Editor’s Note: We are publishing the message below addressed to the Congressional Black Caucus, written by Claire McClinton of Flint, Michigan. McClinton is considered a ‘Water Warrior’ in the Flint area, along with a labor and anti-poverty background. The context for her message is the election in November 2026 to decide who controls the Senate in particular, but the House as well. In Michigan, a raging divide in the Democratic Party is being expressed as Black support for progressive candidates versus support for moderate candidates. Black voters are key to winning Democratic Party elections. Black voters in Michigan and nationwide, however, are expressing their sense of abandonment by a Party that funds candidates whose programs do not represent their interests, while relying on Blacks to win elections. Michigan’s Senate race symbolizes this divide. McClinton calls out the hypocrisy of Democratic leaders, and the Congressional Black Caucus in particular, for its endorsement of Michigan’s senatorial candidate who declares her support for Israel, and who has received millions in donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to defeat her opponent, who also deserves his right to represent.
Message to Congressional Black Caucus
— By Claire McClinton
As an African American elder, I am shocked and disheartened at your endorsement of candidate Haley Stevens for U.S. Senate here in Michigan. Isn’t the millions of dollars donated to her by the AIPAC endorsement enough for her?
You all joined Gary Peters [D-Michigan] in a last ditch effort to secure Steven’s nomination. Fortunately for him, he decided not to run again as we don’t believe he could get reelected. We warned him in his last election that his failure to reach out to our community during his tenure was nonexistent. There was no change.
Haley Stevens may be a good person, but she is clearly at the mercy of AIPAC. Her recent vote underscores this.*
I’m not here to endorse her opponent, but clearly he deserves an opportunity to represent as she has made her allegiance clear.
I cannot imagine the late Congressman John Conyers co-signing this!!!!
And you wonder why folks don’t run to the polls to VOTE!!
As Democracy as we’ve known it is being destroyed daily, i.e., the Voting Rights Act, etc., and many of your members are being gerrymandered (or attempted to be) out of their seats as we speak, (including Congressman Clyburn), you choose to follow these same old same, same old, business as usual politics.
This is NOT the way to meet the moment. Just so you know, we see you and we don’t like what we see. Maybe a new and improved Black Caucus is in order!!!
*Haley Stevens voted no on a July 15, 2026, House amendment that aimed to block $3.3 billion in U.S. military and humanitarian aid to Israel.
