Anyone doubting America is an inclusive country should follow Detroit’s congressional battle in this year’s midterm elections.
A Black woman and a Muslim woman of Palestinian ancestry will compete to represent voters in Detroit’s 12th Congressional District.
Former Michigan state legislator Shanelle Jackson told Jewish Insider Thursday she plans to challenge Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) in the Democratic primary for the newly drawn 12th Congressional District. Each hopes to replace the vacant seat of Rep. Brenda Lawrence, who said she would retire at the end of this term.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib has represented Michigan’s 13th Congressional District since 2019. The 45-year-old congresswoman announced last week she intends to run for reelection in the newly drawn district.
Jackson, 41, was soundly defeated by Tlaib in a six-way primary to represent the 13th District in 2018. She garnered just five percent of votes in that election, compared to Tlaib’s 31 percent showing. Jackson expressed optimism in her interview with the Israeli publication that the re-drawn congressional district map presents a new opportunity in the neighboring 12th District, which favors Democrats.
“I think right now is the moment,” Jackson said. “It’s almost palpable in the city of Detroit and in this region: Black women are stepping up in leadership.”
“We’re hungry to have our voice in the room, and at the table,” she added.
The congressional challenger noted Tlaib is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, while she is a centrist Democrat who favors business-friendly policies and believes she can find ground for bipartisan agreement. “I think we’ll be very different, obviously, in our approaches,” Jackson reportedly said.
Jackson reportedly drew a sharper contrast with the serving representative when she said she supports Israel and sees them as natural allies of the United States. Tlaib has been criticized by people who view policies and past statements of hers as anti-Semitic.
“When she gets that mic in front of her, she goes crazy and goes to many extremes,” Jackson said. “I really feel like it’s now or never as it pertains to being able to sort of shut her down and calm down some of the anti-Semitic rhetoric.”
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