Many Michigan Black political and religious leaders throw their support to Harris for president

Kamala Harris takes selfies at an SEIU rally for security officers in Detroit, July 24, 2019 | Andrew Roth

After President Joe Biden, 81, announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection following weeks of concern about his age, health and mental acuity, several leading Black Michigan Democrats told the Michigan Advance they believe Vice President Kamala Harris has is a viable path to defeat former president and GOP nominee Donald Trump. 

Biden has officially backed Harris, 59, is the first woman and person of African and South Asian descent to serve as vice president.

“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” Biden said. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the first African American to hold that position, said on Monday he will “do everything in my power to help” Harris win.

“I am proud to stand tall for Vice President Kamala Harris to be our Democratic nominee and next President of the United States,” Gilchrist said on Monday. “The energy and urgency she will bring to this race and her presidency are what we need to move forward.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been floated as a potential presidential contender, on Monday also endorsed Harris.

In addition to Gilchrist, several African-American Democratic leaders have already endorsed Harris, including Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes, who said on Sunday she’s “fired up and ready to elect Vice President Harris this November as she works tirelessly to defend our democracy and defeat Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda.”

State House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), the first African American to lead a legislative chamber, praised Biden’s record and his decision to step aside for the good of the country.

“It is now our responsibility as Democrats and Americans to unite behind Vice President Harris and carry our candidate through to victory in November. This decision by President Biden is an example to us all and we cannot squander his sacrifice on division and posturing,” said Tate on Sunday.

The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus on Sunday noted the organization backed Harris in her 2020 presidential bid in 2020 and affirmed support for her. 

“Her plans to close the racial wealth gap, invest in our classrooms and higher education is a clear investment in our future but also America’s future,” said Chair Keith Williams.  

Hill Harper, who’s running for the open Michigan U.S. Senate seat, said in a fundraising email on Sunday evening that he’s “consistently and publicly voiced my strong support for Vice President Harris. 

“If elected, I would become the 13th Black senator in U.S. history. Moreover, we have the opportunity to support Kamala Harris in becoming the first Black woman president. This moment is monumental, and together, we can make history,” Harper said.

He is running in the Aug. 6 primary against U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), who also has endorsed Harris. On the GOP side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (I-Cascade Twp.) and Dr. Sherry O’Donnell are running.

In a statement Sunday, Harris said that it “has been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside our Commander-in-Chief, my friend, President Joe Biden,” while taking a swipe at former President Donald Trump, though not by name.

“And I am eager to run on the record of what Joe and I have accomplished together. We built our country back after our predecessor left it in shambles — making historic progress in reducing prescription drug costs, upgrading our nation’s infrastructure, fighting climate change, and more. We are stronger today because we took action — together — to invest in America’s future.”

The Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago between Aug. 19 and 22. Monique Baker-McCormick, a Wayne County Commission member and a Democrat, announced her support for Harris. 

“Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to come together as one,” Baker-McCormick said. “We must not allow confusion or division to weaken our resolve. The stakes are too high, and the time is now to stand united. We cannot afford another term under a self-proclaimed dictator like Donald Trump, a Republican. We have made significant progress in a positive direction, and it is imperative that we continue this momentum with a Democratic leader in January 2025.”

Pamela Pugh, president of the State Board of Education and a candidate for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, supports Harris as well, saying that the vice president has been a supporter of abortion rights, gun violence prevention and strengthening the economy. 

“She has the ability to do all of that,” said Pugh. 

The Democrat is facing state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) and former Flint Mayor Matt Collier in the primary. On the GOP side, 2022 Republican nominee Paul Junge, former Dow Chemical Executive Mary Draves and business owner Anthony Hudson are running.

On Sunday night, the national political advocacy group Win With Black Women organized a Zoom meeting to support Harrris that drew 44,000 people and raised over $1.5 million, according to reporting from the Grio. 

The Rev. Horace Sheffield III, pastor of New Destiny Baptist Church and longtime civil rights leader, believes that Harris can beat Trump but it would be “difficult to pull this off.” He also stated that Harris’ chances of defeating Trump are increased if she selects a white man as a running mate.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper have most frequently been mentioned as potential VP candidates.

Some African-American leaders didn’t think Biden should have ended his campaign, like the Rev. Charles Williams, pastor of Detroit’s Historic King Solomon Baptist Church and chair of Michigan’s chapter of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Williams talked with Biden during the president’s Detroit visit at Renaissance High School earlier this month. 

“His handshake was strong; his thoughts were clear,” Williams said. “His body is just old and if we are gauging it off of that, anybody who is doing anything of substance and running any business or corporation, or any organization … we should discount what they are doing.” 

The Rev. Williams is supporting Harris now and noted her experience.

“She’s been a U.S. senator; she’s been an elected official in California, and a prosecutor, as well,” he said. 

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