When Adam Hollier was disqualified from the ballot for 13th Congressional District seat last month by the office of Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garett, most people thought that Detroit’s best chance at Black representation in Congress had gone out the door.
But that won’t be the case if Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters has anything to say about it.
Since Hollier’s ballot disqualification, Waters’ emergence has been tangible and palpable, but not surprising. The former instructor for the Wayne County Community College District, Ombudsman for the Wayne County Prosecutors office, and corporate communications professional for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has an impressive resume of public and private work in Detroit that spans decades.
Waters has a distinguished career in public service, marked by her dedication to improving the lives of her constituents. A former State Representative and first African American Female Floor Leader, Waters has consistently championed policies that promote economic development, educational opportunities, and social justice. Her legislative achievements include:
- Education: Advocating for increased funding for public education and implementing programs to close the achievement gap.
- Healthcare: Promoting affordable healthcare initiatives and expanding access to medical services for underserved communities.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Leading efforts to reform the criminal justice system to ensure fairness and reduce recidivism.
- Housing: Initiating community programs to address housing affordability and homelessness, ensuring safe and affordable housing for all residents.
- Youth Employment: Creating youth employment programs to provide job opportunities and career training for young people.
She’s also been able to gain support from an impressive list of local and statewide leaders.
During the Mackinac Policy Conference at the end of May, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joined Waters, other city council members, Waters’ partner and campaign advisor Sam Riddle, and other supporters on the porch of the Grand Hotel to not only relay his support of Waters, but also his criticism of Thanedar’s leadership.
“He’s not a bad person. He’s just not helping,” Duggan said. We can’t afford to carry a congressperson who isn’t responsive.”
Thanedar pushed back against Duggan’s remarks, telling Advance Michigan in a text message that he’s “proud of the work I’ve done for Detroiters” and said he’s delivered over $6.6 million in community project funding for critical areas like revitalizing neighborhoods, protecting water, replacing lead lines, and more.
“My office provides top-notch constituent services to Detroiters, as people can reach me 24/7 on my website and someone always picks up the phone during the day,” Thanedar told Advance. “While Mayor Duggan is interested in playing political games, I am focused on continuing to deliver for the people of Detroit and am confident they will send me back to Washington for another term.”
Duggan’s endorsement isn’t the only one Waters has been able to garner recently, though. She’s gotten support from the UAW, Black Women Lead, and Black Mayors for Michigan, to name a few.
“We’re honored to have such strong support for our campaign,” Waters told Michigan Chronicle. “The people of the 13th District are hungry for change – for representation in Washington, D.C. that truly stands up for them. I have spent my career fighting for the people, no matter the opposition or odds, and these endorsements reflect that. With the backing of the UAW, Mayor Duggan, Strong Women Lead, and the Black Mayors of Michigan, we are poised to win in August and return Black representation from Detroit to Congress.”
“As Black mayors, we understand the critical importance of having strong, effective representation in Congress. Mary Waters has demonstrated time and again her ability to fight for the needs of our communities. Her vision, experience, and dedication make her the right choice for the 13th Congressional District. We need leaders like Mary who will advocate for policies that promote justice, equity, and opportunity for all,” said Mayor Marcus Muhammad of Benton Harbor, Chair of the Black Mayors of Michigan.
Mayor Kelly Garrett of Lathrup Village added: “As the Government Relations Chair, I emphasize the need for sincere and substantive representation for our cities. Mary Waters is a leader who understands the challenges our communities face and has the experience and integrity to advocate effectively on our behalf. Her candidacy represents a significant opportunity to bring about positive change and progress for the 13th Congressional District.”
Riddle, Waters’ campaign advisor, said that Waters will shock a lot of people with this run. He said that she’s historically been successful in her campaigns for other public offices because of her history for following through on her campaign promises and continuously working on behalf of her constituents to represent them in meaningful ways.
“Mary Waters represents more Black voters in Michigan than any other Black woman holding municipal office in Michigan and in the country because she’s one of only two city at-large councilmembers representing the entire city. The rest of them, including the council president, represent districts,” Riddle said.
He added how instrumental Waters has been in some groundbreaking projects and legislation, including the new University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit, a $203 million round of funding from the federal government for housing assistance and down payment assistance for Detroiters, and expungement bills that have helped to give Michigan residents a new lease on life.
Riddle mentioned that the major difference between Waters and Thanedar in this 13th Congressional District race is funding, but what Waters lacks in dollars, she more than makes up for in her ability to show up for her constituents.
“Mary Waters knocks on doors. She shows up for people. She has a large base of senior voters. She is present for the people. She’s accessible. You can’t replace the goodwill and trust she’s earned as a result of the work she’s done,” Riddle said. “The millions of dollars Shri is spending won’t matter because the people don’t trust him, and we’re challenging his spending because he’s spending taxpayer dollars to fund his campaign,” Riddle alleged of Thanedar.
Waters will be joined on the ballot by attorney Shakira Lynn Hawkins as challengers to the 13th Congressional District’s current officeholder Thanedar in the August primary. Republican Martell Bivings, who opposed Thanedar in the 2022 election, is the only Republican candidate seeking the primary.
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