OOPS, CAMPAIGN STUMBLES

We wish we could say politicians never make an error or put their foot in their mouths, but then we’d probably have to change the definition of ‘politician.’ Lately, two candidates competing for the Democratic primary U.S. Senate nod have been taking turns making cringeworthy errors. First, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Oakland County) – or her campaign apparatus – erroneously claimed in a social media post that she had won the endorsement of Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford. However – she hadn’t. The endorsement claim was quickly removed, but Pitchford decided to capitalize on his newfound fame, posting a message on X that he’d never communicated with Stevens’ team about an endorsement, or anything. Stevens’ campaign spokeswoman, Reeves Oyster – who is often difficult to communicate with – told The Detroit News, “There was a miscommunication.” Pitchford told The News he had been in contact with both of Stevens’ competitors campaigns, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham, Detroit) and former Wayne County Health official Abdul El-Sayed, ultimately rewarding McMorrow with his formal backing. “We need someone who understands the moment: humanity, the grit, and the need for longer term relationship building with local elected officials and community leaders. Mallory McMorrow is that leader,” Pitchford said in a statement. In another foot-in-mouth moment (or just a lack of a proper history lesson?), Stevens, in announcing a new bill to prevent the use of the military or national guard by President Trump, said, “Mike Rogers just called to deploy the National Guard to Detroit. Was wrong in ‘67 and it’s wrong now.” Those of us with a few strands of gray in our hair have to school the young ‘uns. During 1967 Detroit Riot, or Rebellion as it is known now to some, was not just an increase in day-to-day civil crime but resulted in 43 deaths, 1,189 injured, over 7,200 arrests, and more than 400 buildings destroyed. A tad different than what Trump claims he is dealing with today. Michigan Gov. George Romney ordered the Michigan National Guard into Detroit, and President Lyndon Johnson sent in the U.S. Army’s 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions. But McMorrow’s hands are not untarnished. While part of her state senate district encompasses northwest Detroit, there have been complaints, highlighted by former state Representative and current Detroit School Board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo who told Fox-2 News McMorrow has “pretty much been AWOL in representing her part of the city of Detroit as a Senate member for Michigan,” after it was revealed that the campaign’s strategy to reach out to Blacks was through “rappers and influencers.” Fox-2 said that “some in the Black community were upset, saying there needs to be a more authentic approach to reaching out to Black voters.” McMorrow responded by saying she would do better.

Haley Stevens

Mallory McMorrow