Trail Mix: Endorsements, tension and a debate
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
We're back with our weekly local politics update.
Flood of support: We're seeing a deluge of endorsements come out in the Detroit mayor's race.
- Fred Durhal III has the backing of four mayors, according to a press release: Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel and Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman.
- Solomon Kinloch Jr. nabbed the endorsement of UAW's Region 1 and Region 1A, representing more than 300,000 active and retired union members, including Detroit, but also Huron, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and other areas.
- In another union announcement, SEIU Michigan, with 30,000 members, endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield for mayor.
Don't say debate: Detroit's mayoral candidates are participating in so many forums, it's hard to keep track. Many are advertised as discussions, without the rebuttals we associate with national political debates. BridgeDetroit recently wrote up a summary of what we've learned so far from these.
- Yes, but: A bona fide debate is scheduled for May 29 at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Axios Detroit will be there.
- Plus, expect more forums — including one on public transit June 4.
Tense moment: During a population growth announcement last week, frequent press conference attendee Gary Hunter of The Shot News, who's also running for a City Council at-large seat, asked Mayor Mike Duggan why the city doesn't advertise with "minority papers" to help grow the population.
- Duggan responded that he's "not that interested in self-interested questions," directed him to media services and asked to move on to the next reporter.
- Hunter repeatedly said that it's about the city, not about his own publication, to which Duggan said that "when somebody says it's not about me, we know what it means." Each called the other's actions disrespectful.