Detroit Deserves a Leader Who Understands Policy - Not One Who Disregards It.
As the city of Detroit prepares to cast its votes in the upcoming municipal election, one City Council candidate's record is raising serious questions about her ability to represent the people she claims to serve. Karen Whitsett, currently a state representative, has consistently demonstrated a disregard for the needs and values of her district.
Whitsett's Admission: A Lack of Preparedness
In November 2024, Whitsett publicly stated that policy work isn't really her thing. This statement is particularly troubling given the complex challenges Detroit faces in areas like economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety. A representative who disavows the core responsibility of policy-making should not be trusted with the future of a city as dynamic as Michigan's.
Whitsett's Absence from Work
Not only does Whitsett opt out of policy work, but she also frequently misses sessions in Lansing. According to The Detroit News, Whitsett has attended only 15 out of 66 House session days this year, which translates to a staggering 77% absence rate. This lack of accountability is alarming and raises serious questions about her ability to show up for her constituents when it matters most.
The Walkout: A Betrayal of Trust
Whitsett's walkout from the Michigan House of Representatives during a lame-duck session in December 2024 was a direct insult to her constituents. Her decision to leave without passing critical legislation, including measures that would have raised the minimum wage and expanded paid sick leave, demonstrated a callous disregard for the people she claims to serve.
Voting Against Her Community's Interests
Whitsett has consistently voted against her community's interests. This August, she helped pass an omnibus budget spending bill that cut $4.8 billion from Medicaid funding, defunded SNAP by over $333 million, and slashed environmental programs that keep Detroit's air safe and water clean. These votes were particularly concerning given the city's struggles with economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety.
Whitsett's Troubling Record: A Pattern of Betrayal
Whitsett's record is marked by a series of troubling decisions that demonstrate her lack of commitment to representing her district. She voted in favor of House Bill 4001, which would slow planned increases to the state minimum wage and reduce wages for employees under 18. This vote was particularly galling given Detroit's strong support for the One Fair Wage initiative.
In 2023, Whitsett also voted against legislation designed to protect women's rights and healthcare access. Her decision on this critical issue was deeply concerning, given Detroit's high maternal mortality rates among Black women.
A Leader Who Cares: What Detroit Deserves
Detroit deserves a City Council that is active, engaged, and committed to making decisions that will improve the lives of its residents. Karen Whitsett's record shows that she is not that leader. From her absence from sessions to her betrayal of workers, Whitsett has proven time and again that she has no interest in representing her district.
It's Time for a Change
The challenges facing Detroit require leaders who are knowledgeable, accountable, and ready to take on difficult issues and fight for the people who live there. Karen Whitsett's failure to do so in the state legislature makes her an unfit candidate for the Detroit City Council.
Voters deserve someone who understands the responsibility of their office, the power of policy, and the impact their leadership has on daily life. We need our representatives to be true partners - collaborative leaders who will champion working people, protect healthcare, ensure affordable neighborhoods, defend immigrant communities, and put resources towards public safety's root causes.
Karen Whitsett is not that leader.
As the city of Detroit prepares to cast its votes in the upcoming municipal election, one City Council candidate's record is raising serious questions about her ability to represent the people she claims to serve. Karen Whitsett, currently a state representative, has consistently demonstrated a disregard for the needs and values of her district.
Whitsett's Admission: A Lack of Preparedness
In November 2024, Whitsett publicly stated that policy work isn't really her thing. This statement is particularly troubling given the complex challenges Detroit faces in areas like economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety. A representative who disavows the core responsibility of policy-making should not be trusted with the future of a city as dynamic as Michigan's.
Whitsett's Absence from Work
Not only does Whitsett opt out of policy work, but she also frequently misses sessions in Lansing. According to The Detroit News, Whitsett has attended only 15 out of 66 House session days this year, which translates to a staggering 77% absence rate. This lack of accountability is alarming and raises serious questions about her ability to show up for her constituents when it matters most.
The Walkout: A Betrayal of Trust
Whitsett's walkout from the Michigan House of Representatives during a lame-duck session in December 2024 was a direct insult to her constituents. Her decision to leave without passing critical legislation, including measures that would have raised the minimum wage and expanded paid sick leave, demonstrated a callous disregard for the people she claims to serve.
Voting Against Her Community's Interests
Whitsett has consistently voted against her community's interests. This August, she helped pass an omnibus budget spending bill that cut $4.8 billion from Medicaid funding, defunded SNAP by over $333 million, and slashed environmental programs that keep Detroit's air safe and water clean. These votes were particularly concerning given the city's struggles with economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety.
Whitsett's Troubling Record: A Pattern of Betrayal
Whitsett's record is marked by a series of troubling decisions that demonstrate her lack of commitment to representing her district. She voted in favor of House Bill 4001, which would slow planned increases to the state minimum wage and reduce wages for employees under 18. This vote was particularly galling given Detroit's strong support for the One Fair Wage initiative.
In 2023, Whitsett also voted against legislation designed to protect women's rights and healthcare access. Her decision on this critical issue was deeply concerning, given Detroit's high maternal mortality rates among Black women.
A Leader Who Cares: What Detroit Deserves
Detroit deserves a City Council that is active, engaged, and committed to making decisions that will improve the lives of its residents. Karen Whitsett's record shows that she is not that leader. From her absence from sessions to her betrayal of workers, Whitsett has proven time and again that she has no interest in representing her district.
It's Time for a Change
The challenges facing Detroit require leaders who are knowledgeable, accountable, and ready to take on difficult issues and fight for the people who live there. Karen Whitsett's failure to do so in the state legislature makes her an unfit candidate for the Detroit City Council.
Voters deserve someone who understands the responsibility of their office, the power of policy, and the impact their leadership has on daily life. We need our representatives to be true partners - collaborative leaders who will champion working people, protect healthcare, ensure affordable neighborhoods, defend immigrant communities, and put resources towards public safety's root causes.
Karen Whitsett is not that leader.
. Like, who disavows policy work and then expects to be a City Council rep? Not only did she miss most of the sessions in Lansing, but now she's running for a position that actually requires her to know what she's doing 
. The city needs someone who can bring people together and make informed decisions, not just some random politician looking to cash a paycheck.
. And don't even get me started on her walkout during that lame-duck session... like, what even is she afraid of? 
. Can we PLEASE just vote her out already?!
. She's all talk but no action, missing like 77% of sessions in Lansing, that's just unacceptable 
. And what's with the lame-duck session walkout? That was low 
. It's not about being a "team player" or whatever she claims to be, it's about putting her community first and doing real work 
. I mean, come on, cutting Medicaid funding by $4.8 billion? That's just cruel 
. Detroit needs someone who understands policy, not just talks the talk 
. We deserve a leader who'll actually make a difference, not just collect a paycheck 
.
. And don't even get me started on the walkout... it was a huge betrayal of trust 
. We deserve someone who'll fight for us, not against us 
.
oh girl, i'm feeling so bad for the people of detroit... it sounds like they deserve so much better than someone who is just going through the motions and disregarding their needs. a city council member should be working tirelessly to create positive change, not just saying they're not good at policy 
. and that 77% absence rate is just ridiculous! it's like, how can you expect to represent people when you're not even showing up to work? 
i know we all make mistakes, but this seems intentional. detroit needs someone who is going to listen, learn, and lead with love 
. let's hope the voters see through whitsett's actions and choose a leader who will truly care for their community 
. It sounds like Karen Whitsett would be a disaster on the City Council. Her lack of preparedness for policy work and absences from sessions are super concerning. And don't even get me started on her votes against community interests! 
She seems to be all about hurting people, not helping them.
.
just saw this article about Karen Whitsett and I'm low-key shook 
seems like her whole gig is to skip sessions and vote against people's interests 
like, what kinda rep does that make u? 
needs a reality check stat 
Detroit needs someone who actually gets policy, you know? Whitsett's record is just straight up concerning... she's like, "policy work isn't really my thing" 
. Can't trust her to make progress on economic recovery, affordable housing, or public safety 
instead of some politician who just takes a paycheck and shows up half the time 
all these votes against the community, it's like she don't care about the people who elected her