Detroit's Next Council Member? Think Twice About Karen Whitsett.
As Detroiters prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming municipal election, one City Council candidate is raising serious concerns about her ability to represent the people of Detroit. State Representative Karen Whitsett has been embroiled in a web of controversy that casts doubt on her leadership abilities and commitment to serving the city's most vulnerable residents.
Whitsett's track record is marred by a lack of engagement with policy issues, admitting she doesn't do "a whole lot of policy." In a city grappling with complex challenges like economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety, this approach would be disastrous. A City Council member who shirks their responsibility to address these pressing issues can't be trusted to make tough decisions that impact the daily lives of Detroiters.
But Whitsett's reluctance to engage on policy is only half the story. She has a dismal attendance record in Lansing, missing 77% of session days and showing up to just 15 out of 66 House sessions this year. This lack of accountability is particularly concerning given her decision to walk out of the Michigan House of Representatives during the lame-duck session in December, preventing Democrats from passing critical legislation that would have raised the minimum wage and expanded paid sick leave.
When Whitsett does cast a vote, she consistently votes against her community's interests. Her support for anti-worker bills like HB 4001, which aims to slow planned increases to the state minimum wage, is particularly egregious given Detroit's long history of labor activism. This vote would have put the needs of low-income workers and young employees at risk.
Whitsett has also shown a disturbing willingness to undermine reproductive justice in Michigan. Her decision to vote against legislation that would safeguard women's healthcare access is a betrayal of the values that many Detroiters hold dear.
So, why should voters trust Whitsett on the Detroit City Council? If she can't effectively serve her district in Lansing, what makes her think she'll be any more effective in the city council? The challenges facing Detroit demand leaders who are knowledgeable, accountable, and ready to tackle tough issues. Whitsett's failure to demonstrate these qualities makes her an unfit candidate.
It's time for a change in District 7. Voters deserve a City Council member who will actively work to improve the lives of all residents. They need someone who understands the responsibility of their office, the power of policy, and the impact their leadership has on daily life. Karen Whitsett's record shows that she is not up to the task.
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Maria Ibarra-Frayre is the co-executive director of We The People Michigan.
As Detroiters prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming municipal election, one City Council candidate is raising serious concerns about her ability to represent the people of Detroit. State Representative Karen Whitsett has been embroiled in a web of controversy that casts doubt on her leadership abilities and commitment to serving the city's most vulnerable residents.
Whitsett's track record is marred by a lack of engagement with policy issues, admitting she doesn't do "a whole lot of policy." In a city grappling with complex challenges like economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety, this approach would be disastrous. A City Council member who shirks their responsibility to address these pressing issues can't be trusted to make tough decisions that impact the daily lives of Detroiters.
But Whitsett's reluctance to engage on policy is only half the story. She has a dismal attendance record in Lansing, missing 77% of session days and showing up to just 15 out of 66 House sessions this year. This lack of accountability is particularly concerning given her decision to walk out of the Michigan House of Representatives during the lame-duck session in December, preventing Democrats from passing critical legislation that would have raised the minimum wage and expanded paid sick leave.
When Whitsett does cast a vote, she consistently votes against her community's interests. Her support for anti-worker bills like HB 4001, which aims to slow planned increases to the state minimum wage, is particularly egregious given Detroit's long history of labor activism. This vote would have put the needs of low-income workers and young employees at risk.
Whitsett has also shown a disturbing willingness to undermine reproductive justice in Michigan. Her decision to vote against legislation that would safeguard women's healthcare access is a betrayal of the values that many Detroiters hold dear.
So, why should voters trust Whitsett on the Detroit City Council? If she can't effectively serve her district in Lansing, what makes her think she'll be any more effective in the city council? The challenges facing Detroit demand leaders who are knowledgeable, accountable, and ready to tackle tough issues. Whitsett's failure to demonstrate these qualities makes her an unfit candidate.
It's time for a change in District 7. Voters deserve a City Council member who will actively work to improve the lives of all residents. They need someone who understands the responsibility of their office, the power of policy, and the impact their leadership has on daily life. Karen Whitsett's record shows that she is not up to the task.
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Maria Ibarra-Frayre is the co-executive director of We The People Michigan.
. And with that dismal attendance record, how can we trust her to show up and do the job? Its not just about voting against policies that help low-income workers and young employees, its about being accountable for ones own actions 
. I think voters should look for someone who is knowledgeable, cares deeply about detroit's residents, and has a track record of leadership 
. Maria Ibarra-Frayre seems like the kind of person who could bring that to the table 
. Karen Whitsett's track record is pretty much a deal breaker for me - missing 77% of session days? Come on! That's not how you show up for your people 
. And her voting history? Forget about it 
. We need someone who's gonna fight for the little guy, not against 'em 
.
She can't even get it right in Lansing... I'm not convinced 
. We need someone who's gonna bring that fire and lead us towards a brighter future 
... I feel like Detroit needs someone who's gonna actually listen to their people and make changes that benefit everyone 
. Whitsett's record is just too sketchy for me... how can you trust her to represent the city when she's not even doing her job in Lansing? 
And it's so frustrating that she'd vote against increasing the minimum wage - that's like, basic human rights 
. I think we need someone who's gonna be a true leader and advocate for their community 
. It's like she thinks she can just waltz in there and be all hands on deck without putting in the work.
. That was a real bummer, folks. I remember when my dad used to work at Ford and he could barely make ends meet. To see her voting against something that would've helped people like him? It's just not right.
, but we need someone who's gonna come from the heart and fight for what's right. Not some rep who can't even be bothered to show up on time 
. It's time for a new voice, you know?
Detroit needs someone who'll actively fight for the people, not just take their vote for granted. Whitsett's not it.
.
like how can we trust her with our city's future? 
She sounds like she's not even trying to be a good rep for Detroit, and it's just heartbreaking 
My heart goes out to all the people who are counting on her to make some real change in their lives 
Can't we do better than this?