“Fight! Freedom! Fight! Freedom!” A call that reverberated as loud and as clear as a church bell through downtown Detroit’s Cadillac Square at Hill Harper’s inaugural campaign event on Tuesday afternoon, July 11. The event marked the commencement of his bid for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan.
The renowned actor, recognized for his prominent roles in “He’s Got Game,” “CSI: NY” and “The Good Doctor,” revealed his intentions to launch his first-ever political campaign earlier this week, entering the fray of Democrats in Michigan’s 2024 Senate race.
WATCH: Sights and Sounds from Hill Harper’s July 11 Campaign Event in Downtown Detroit
Amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Detroit, he was accompanied by local dignitaries, hundreds of Detroiters, and Michiganders from every corner of life, age, and heritage. Their unified objective? To fully absorb and resonate with Harper’s spoken sentiments as he tackled the needs of the people—Michigan’s people.
Harper’s decision to run was met with encouraging words from esteemed Michigan officials like Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull and Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton. Turnbull expressed his intrigue for Harper’s values, which resonate with his own ethos of learning, action, and giving back. He stated that Harper’s decision is a testament to his dedication to the people of Michigan.
“His values which mirror mine; learn, do, and give back,” Turnbull said “And that’s what we’re doing today, stepping up for Michigan. With that, Harper is giving back to the state of Michigan in a tremendous way.”
Harper, a resident of the Boston Edison neighborhood in Detroit and a proud Black business owner of a coffee shop, Roasting Plant Coffee, confessed his deep affection for the people of Michigan. He has committed to raising his children in Michigan so they can grow up surrounded by the heart and soul of the state, instead of the glitz and glamor of Hollywood.
“I fell in love with the people – the greatest people in the world live right here,” said Harper. “So, I said to myself when I have children, I was going to raise them here, so they’ll grow up like the folks here not like the people in Hollywood.”
Harper is stepping into the ring to fill the shoes of retiring Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who has decided against a fifth term. Pitting himself to the left of Rep. Elissa Slotkin—a moderate, three-term Democratic House member from a swing district who launched her own Senate bid in February— heavily supported by current Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
While Harper’s fame primarily stems from his acting career, his senatorial aspirations are anything but performative. As it stands, a trifecta of Black men currently grace the U.S. Senate floor: Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.). Harper is deeply committed to joining this list and shifting this reality.
In a video announcement unveiled Monday, Harper speaks candidly to his son Pierce Hill Harper, conveying the urgency and need for change in an increasingly divided and volatile world. He criticizes politicians, who in his opinion, fail to prioritize people, and underscores the need for a government that truly serves its people, fosters good, and guards freedoms.
“At the core of so much of this are too many politicians in office that don’t really care about people,” Harper said. “I believe our government should work for the people, be a force for good and protect our freedoms. And that won’t happen if we keep electing the same type of people to office.”
Reflecting this belief, when Harper took to the podium Tuesday afternoon, he eschewed a scripted speech in favor of a heartfelt appeal. His message was simple, yet profound: the necessity to fight for freedom. He emphasized the systemic hindrances that have historically curtailed freedom and expressed his commitment to restoring people’s faith in democracy.
“Something else has been put on my heart, two words stand out to me most – fight and freedom,” Harper said. “And fighting for freedom is what we need to do. If you look at the systemic history of our country, from then until now, it has been a very reluctant promise of freedom. There have been systemic forces at bay that has worked hard to pull the freedom back from people and even as we look at where we are right now and look at what’s happening with our political system – people have felt left out of the system and in turn they don’t trust democracy.”
As Tuesday’s event concluded, it was clear that the ‘people’ determinedly backs Harper’s candidacy. An affirmation of Harper’s slogan: “Powered by the People.”
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