Dirty Politics in the Ypsilanti Mayoral Race

[I finished the bulk of this post on July 5, shortly after I heard about the "YCFE endorsement" of Paul Schrieber. Real life interrupted my train of thought and my publishing. My apologies.]

In a Democratic town, a three-way mayoral race among Democrats will spill some blood. That is, you can expect some hard feelings among friends who once strategized together, stuffed envelopes together, knocked on doors together and who (now) oppose each other.

But do you really have to go so negative on your neighbor? Do you really have to act so ... Republican?

Paul Schrieber's webpage now proudly displays an endorsement by the chairs of the now-defunct Ypsilanti Campaign for Equality (the first endorsement by YCFE in a local election, I believe.) I have a lot of respect for Paul, which is why I think he should divest himself of that endorsement as quickly as possible.

Some disclosure is necessary:

• I support Steve Pierce for mayor
• I worked for YCFE during the last charter amendment campaign
• I worked with Beth Bashert (YCFE co-chair) on the 2004 Democratic Coordinated Campaign out of Alma Wheeler Smith's office

Lisa Zuber and Beth Bashert are certainly entitled to support Paul Schrieber as long as they speak as individuals. Instead, they chose to use the YCFE logo as though all of YCFE had decided to endorse Paul. Just like the president of UAW Local X who wants to support Candidate Y doesn't have the right to use the organization's name without the organization's consent, Lisa and Beth don't have the right to speak for everyone who supported them in 2002.

Moreover, Lisa and Beth apparently didn't ask each candidate for their stance on YCFE issues.
In the endorsement letter, Lisa and Beth chose to diss both Lois Richardson and Steve Pierce with this paragraph:

Lois Richardson, also a 2006 candidate for mayor, was the only city council member who did not support us in the 2002 campaign. Steve Pierce is the third 2006 mayoral candididate. As president of Ypsilanti’s DDA in 2002, he refused to endorse us.

I don't know whether Lois Richardson supported YCFE four years ago, although I can imagine that gay rights isn't a popular issue in the First Ward. I also don't know what Ms. Richardson thinks now that she wants to represent the entire city and not just the First Ward. It seems to me that either Lisa and Beth weren't duly diligent as YCFE officers ... or maybe they want revenge for 2002. Or perhaps both.

I've seen the revenge streak before.

* * *

It was the 2004 school board elections; incumbents Tom Reiber and Willie Washington as well as newbie Cameron Getto were on the ballot. Washington was seen as too easily influenced by the superintendent. Getto ran on holding the superintendent accountable. Reiber was outspoken in his criticism of the board as a rubber stamp for the superintendent. We respected Reiber and needed him to overturn the board majority.

But Mr. Reiber had written a letter to the editor of the Ypsi Courier supporting the charter amendment in 2002. His letter was then used by the anti-gay rabble as the sole elected official in Ypsilanti who wanted to remove civil protections for the LGBT community. I knew Tom to be a fair man who would not tolerate discrimination, despite his opposition to the legality of the charter amendment.

The word came back to the campaign that Lisa and Beth were ready to blast Reiber for his letter in 2002. A number of YCFE supporters and community gay activists served as go-betweens, learning Reiber's stance on discrimination, and convincing Lisa and Beth that he had had a conversion of sorts. They could put the guns back in the cabinet. YCFE did not denounce Reiber, and he went on to win handily.

* * *

Lisa and Beth have now launched a similar vengeful attack on Steve Pierce. In 2002 they asked him for a DDA endorsement of YCFE, and he said he wasn't inclined to come out in support of either side of the issue. Technically, what Lisa and Beth claim is true--as DDA President, he didn't endorse them.

What Lisa and Beth conveniently forget to mention is Pierce's personal support for YCFE. His company, HDL, hosted ycfe.org for free, thereby giving an international voice to the fight in Ypsilanti.

Steve Pierce spoke to people about the importance of turning back the anti-gay charter amendment, as I did. He put "No" signs in his yard, as I did. But, apparently, nothing can atone for not explicitly endorsing YCFE.

What price this pound of flesh?

* * *

The icing on the cake of vengeance comes in the final sentence: "We believe that if either Richardson or Pierce becomes mayor of Ypsilanti, our cause will no longer enjoy strong political support in this community."

Are Lisa and Beth implying that Lois Richardson and Steve Pierce don't support gays?

If pettifoggery were the standard, some might agree. But Lisa and Beth never asked Lois Richardson or Steve Pierce about their stance on the Ypsilanti City Charter. In fact, they know that Steve Pierce supported them.

These two "beacons" of civil rights failed the most basic test of civil liberties.

Mr. Schrieber, you should disavow this endorsement.