TRAIN IN DIFFERENT DIRECTION

Not all Democrats are riding the Slotkin train. Former Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-Detroit, Southfield), in a notable departure, announced in early March she was endorsing Elissa Slotkin’s Democratic opponent, actor and author Hill Harper of Detroit. “His commitment to public service and compassionate leadership will provide the inclusive representation the citizens of Michigan need. He will be a dedicated public servant for ALL the people of Michigan,” Lawrence said in a statement. Slotkin said she wasn’t surprised, and isn’t taking it personally, noting Lawrence hadn’t endorsed a successor for her open seat when she retired in 2022, which caused a massive scramble ending with Rep. Shri Thanedar prevailing – and ending Black congressional representation for the first time in over fifty years. Harper has also received endorsements from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, who has been speaking out about the disconnect between Detroit’s large Black population and its lack of representation, Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Notably, the UAW is choosing not to take sides in this fight, noting Slotkin and Harper have both been friends of labor.