LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Following the victorious mayoral bids of Reps. Lori Stone (D-Warren) in the 13th District and Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) in the 25th District during the November elections, two vacancies emerged in the Michigan House of Representatives. This left the government divided, with 54 Democrats and 54 Republicans.

When are the special election primaries for the open House seats?

Special election primaries for both Republicans and Democrats in both districts are taking place today. However, a Democratic candidate in the 13th District is displeased with Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s interference and endorsements.

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Former state Rep. LaMar Lemmons III (D), who is Black, has criticized Governor Whitmer’s endorsement of his opponent, Democrat Mai Xiong, in the 13th District special election, as well as her pick for the 25th District Democratic candidate.

Candidates’ frustration with Whitmer endorsement.

Lemmons expressed his frustration to Michigan Advance, stating, “I’ve received 15 pieces of mail supporting what I thought would be, quite frankly, an easy candidate to defeat if she was just left to her own devices. But it appears as if I’m not running against Mai Xiong. In fact, I’m running against the White Democratic majority establishment.”

Lemmons continued, “It’s almost as if somebody wanted to create an internal conflict, similar to what’s going on in the Republican Party, so there will be some pushback.”

Lemmons points to possible racial issue with MIGOP infighting.

Lemmons seems to be alluding to a racial dimension, drawing parallels with issues in the Michigan Republican Party, where there are allegations of mismanagement against Black precinct delegate-elected MIGOP Chair Kristina Karamo.

While Lemmons is the first to bring up racial implications in the struggle for the Republican party’s leadership, Karamo herself has communicated with her supporters about a political “lynching.”

What area does the 13th District encompass?

Lemmons is contesting an area that includes Wayne and Macomb counties, the city of Warren, and a small portion of Detroit. Besides Macomb County Commissioner Xiong, he is also running against Democrat Suzanne Ostosh, Executive Director of Operations of Harvest Time Christian Fellowship Church in Warren.

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On the Republican side in the 13th District special election, there are three candidates: Rev. Curtiss Ostosh (Suzanne Ostosh’s husband), Brandon Cumbee, and Ronald Singer.

Lemmons, a former representative from 1999 to 2003 and then again from 2005 to 2007, aims to restore Black representation to Detroit and Warren due to a decline following redistricting.

Charges of an unprecedented endorsement from the governor.

Lemmons considers Governor Whitmer’s endorsement as “unprecedented” and a “gut punch” to the election process. He clarifies his remarks about running against the White Democratic establishment, stating, “And I say that because I still retain the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus (and) the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus alumni.”

Although the Democratic majority establishment may be predominantly White, Xiong, a child of parents who fled Laos during the Vietnam War, disagrees with Lemmons’ perspective. She believes Whitmer endorsed her due to their shared values and work ethic.

Xiong says division isn’t what the voters want.

Xiong has pushed back against Lemmons’ comments, asserting, “At the end of the day, we’re going to have differences, but if we can come together, I think we’re stronger than when we’re divided.”

Xiong continues, “And so some of the divisiveness and the rhetoric that comes from other candidates or campaigns doesn’t work, because we have to work together in order to get things done for the district.”

Gov. Whitmer overlooks two other Black candidates.

Governor Whitmer has also endorsed Andrea Rutkowski in the 25th District primary, overlooking Black candidates Shannon Rochon and Melandie Hines says Lemmons.

Although Gov. Whitmer’s Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) are the first African Americans to hold their respective positions, Lemmons expresses disappointment in the decreasing numbers of Black representatives and notes the absence of a Black male senator in the Senate, a first in his lifetime.

Michigan News Source reached out to the governor’s office about her endorsements and Lemmons’ statements about them but they did not return our request for comment.