Harper says Slotkin ‘doesn’t want to give me any oxygen’ in Michigan US Senate race

Actor Hill Harper (L) and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (R) | Ken Coleman and Andrew Roth photos

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper says he’s not concerned that U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) has secured key Black endorsements for the Aug. 6 primary election.

“It’s not troubling to me,” said Harper, an African-American actor and business owner from Detroit, referring to Slotkin as the “establishment candidate.”  

Slotkin has been endorsed by former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins. Last week, the Council of Baptist Pastors, Detroit and Vicinity, a largely African American organization, also backed the three-term congresswoman, who is white. 

“Detroit demands effective representation in Washington and having seen Elissa Slotkin’s dedication to the city over the last year we know she is the right leader we need in this hour,” said the Rev. Richard White, the council’s president. “Now more than ever, we need leadership not only qualified, but dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone, stabilizing our neighborhoods, and ensuring safer communities for our youth.” 

Slotkin said she was grateful for the support.

“When I launched my campaign, the first place I started was Detroit, and I’ve held over 100 events and meetings there since – because I know it’s on me to show up, introduce myself, listen, and keep coming back,” she said.

Harper made his comments on Thursday during a virtual press conference with reporters. He stressed that he also has key Black endorsements, including former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, a Southfield Democrat, and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. Harper also said that more than 80 pastors have endorsed his candidacy. 

Michigan is 14% African American, but has never had a Black U.S. senator. Originally, there were three Black candidates running in the Democratic primary, but Michigan School Board President Pamela Pugh and former state Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit) bowed out of the race. The African-American vote is critical in Democratic primaries.

Harper and Slotkin are vying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing). On the GOP side, the field features former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake, former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Cascade Twp., business executive Sandy Pensler and physician Sherry O’Donnell 

During the news conference, Harper said that if he’s elected in November, he would like to continue Stabenow’s work in the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, where she serves as chair. 

He also continued to criticize Slotkin for not participating in the Detroit Regional Chamber’s debate at its Mackinac Policy Conference last month. Rogers, Amash and Slotkin declined to participate and the chamber canceled the event. 

In a press conference at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Harper challenged Slotkin to four debates. Noting she was at the event, he declared, “We should debate right now!”

Harper continued to criticize Slotkin over debates during his press call last week.

“Her campaign is playing a very dangerous game and stealing a page from the [Donald] Trump MAGA [Make America Great Again] playbook,” Harper said. “Trump said, ‘Hey I’m in the lead here. I’m not going to debate because there’s no advantage to educating the voter about who I am.’”

Harper called Slotkin’s campaign posture on the issue “sadly strategic” and added that “she doesn’t want to give me any oxygen.” 

A Slotkin spokesperson told the Advance that the team has reached out to Harper’s campaign and the congresswoman plans to debate before the primary, something she told the Detroit News last month.

“I’m sure. We just have to figure out when and how,” Slotkin said, referring to debate logistics.

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