MI-13: Tight Three-Way Race in Dem Primary

Epic-MRA for Detroit News (7/26-27, likely voters):

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-inc.): 33

Mary Waters (D): 29

Martha Scott (D): 24

(MoE: ±4.9%)

Here’s a surprisingly close poll from a primary race that we’ve been paying next-to-no attention to. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick has represented Detroit for over a decade, but suddenly she finds herself polling at only 33% for the upcoming Aug. 5 primary. The fact that ex-State Rep. Mary Waters and State Sen. Martha Scott are splitting the ‘change’ vote seems to be the main thing keeping Cheeks Kilpatrick in this at all.

The problem for Cheeks Kilpatrick is that she’s tied her fortunes to her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. She keeps offering unconditional support for him while he keeps digging his hole deeper in the face of various investigations and indictments.

The primary election is the de facto general election in MI-13, by virtue of its D+32 status.

17 thoughts on “MI-13: Tight Three-Way Race in Dem Primary”

  1. July 20 and July 28.

    Here is State Rep. Waters talking about Kilpatrick at the July 20 debate:

    “She stood up and said ‘no matter what my son is doing to this entire region, which destroys this entire region, you all continue to elect him.”  Waters said.  She continued to Congresswoman Cheeks-Kilpatrick, “You’re his momma, I understand all of that, but the people in the 13th congressional district are truly concerned about your public persona.”

    Then, there was this back and forth exchange:

    Cheeks-Kilpatrick fired back:  “I love my son.  The judicial process will take hold of what happens.  I believe he’ll be fine.”  Cheeks-Kilpatrick said  that she’s running on a “30-year proven record of doing wonderful things for 700-thousand people.”

    As the program drew to a close, Waters attacked Cheeks-Kilpatrick, while Scillian was trying to intervene, saying to Cheeks-Kilpatrick,  “You haven’t done anything.  You haven’t.”

    Cheeks-Kilpatrick fired back, “Girl, please.  You can’t carry my bra!”

    http://www.wwj.com/pages/26296…

    This primary will be interesting to watch for entertainment value alone.  Not sure if there are any major differences on the issues.

  3. Neither candidate has raised funds against Kilpatrick, yet when Kilpatrick get’s herself in the news for all the wrong reasons and her son provides an assist, then quite frankly why even raise funds when you’re getting free media coverage compliments of the Kilpatrick’s.

  4. I’m a huge democrat and live in Michigan. However the Kilpatricks are a waste of time and only push selfish agendas that favor their buddies while hundreds of thousands of people in Detroit suffer from their narrow perception of reality.

    I doubt she will lose because she will be able to spend her way to safety, but Detroit does deserve better!  

  7. is this an obvious place where we should be looking to find a better Democrat?  Is either of the challengers an obviously better Dem than Kilpatrick?  If so, the netroots should prolly jump in quick.  

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