Bernero Campaign Picks Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence for Running Mate

Michigan is really hurting, a scarcity of jobs, rising electrical and heating gas prices, sixth worst foreclosure rate, and wages that fall under the national average. Although Mayor Brenda Lawrence has always worked for our government, she lacks legislative experience, something Virg Bernero lacks himself and could be seen as a detriment for the campaign.

The republican candidate for governor, Rick Snyder's pick as running mate Representative Brian Calley, does have legislative experience even if it's in favor of big business instead of the average Michigander. Something most of Oakland and Macomb county will see as a benefit and something that strengthens Snyder's run the state as a business campaign.

What Mayor Brenda Lawrence does bring to the table is a ton of experience in managing budgets and running a large city, Southfield, Michigan. As Southfield's first black woman mayor, she will obviously be able to bridge the diversity gaps between the suburbs and Detroit, and could turn out to be a real asset in getting a government in Lansing that will represent all Michiganders.

Unfortunately, she will be facing a racist led backlash that considers Southfield an "inferior" Oakland county city because of its black population and high crime rate for robberies, assault, burglary, theft and auto theft which are all well above the national average and above Michigan's other flagship cities. Although the crime rate problem is something Mayor Lawrence will have to be accountable for, the illusion of poverty disguised as racism, is only the doing of ignorant and uninformed people.

I have mixed feelings about Lawrence for Virg Bernero's running mate, because the lack of legislative experience. Our governor will not only have to manage the state much like a mayor manages a city, but they will also have to be heavily involved with the legislative process and the long term impact those decisions will have on all of Michigan.

On the other hand the pick of Brenda Lawrence is appealing to me because her populous views and active role in the community as mayor of Southfield, which could be the exact mix needed to strengthen Virg Bernero's own populous image. Having politicians who are seen everyday in the community and have to answer to the voters on a more personal level like mayors have to everyday lets me know us voters will be heard. Something most CEO's of corporations and representatives who spend all their time in Lansing cannot say and is something the Snyder campaign may be negatively effected by with the many blue-collar workers in southeast Michigan.

Unfortunately we do not have a voting record to really get a good stance on where Brenda Lawrence stands on the big issues, but we can contact Brenda Lawrence here or by calling her office at 248-796-5100 and encourage her to take the Political Courage Test by calling 1-888-Vote-Smart so us Michigan voters can get a good idea of where she really stands on the big issues.

There is no doubt the people of Michigan are struggling and now more than ever need solid, people first leadership, to tackle the enormous sink hole the entire state is in due to budget mismanagement, widespread mortgage fraud and a job environment ravished by globalization.