Garlin Gilchrist II
Garlin Gilchrist II (University of Michigan photo)
Detroit News columnist Bankole Thompson raises questions about gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer's pick for lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist II, an African American and former head of innovation and technology for Detroit:
A candidate with no elected leadership experience to be trusted with the well-being of millions of Michiganders in all objectivity remains a risky bet.
Even inside the Democratic Party, some will support the ticket only because Bill Schuette, the Republican nominee, is not an option. They see Schuette, a strong Trump supporter, as a frightening choice because of his seeming embrace of what they believe to be anti-black, anti-poor policies of the Trump era.
But for Democrats, will this ticket be so exciting to drive up massive black voter turnout in Detroit and other urban centers?
He questions why Whitmer made the announcement about Gilcrest in Lansing, rather Gilchrist's hometown of Detroit and adds:
The issue looming large over this selection is whether it was done simply to appease the voices crying for diversity in the party and to pacify black voters at all costs because they will have to vote for a Democrat anyway. They have nowhere to go, especially after Schuette has proven not to be an ally to black issues like affirmative action, the Affordable Care Act, redistricting that has longstanding racial implications and other crucial matters.
Whitmer made this decision knowing blacks are more likely going to vote Democrat. That leads to another open question: was this the best pick for black interests that have always taken a back seat in Democratic politics?
