Let’s hope he appeals this ruling…..
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier was informed by Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett’s office on May 21 that he would be left off the ballot in an attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar. The announcement will make it the second year in a row that the Motor City will be without Black representation in Congress.
The Michigan Secretary of State’s office appealed the ruling as the decision is a major plus for Thanedar’s reelection campaign. Hollier drew support from faith leaders and high-profile Michigan Democrats, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. In a rare move, even leaders from the Congressional Black Caucus endorsed Hollier over Thanedar. Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond said the ruling is causing some “heartburn” for blue voters in Detroit. “There’s some heartburn amongst Black Detroiters that they don’t have representation in Congress but also amongst Democrats in general,” Hemond said.
“If you want to be able to keep ginning up Black Detroiters to vote, having some representation in the Congress is important.”
After the letter was sent to Hollier, he released a statement saying he was “extremely disappointed.” “I am extremely disappointed with the news from the Wayne County clerk following her thorough and professional review of our petitions ― not for myself, but for the voters across the 13th District who deserve a real choice in who their next Congressperson will be,” Hollier said.
“While I put my trust in someone who let us down in the collection of signatures, ultimately, the leadership of the campaign falls on me, and I must hold myself to a higher standard. It is also clear that our state’s system of ballot access and petition collection is sorely in need of reform — so that future campaigns, as well as the voters of this state, do not fall victim to fraud.”
While Hollier said he will make a decision in the coming days, his campaign can appeal Garrett’s final decision to the office of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson or file with the Wayne County Circuit Court to overturn it.
Source: Black Enterprise
