Why Detroiters chose Democratic Socialists

Detroit’s politics have never been simple. This is the city that produced the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement and the League of Revolutionary Black Workers in the 1960s. 

It’s also the city that voted for Haley Stevens over Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in the August primary, by over 60%. And yet, recently, Democratic Socialists have been gaining a lot of ground. 

At the city council level, that includes Gabriella Santiago-Romero and Denzel McCampbell. At the state level, Chris Gilmer-Hill was just voted in. And, Detroit’s Congressional members — Rashida Tlaib and member-elect Donovan McKinney, are both members of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

What accounts for this trend? And, what does it say about the political leanings of Detroiters?

Donna Givens-Davidson is the president and CEO of Eastside Community Network and co-host of the Authentically Detroit podcast. She was also part of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s transition team.

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