to-day basis.
To win in Michigan, the Democratic Party needs to do better by supporting Black candidates and voters. By doing so, they can build a more inclusive and representative party that truly represents the interests of all its members.
The upcoming special primary election in Michigan's 35th district is set to determine the fate of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's final months in office, with powerful Democrats pouring nearly $70,000 into the race to undermine a progressive Black Democrat. Dr. Pamela Pugh, a highly skilled campaigner, has garnered significant community endorsements and raised substantial funds, yet party leadership opted to back a more moderate candidate to run against her.
This is not an isolated incident; two promising Democratic candidates for statewide office have already dropped out of the race. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II exited his gubernatorial campaign to run for Secretary of State, while Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie quit the race soon after. Both candidates were highly qualified progressive leaders with a credible path to victory and held a unique position as Black candidates in a state where only four Black people have ever held statewide office.
The decision by party leadership to eliminate these viable candidates raises questions about whether there is a ceiling on what progressive Black candidates can achieve in Michigan. A pattern of undermining Black representation in higher office has been consistently demonstrated by the Democratic Party, which appears to prioritize short-term gains over long-term progress and Black voter power.
Michigan's electorate is predominantly white, with Black voters making up only 14% of the population. However, their influence on politics cannot be underestimated. When Democrats fail to support Black candidates, it sends a message that their voices do not matter. This can lead to fragmentation among voters, as seen in the current gubernatorial election, where former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running an "independent" campaign bankrolled by corporate interests.
The Democratic Party's actions have significant consequences for Michigan's politics and its people. By clearing the primary field before voters had a chance to weigh in on their preferred candidate, party leaders have left Black voters and all voters without the opportunity to choose their preferred option. This splintered vote threatens to undermine hard-won Democratic gains and erase progress made by Black voters.
The author of this opinion piece urges the Democratic Party to reassess its approach to supporting Black candidates. The less puppeteering and more grassroots support, the better. In 2020, Black voters delivered a crucial margin that secured the presidency for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. However, the party often neglects to prioritize Black voter power on a day-to-day basis.
To win in Michigan, the Democratic Party needs to do better by supporting Black candidates and voters. By doing so, they can build a more inclusive and representative party that truly represents the interests of all its members.
So, like, I'm thinking... if the party is trying to undermine black progressives in elections it's kinda like 
stopping someone from voting 
... it doesn't make sense! 
They're basically saying that only certain people are worthy of a spot in the party 
. Newsflash: 
everyone deserves an equal say!
"what about me?" and just leave them high and dry 
? It's kinda harsh! The party needs to work on building up the grassroots support 
, not playing puppeteer 
. After all, it was those same black voters in 2020 who helped secure the presidency 
... they deserve our recognition and respect 
!
. They're literally undermining Black progressives who are trying to make a difference in their state. It's like, you'd think they'd want to support people who are gonna help them win more votes and be more inclusive. But noooo, instead they're backing more moderate candidates just to mess with Pugh's chances 
. They need to focus on supporting their own people instead of playing games and sabotaging each other. It's gonna hurt them in the long run if they don't start doing things right 
. They need to start putting their money where their mouth is and supporting Black candidates who can bring real change 
.
. I mean, come on, Black voters are a growing force in Michigan and if the party can't support them, then what's the point? 
They need to change their approach, focus more on grassroots support rather than trying to control who wins 
.
. The Dem party's actions in MI are like, totally undermining their own progress on diversity & inclusion 
. This is gonna hurt them in the long run & also affect other underrepresented groups like latinos & indians... we can't just keep ignoring these communities, ppl! 
i mean what even is the point of having a democrats if not to represent the people, especially when those people are most marginalized? 
. And what about all those other qualified candidates who got shut down like that? It's like, we're still trying to make progress on representation, but then the party goes and stops us in our tracks