Mayoral candidates blocked from forum say residents should hear from entire field
Councilman Fred Durhal III and business owner Jonathan Barlow say Detroiters deserve to hear from every candidate before they elect the next mayor later this year.
Two mayoral candidates who were shut out of participating in Tuesday’s candidate forum hosted by a local labor group say it’s too early to narrow down the field of candidates able to participate in forums and town halls.
Jonathan Barlow and supporters of Fred Durhal III came to the IBEW 58 in Corktown Tuesday evening despite not being invited by the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, which put on the second forum since the list of candidates was confirmed last week.
Candidates including Detroit City Council president Mary Sheffield, THAW CEO and former city council president Saunteel Jenkins, attorney Todd Perkins, former police chief James Craig and Triumph pastor Solomon Kinloch did participate.
“…my inclusion in tonight’s forum is vital so Detroit voters can get a fuller picture into how our great city can lift all families,” Durhal said in a statement Tuesday. “Detroiters deserve to hear all voices before they decide who they want as their next mayor, and my exclusion from tonight’s forum misses an opportunity…”
Durhal’s campaign noted the Michigan AFL-CIO gave the lawmaker a 100% pro-labor rating during both terms he served representing Detroit in the state legislature in 2016 and 2018.
Candidate Jonathan Barlow showed up to the event with a truck featuring his picture on an electronic billboard, reading, “The candidate with a plan and opportunities to bring money jobs & homes.”
He said it’s too early to shut out candidates when the April 22 filing deadline for candidates was one week ago.
But the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO said in a statement Tuesday all candidates who requested an endorsement from the group were invited.
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