Unannounced mayoral candidate Benny Napoleon this week said “It’s our Detroit, and we’re going to keep it for Detroiters," even though the lion's share of his campaign contributions have come from the suburbs.
Steve Neavling of the Motor City Muckraker did an analysis of Napoleon's campaign contributions over the past year as Wayne County sheriff and found about 90 percent came from outside Detroit. Napoleon made the comment about Detroit earlier this week and also stirred up some controversy when he said "Palmer Woods is not Detroit." He just launched an exploratory committee for the Detroit mayoral race.
Neavling wrote of the campaign contributions in the past year:
More than 60 wealthy movers and shakers from the suburbs in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties contributed at least $1,000. On Oct. 9, Napoleon held a fundraiser at the posh Shenandoah Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, where seats were dominated by Oakland County realtors and developers.
His biggest supporters? Ten executives from Trenton-based Fritz Enterprises, a large scrapping operation with facilities in Taylor, Detroit and other cities. The executives donated a combined $11,000. Even Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun chipped in $2,500 last year.
