Democrats and Republicans vying for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate and 8th Congressional District seats gathered at the Genesee County jail to pitch themselves to inmates on Thursday, July 11.
The candidate forum is run by the Genesee County Ambassadors F.A.I.R Voting Alliance, a group that aims to resolve "the economic ramifications when Black and Brown communities don't engage in an electoral process.”
This forum is the 8th of its kind, and previous forums hosted candidates from races at all levels, including for mayor, judiciary and city council.
Here is who did and did not attend from each race:
- From the 8th Congressional District race:
- Democrat Pamela Pugh, Republican Mary Draves and Republican Anthony Hudson spoke in person.
- Democratic State Senator Kristen McDonald-Rivet sent a surrogate to speak on her behalf.
- Democrat Matt Collier and Republican Paul Junge did not attend nor did they send a surrogate.
- From the U.S. Senate race:
- Democrat Hill Harper and Republican Sherry O’Donnell attended in person.
- Democratic Congressional Representative Elissa Slotkin sent a surrogate.
- Fellow Republican Senate candidates Justin Amash, Sandy Pensler and Mike Rogers did not attend nor send a surrogate.
The pitches were about 10 minutes in length and included the candidates’ background, why they are in the race and their policy platforms. Each speech, however, had a distinct emphasis on criminal justice issues.
“We have a convicted felon that is running for president of the United States. I support that man 100%," Republican Anthony Hudson said to the crowd of inmates. "But if he can run for president and win, then each and every one of you should be able to come out of here without that box on your application."
Democrat Pamela Pugh told the crowd, "taxpayers spend five times more on criminal justice prisoners then they do on children. That is why I have continued to fight for equitable funding, so that we are not promoting school-to-prison pipeline.”
A pseudo-straw poll occurred after each group of candidates spoke. The host re-introduced each candidate, and inmates applauded at varying levels, showing their support or disinterest.
Pamela Pugh gathered many loud claps after telling a story about encouraging constituents to sue her as the head of the State Board of Education in a fight for the right to literacy.
Inmates seemed less enthused by the surrogates, who were reading prepared statements from the candidates who could not attend.
During the speech by Slotkin’s surrogate Levi Todd, the crowd shouted “why?” when Todd said Slotkin could not make it.
Actor Hill Harper gathered the most cheers after his talk about poverty and opportunity while holding and promoting his own book.
After the speeches, inmates were allowed to talk with candidates for a few minutes.
Hill gathered the largest crowd, handing out his autograph on flyers supporting his candidacy. Others were smaller in size, with some candidates being able to talk to inmates individually.
Michigan’s laws allow inmates in jail to vote if they are not sentenced yet. People cannot vote while in prison but can once they are released from their sentence. Convicted felons, probationers and parolees can vote when out in the community.
Percy Glover, the president of the F.A.I.R Alliance, said it is hard to comment on the turnout rates of incarcerated individuals, but he predicts, “60-70% of the jailed residents will vote in the next two elections.”
Michigan’s primary elections will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
