Politics are a little more interesting in Detroit. Half of the city's 8 mayoral candidates have been convicted of felonies involving drugs, assault, or weapons, according to Detroit News.
3 of them were charged with gun crimes, and 2 of them for assault with intent to commit murder. Some of the crimes go back decades, the oldest from 1977 and the most recent from 2008.
Political consultant Greg Bowens says there are candidates with dirt on them in every election cycle. He says this is nothing new, and nothing unique to Detroit:
“Black marks on your record show you have lived a little and have overcome some challenges. They (candidates) deserve the opportunity to be heard, but they also deserve to have the kind of scrutiny that comes along with trying to get an important elected position.”
Next Tuesday Detroit is holding the first mayoral primary election since the city exited bankruptcy in 2014.
Under Michigan election law, convicted felons can vote and run for office as long as their not incarcerated or guilty of certain fraud-related crimes. They must also not be involved with crimes that breach the public's trust.
Candidate Donna Marie Pitts has a number of felony convictions going back to 1977:
I don’t hide it. God has brought me out. I hope (voters) don’t look at it as negative but as my experience, and I can help. I want to fight for them.”
Click here to read more about the candidates at Detroit News.