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Editorial by Mayor Sheldon Neeley
For many years, Michigan led the nation with strong, qualified Black Democrats filling critical roles in Congress. Today, the only Black person representing Michigan in Congress is a Republican. Redistricting of state house and senate seats in 2021 resulted in less Black officials representing the Detroit area in the state legislature and caused ongoing litigation in violation of the Voting Rights Act. These developments should serve as a wakeup call to all Democrats. Instead, it increasingly appears as though some in the party are choosing to ignore these glaring warning signs that the Black electorate is being ignored and disrespected.
It seems a glass ceiling has resurfaced to block experienced and well-qualified Black Democratic candidates from reaching elected office at the federal level. This translates to Black voters feeling taken for granted and ignored by the Democratic party. At this critical juncture in our country’s political trajectory, far too many qualified Black elected officials are being boxed out of elections for higher office and left wondering whether they still have a place in this “big tent party.”
I am concerned that if we do not address this problem now, experienced Black candidates who currently hold elected office will choose not to pursue higher offices, and future leaders may choose not to pursue political careers at all. This could result in Michigan losing another generation of talented leaders who can build bridges across race, authentically represent their communities, and help identify the innovative solutions needed to address the most pressing issues of our time.
Several months ago, when the 8th Congressional District’s Representative announced his retirement after more than a decade of service, it seemed like an opportunity for all qualified candidates to seek to represent our district. Multiple qualified Black elected officials publicly expressed interest in campaigning for the seat. However, the deck has been stacked from the start. In the past, Democrats have allowed primaries to play out among multiple white candidates without explicitly supporting one or the other—allowing the voters to decide without tipping the scale. This time, it looks different. It appears that there is a double-standard in the Michigan Democratic Party as it relates to Black versus white.
We are witnessing Democratic insiders with party support influencing the primary election while excluding Black communities from the decision-making process. Black elected officials who represent Black and majority-minority communities were not consulted. Of Michigan’s Black elected leaders at the municipal level, I lead the largest constituency as Mayor of Flint, which is also the largest city in the 8th Congressional District. Saginaw is the second largest city in the district, also a majority-minority community represented by another strong Black mayor, Brenda Moore. Yet we were not consulted by party insiders regarding who might provide effective representation for our communities at the federal level. This is insulting, but we have experienced it before. Democrats have a history of taking Black leaders and communities for granted. Many would say that not much has changed in terms of the disrespect and arrogance toward the Black electorate.
The incumbency of race still stands strong throughout our country. Candidates of color should not be discounted by Democratic party insiders before they have even begun, especially when many districts have large minority populations. The failure to consider people of color as serious candidates takes for granted the voters in the communities they would represent—voters who the Democratic Party cannot win without. Those who wield power in the Michigan Democratic Party must be mindful that they do not alienate or discount the viability of qualified and experienced Black candidates by assuming they have no chance of winning on a larger stage.
New Gallup polling shows that Black support for the Democratic Party is at an all-time low. This is a deeply concerning trend. Could the lack of Black representation at the federal level be at play here, especially in a battleground state like Michigan? I believe having equitable representation at the table could only increase the odds of keeping Michigan Blue.
As the former Michigan Legislative Black Caucus Chair and the current Black Mayors of Michigan Co-Chair, I believe the party must make room for Black candidates. In a party that believes in fairness and opportunity, we must show that minorities are seen as viable candidates to help further the cause. This can be achieved by giving them the opportunity to expand their network and increase their base of support, and by connecting with other minority candidates so they have the ability to fundraise. If we do this, I am certain that working class Democrats and Independents will be more engaged in the voting process.
If we keep doing what we are doing, we risk losing the support of talented elected leaders of color, and soon, the voters who supported them. The Democratic Party must not squander the trust of loyal Black voters and the candidates they trust to represent them.
