WATCH YOUR BACK
Rashida Tlaib isn’t the only Democratic congressperson facing headwinds. It seems first term U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-most of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, and part of Downriver and western Wayne County communities) enjoys campaigning, especially appearing in TV, ads, but not so much legislating. That’s according to reports from his former communications director Adam Abusalah. In a social media post, he said, “In my first meeting with Shri and another staffer (who also quit) he said ‘I don’t care about policies or legislation right now. I just need you to focus on my re-election.’” By law, office and campaign staff and work can’t mix. Abusalah also claimed that Thanedar was obsessed with the number of social media followers he had rather than helping constituents, and many have turned to Tlaib for assistance. According to Legistorm, Thanedar has the highest staff turnover of the Michigan delegation and the 14th highest staff turnover in Congress. Thanedar may turn out to be a one-term wonder if former state Senator Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) gets his wish. He has announced he will run against Thanedar in 2024, in a 2022 rematch. In 2022, following redistricting and the retirement of former Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) there were nine primary candidates, notably from the Black community, which many analysts felt split the African American vote, and Hollier came in second to Thanedar. Hollier is an Army Reserve Captain and since January, has served as director of Gov. Whitmer’s Michigan Veteran Affair’s Agency. Lawrence has already endorsed Hollier, along with a host of other notables, including former Gov. Jim Blanchard, state Senator Mallory McMorrow, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.
Comments