Michigan's Democratic Party is Tiring to Undermine Progressive Black Candidates.
In the upcoming special primary election in Michigan's 35th district, Democrats are fighting for control of a seat that will determine Governor Gretchen Whitmer's final months in office. However, instead of supporting qualified progressive candidates, powerful Senate Democrats have been pouring nearly $70,000 into undermining a Democrat - Dr. Pamela Pugh, who has the most community endorsements and raised the most money.
Pugh, a Black Democrat, is running against more moderate candidates backed by powerful party leadership, which seems to believe that sabotaging Black representation will help them win. This strategy is not only cynical but also misguided, as Black voters are increasingly aware of being marginalized in Michigan politics.
Michigan has one of the lowest percentages of Black people holding statewide office, and the trend is unlikely to change if Democrats continue to suppress Black candidates. The outcome of this election could have far-reaching consequences for the state's democracy.
In a shocking turn of events, two promising Democratic candidates - Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie - dropped out of the race without testing their messages or gathering momentum. Party leadership failed to provide them with necessary support, leaving voters without a clear choice in the primary.
This raises questions about whether there is a ceiling on what progressive Black candidates can achieve in Michigan. The outcome could be devastating for working-class families and erode Democratic gains made by Black voters in previous elections.
If Democrats want to win in Michigan, they must do better by supporting qualified Black candidates and voters. The party's actions are not only undermining their own chances but also perpetuating a culture of exclusion that will ultimately harm the state as a whole.
The consequences of this election will be felt beyond the primaries. With fragmentation on the rise, corporate interests may advance "independent" campaigns bankrolled by powerful corporations like DTE and others that have consistently harmed Michigan's working people.
In short, Michigan Democrats must change their approach to building power with Black voters if they hope to win in 2026 and beyond.
In the upcoming special primary election in Michigan's 35th district, Democrats are fighting for control of a seat that will determine Governor Gretchen Whitmer's final months in office. However, instead of supporting qualified progressive candidates, powerful Senate Democrats have been pouring nearly $70,000 into undermining a Democrat - Dr. Pamela Pugh, who has the most community endorsements and raised the most money.
Pugh, a Black Democrat, is running against more moderate candidates backed by powerful party leadership, which seems to believe that sabotaging Black representation will help them win. This strategy is not only cynical but also misguided, as Black voters are increasingly aware of being marginalized in Michigan politics.
Michigan has one of the lowest percentages of Black people holding statewide office, and the trend is unlikely to change if Democrats continue to suppress Black candidates. The outcome of this election could have far-reaching consequences for the state's democracy.
In a shocking turn of events, two promising Democratic candidates - Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie - dropped out of the race without testing their messages or gathering momentum. Party leadership failed to provide them with necessary support, leaving voters without a clear choice in the primary.
This raises questions about whether there is a ceiling on what progressive Black candidates can achieve in Michigan. The outcome could be devastating for working-class families and erode Democratic gains made by Black voters in previous elections.
If Democrats want to win in Michigan, they must do better by supporting qualified Black candidates and voters. The party's actions are not only undermining their own chances but also perpetuating a culture of exclusion that will ultimately harm the state as a whole.
The consequences of this election will be felt beyond the primaries. With fragmentation on the rise, corporate interests may advance "independent" campaigns bankrolled by powerful corporations like DTE and others that have consistently harmed Michigan's working people.
In short, Michigan Democrats must change their approach to building power with Black voters if they hope to win in 2026 and beyond.
! sabotage a black candidate for a seat that could make or break gretchen whitmer's governorship? that's just not right. ppl need to wake up and realize that their lack of diversity is actually hurting them in the long run. michigan deserves better leaders who look like its people 
. And honestly, it's just so frustrating for the voters who deserve better! 
I mean, come on, Michigan Democrats need to step up their game and start supporting those progressive Black candidates if they want to win in 2026 and beyond 
. Can't we all just get along and support each other? 
This whole situation is wild. The more I think about it, the crazier it gets. It seems like party leadership is trying to play both sides - wanting to win elections but not necessarily thinking about what's best for the state or its communities.
This could be a recipe for disaster for Michigan families who need real representation.
The fact that they're pouring money into sabotaging Dr. Pugh while ignoring other qualified candidates is a huge red flag. 
This isn't going to help them in the long run, it's just going to hurt the party and the state as a whole. 
This is so messed up! The party is literally undermining its own chances by not supporting a qualified black candidate 
. I mean, what's the point of even having a primary election if we're just gonna hand-pick a winner instead of letting the people decide? 
That just leaves a void in the primary that no one fills 
. This is exactly why progressive black candidates need support from party leadership - they're the ones who can bring in the votes! 
. I'm all for a good ol' fashioned shake-up in Michigan politics...
. Now, I know Michigan has its own issues, but if Democrats can't get on board with progressive Black candidates, they're going to be left behind 
.
. Otherwise, corporate interests will keep getting ahead of them 
. I hope Democrats in Michigan can learn from this and start doing things right 
.
They're literally trying to take down a qualified progressive black candidate just because she's got community endorsements and raised some cash? That doesn't add up, you know? It's like they think black voters are just gonna magically disappear or something... Newsflash: we can see right through that. And what's with the party leadership dropping out of the race without even giving it a shot? 
. And now that two other good candidates dropped out, I'm worried that the party is setting itself up to lose the whole thing.
. It's not like being progressive or black is going to hurt their chances - if anything, it could help them win over more voters! 
. It's not like we're asking for much, just a fair shot at running our own party.
especially since black voters are gettin' wise to bein marginalized in politics. we need more people in power who look like us, you feel? 
.
. If Democrats want to win in Michigan, they must prioritize building power with Black voters and move beyond the status quo 
. Otherwise, corporate interests will continue to advance "independent" campaigns that harm working-class families and erode Democratic gains made by Black voters in previous elections 
.
This is so frustrating... I mean, what's the point of even having a Democratic Party if they're just gonna undermine their own progressive Black candidates? 
And btw, Lt. Governor Gilchrist and Deputy Secretary Edevbie dropping out without even trying... that's just a waste of resources. 
The party needs to get its act together and start taking Black voters seriously. Otherwise, it's gonna be more of the same old thing - corporate interests getting in the way of progress. 
When you spend $70k to tank someone's campaign... 
Michigan Democrats need to step up their game, or they'll get left in the dust! 
When corporations bankroll "independent" campaigns...