Detroit could be without Black representation in Congress again with top candidate off the ballot

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit Democrat will not appear on the ballot after building significant support within the party in his attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s August primary, after election officials determined that he had not submitted enough valid signatures.

Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett’s ruling on Tuesday to keep former state Sen. Adam Hollier off the ballot could keep Detroit without Black representation in Congress for the second consecutive term. Detroit, which is nearly 80% Black, had maintained some Black representation in Congress for almost 70 years until 2023.

In April, Hollier submitted 1,550 signatures to meet the ballot requirement, surpassing the 1,000 needed. Thanedar challenged the validity of the signatures, and Wayne County election staff found that close to half of the signatures were invalid.

The ruling, which can be appealed to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, is a major boost for Thanedar’s reelection bid and a blow to Detroit’s Black community after coalescing around Hollier, who is Black.

“I am extremely disappointed with the news from the Wayne County clerk following her professional review of our petitions,” Hollier said in a statement Tuesday. “Not for myself, but for the voters across the 13th District who deserve a real choice in who their next Congressperson will be.”

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