Opinion: Does the Democratic Party want Michigan’s Black progressives to win? - Detroit Metro Times

Michigan's Democratic Party has once again demonstrated its willingness to sacrifice the interests of Black voters for the sake of expediency. The recent special primary election in Michigan's 35th district is a prime example of this phenomenon, where powerful Democrats funneled nearly $70,000 into undermining a progressive Black Democrat's campaign, despite that candidate having the most community endorsements and raised the most money.

Dr. Pamela Pugh, the target of this partisan attack, was running a skillful campaign that showcased her qualifications and message to voters. However, instead of supporting her bid for office, Democratic Party leadership opted to back a more moderate candidate, effectively cutting off Pugh's path to victory. This move is not only undemocratic but also dismissive of the growing importance of Black voters in Michigan politics.

This pattern of behavior is not new to the Michigan Democratic Party. Over the past few years, we've witnessed two promising Democratic candidates for statewide office drop out of the race before the primary even began. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie both exited their respective campaigns without testing their messages or building support among voters.

It's crucial to acknowledge that these actions are not driven by a desire to win, but rather by a cynical assumption that Black voters are too unlikely to elect someone with a unique name to higher office. This is a misguided and racist notion that ignores the growing strength and influence of Black voters in Michigan politics.

The consequences of this partisan behavior will be far-reaching. By clearing the gubernatorial field before voters even had a chance to weigh in, Democratic leadership has left Black voters and all voters without an opportunity to choose their preferred candidate. This will result in a splintered vote that threatens to undermine hard-won Democratic gains and erase the progress made by the very people who delivered those victories.

It's time for the Michigan Democratic Party to take responsibility for its actions and recognize the value of Black representation in higher office. The less puppeteering they do, the better. Democrats must prioritize building power with Black candidates and voters, rather than acting as if the Black vote only matters on Election Day.

As a seasoned political strategist, I can attest that Black voters notice when their interests are being ignored or manipulated by party leadership. We saw this play out in 2021, when Democrats backed a redistricting plan that left Black voters with diminished representation. We noticed it in 2022, when fewer Black State Senators won their races. And we're witnessing it again now, as Republicans run five Black candidates for higher office.

The Michigan Democratic Party must take heed of these lessons and work to build a more inclusive and equitable party that truly represents the diverse needs and interests of its voters. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the very people they're supposed to serve.

This latest move by the Michigan Demos is just another example of how they think they can control the narrative . It's like they really believe that if they undermine one candidate, it'll make their chosen one look better by comparison. Newsflash: it doesn't work that way! The people see right through it, and we're not buying what you're selling .

I've been around politics long enough to know when parties are more interested in maintaining power than serving the people. And let me tell you, this move is just a symptom of a bigger problem – their lack of trust in Black voters . It's time for them to take responsibility and recognize that we're not just some demographic to be played with.

By the way, what's with all these moderate candidates? Can't they see that's exactly what we need less of in politics - more of the same old bland, uninspired folks who'll just keep on trucking down the status quo highway . We deserve better, and so do our communities!

The latest drama from the Michigan Dem Party is just another example of how out of touch they are with their own base . I mean, come on, nearly $70k to take down a progressive Black candidate? That's just ridiculous. And let's be real, who needs all that money when you've got community endorsements and grassroots support on your side?

It's not like they're trying to help anything other than themselves. This is just another case of party leaders playing the game of politics with people's lives . And don't even get me started on the racist undertones here - it's like they think Black voters are only important when they're voting against someone, not for someone .

What's really sad is that this is just going to lead to more of the same old thing: a splintered vote and less representation for Black voters in Michigan . It's like they're trying to undermine their own progress instead of building on it. We need Democrats to step up their game and prioritize building power with Black candidates and voters, not just playing politics as usual .

Can we please just have a party that actually represents its base for once?

I just got done watching this super intense video on YouTube about cats playing the piano and I'm still trying to process it all lol. So I was reading about this Michigan thing with the Democratic Party and Black voters... what's going on? It sounds like they're not doing a good job of supporting their own people. That doesn't seem right at all . And now I'm worried that this is going to affect the whole election and it's just not fair . What do you think happens next?

Partisan politics is just a fancy word for "being lazy"

What's going on with the Michigan Democratic Party? They literally just sacrificed a progressive Black Democrat's chance at office for the sake of expediency. $70k and all those community endorsements gone down the drain because party leadership didn't want a Black candidate to win. Newsflash: Black voters are NOT some mythical entity that only cares about voting on Election Day . We're not naive, we're not easily swayed, and we won't be ignored or manipulated by party leaders.

It's time for them to stop being so cynical and racist (I mean, who is assuming Black voters are too "unique" to win? ). They need to prioritize building power with Black candidates and voters, rather than playing puppet masters behind the scenes. The consequences of this partisan behavior will be far-reaching and devastating for Democrats.

Michigan Democratic Party: get your act together and start representing Black voters' interests . It's time to stop the party-puppeteering and start serving the people who voted for you in the first place

I'm getting really frustrated with the Michigan Dem's actions . They're basically telling Black voters their voices don't matter unless it's an election year. It's like, hello, we're not just voters on election day, we're the backbone of this community! The way they undermined Dr. Pugh's campaign was low, even for them. I mean, $70k is a lot of money, and to use that kind of power to crush someone over their party affiliation? It's just sad . And it's not like Dr. Pugh wasn't qualified or didn't have the message. This whole thing just smells like racism, even if they're trying to cover it up with a veil of expediency. We need to see some real change in the Dem party, not just lip service

Ugh, this is like when my parents used to watch those old sitcoms where the nerdy kid would always get the girl . It's like, come on, Michigan Dems! Can't you see that Dr. Pugh had a solid campaign and the votes were with her? Instead of backing her, you're trying to manipulate the system to fit your own expectations. And let's be real, it's not just about Black voters - it's about democracy in general .

I mean, what's the point of having a party if they can't even get their act together and support the candidates who are actually winning? It's like you're playing politics for the sake of politics, rather than listening to your constituents' needs. That's not how it's supposed to work .

And another thing, what's with this "we don't think Black voters can win" mentality? It's like you guys are stuck in some kind of racist nostalgia . Newsflash: times have changed! Black voters are more powerful than ever, and if you don't get on board, someone else will .

The Michigan Democratic Party needs to step up their game and start listening to their members, especially the ones who are underrepresented. It's time for some real leadership, not just more puppeteering .

OMG u guyz!!!! the Dem Party in Michigan is literally doing this???! they just funneled $$$ into undermining a progressive Black Dem's campaign cuz they thought it was a lost cause lol like what even is that?! Dr Pugh had all the community endorsements and raised so much $$ but did they care? NOPE meanwhile they're gonna make it hard for Black voters to get their voice heard in the next election this is straight outta racist playbook and it's not okay

I'm so over this ! The whole thing with Dr. Pugh and the party leadership is just mind-boggling . They're basically saying that Black voters only matter when it's convenient for them, which is not only shady but also super demotivating . I mean, who wants to vote for a candidate who doesn't have their best interests at heart?

And can we talk about the whole "unique name" thing? Like, does that even matter anymore? It's just lazy party politics if you ask me . They're essentially assuming that Black voters won't elect someone with a strong name to office because of their own biases and prejudices. That's just unacceptable .

The impact on the electoral field is going to be huge , and not in a good way . It's like they're playing politics as usual, but this time it's Black voters who are getting hurt . The party needs to step up their game and prioritize building power with Black candidates and voters. Anything less would be a slap in the face .