Democrat Party's Alleged Disregard for Black Progressives in Michigan
A special primary election in Michigan's 35th district is set to take place on Tuesday, with the outcome potentially shaping Governor Gretchen Whitmer's final months in office. However, what's particularly noteworthy here is not the candidates themselves but rather the party machinery behind them.
According to new reports, committees linked to influential Michigan Senate Democrats have invested nearly $70,000 in supporting a moderate Democrat over a more progressive Black candidate, Dr. Pamela Pugh. Despite her impressive community endorsements and fundraising prowess, powerful Democrats have instead opted to back the less popular yet more palatable option. This move has raised eyebrows among observers.
This isn't an isolated incident; since the beginning of 2026, two promising Democratic candidates for statewide office have dropped out of the race, including Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. Both had strong qualifications and were poised to win. Their decision to exit the campaign raises questions about what might be driving this behavior.
As a critical factor is that both candidates are Black, which has long been an underrepresented demographic in Michigan politics. It's worth noting that Black voters make up only 14% of the electorate yet have historically struggled for representation at the state level, with only four Black individuals having ever held statewide office.
While it might seem like a typical aspect of campaign dynamics – candidates sometimes dropping out due to polling numbers or internal party pressure – this particular situation appears to be more calculated. Michigan Democratic Party leadership has shown a consistent pattern of undermining Black leadership in favor of expediency, often at the expense of representation and diversity.
The author, James Johnson, a political director at Detroit Action, notes that this type of behavior won't go unnoticed by voters, who will notice when corporate interests like DTE bankroll an "independent" campaign in 2026. The consequence of such tactics could lead to a splintered vote in the general election, undermining hard-won Democratic gains and erasing progress made by Black candidates.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the need for Democrat Party leadership to prioritize diversity and representation over internal party politics. If Democrats want to win in Michigan – and beyond – they must do better by supporting Black candidates and voters as a day-to-day priority, not just on Election Day.
A special primary election in Michigan's 35th district is set to take place on Tuesday, with the outcome potentially shaping Governor Gretchen Whitmer's final months in office. However, what's particularly noteworthy here is not the candidates themselves but rather the party machinery behind them.
According to new reports, committees linked to influential Michigan Senate Democrats have invested nearly $70,000 in supporting a moderate Democrat over a more progressive Black candidate, Dr. Pamela Pugh. Despite her impressive community endorsements and fundraising prowess, powerful Democrats have instead opted to back the less popular yet more palatable option. This move has raised eyebrows among observers.
This isn't an isolated incident; since the beginning of 2026, two promising Democratic candidates for statewide office have dropped out of the race, including Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. Both had strong qualifications and were poised to win. Their decision to exit the campaign raises questions about what might be driving this behavior.
As a critical factor is that both candidates are Black, which has long been an underrepresented demographic in Michigan politics. It's worth noting that Black voters make up only 14% of the electorate yet have historically struggled for representation at the state level, with only four Black individuals having ever held statewide office.
While it might seem like a typical aspect of campaign dynamics – candidates sometimes dropping out due to polling numbers or internal party pressure – this particular situation appears to be more calculated. Michigan Democratic Party leadership has shown a consistent pattern of undermining Black leadership in favor of expediency, often at the expense of representation and diversity.
The author, James Johnson, a political director at Detroit Action, notes that this type of behavior won't go unnoticed by voters, who will notice when corporate interests like DTE bankroll an "independent" campaign in 2026. The consequence of such tactics could lead to a splintered vote in the general election, undermining hard-won Democratic gains and erasing progress made by Black candidates.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the need for Democrat Party leadership to prioritize diversity and representation over internal party politics. If Democrats want to win in Michigan – and beyond – they must do better by supporting Black candidates and voters as a day-to-day priority, not just on Election Day.
I mean, come on, you put 70k into backing a candidate who's not gonna win? That just doesn't add up. And what's with the pattern of undermining Black leadership? It's like they're trying to hold us back. This is exactly why we need more diversity and representation in the party - it's not optional anymore, it's a requirement. 
! They're more worried about winning than about making progress with underrepresented groups like BLM 
. It's time for party leaders to step up and support Black candidates who are truly passionate about the community 
, not just throw 'em under the bus when it's convenient 
. We need real change, not just empty promises 
! Michigan voters deserve better than a party that prioritizes corporate interests over people 
. It's time to hold leaders accountable and demand diversity and representation in every aspect of politics 
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to try and understand this situation... 
. They're backing moderate candidates over more progressive Black ones, which raises questions about what's driving this behavior 
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, they need to support Black candidates and voters as a day-to-day priority, not just on Election Day 
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