Detroit Voters Deserve Better: Karen Whitsett's Troubling Record as City Council Candidate
As the 2025 Detroit municipal election approaches, one thing is clear: voters deserve a leader who understands the importance of policy and community priorities. However, state Representative Karen Whitsett's record raises serious questions about her ability to represent the people of Detroit.
Whitsett's admission that she doesn't engage in policy work is particularly concerning for a city like Detroit, where residents face complex challenges such as economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety. By her own words, Whitsett shows a lack of preparedness to tackle these difficult issues, making it unlikely that she can effectively address the needs of her district.
Furthermore, Whitsett's attendance record in Lansing is staggering – she has missed 77 percent of session days, including a recent all-night session for the passage of the annual budget. Her absence from critical legislative moments, such as the lame-duck session, where important bills like minimum wage and paid sick leave measures were left to die, is a direct insult to her constituents.
When Whitsett does cast a vote, she often votes against the interests of her community. Last August, she helped pass an omnibus budget spending bill that cuts $4.8 billion for Medicaid funding, defunds SNAP, slashes environmental programs, and cuts the Michigan Department of Civil Rights budget in half. This vote is particularly alarming, given Detroit's struggles with affordable housing and public safety.
Whitsett's record on reproductive rights and healthcare access is also concerning. In 2023, she voted against legislation designed to protect women's rights and safeguard maternal mortality rates among Black women. Despite the strong support for reproductive justice in Detroit, Whitsett has consistently shown a lack of commitment to this critical issue.
Detroit deserves a City Council that is active, engaged, and committed to making decisions that improve the lives of its residents. Karen Whitsett's record shows that she is not that leader. From her refusal to show up to session, to her betrayal of workers, to her votes against reproductive justice, Whitsett has proven time and again that she has no interest in representing her district.
As we head into the 2025 Detroit municipal election, it's clear that voters need a change. We deserve leaders who understand the responsibility of their office, the power of policy, and the impact their leadership has on daily life. Karen Whitsett is not up to the task.
As the 2025 Detroit municipal election approaches, one thing is clear: voters deserve a leader who understands the importance of policy and community priorities. However, state Representative Karen Whitsett's record raises serious questions about her ability to represent the people of Detroit.
Whitsett's admission that she doesn't engage in policy work is particularly concerning for a city like Detroit, where residents face complex challenges such as economic recovery, affordable housing, and public safety. By her own words, Whitsett shows a lack of preparedness to tackle these difficult issues, making it unlikely that she can effectively address the needs of her district.
Furthermore, Whitsett's attendance record in Lansing is staggering – she has missed 77 percent of session days, including a recent all-night session for the passage of the annual budget. Her absence from critical legislative moments, such as the lame-duck session, where important bills like minimum wage and paid sick leave measures were left to die, is a direct insult to her constituents.
When Whitsett does cast a vote, she often votes against the interests of her community. Last August, she helped pass an omnibus budget spending bill that cuts $4.8 billion for Medicaid funding, defunds SNAP, slashes environmental programs, and cuts the Michigan Department of Civil Rights budget in half. This vote is particularly alarming, given Detroit's struggles with affordable housing and public safety.
Whitsett's record on reproductive rights and healthcare access is also concerning. In 2023, she voted against legislation designed to protect women's rights and safeguard maternal mortality rates among Black women. Despite the strong support for reproductive justice in Detroit, Whitsett has consistently shown a lack of commitment to this critical issue.
Detroit deserves a City Council that is active, engaged, and committed to making decisions that improve the lives of its residents. Karen Whitsett's record shows that she is not that leader. From her refusal to show up to session, to her betrayal of workers, to her votes against reproductive justice, Whitsett has proven time and again that she has no interest in representing her district.
As we head into the 2025 Detroit municipal election, it's clear that voters need a change. We deserve leaders who understand the responsibility of their office, the power of policy, and the impact their leadership has on daily life. Karen Whitsett is not up to the task.
I gotta say, Whitsett's track record is super concerning. 77% of session days missed? That's just insane! And her votes against Medicaid funding and reproductive rights are just plain cruel 
. It's like she's more interested in lining the pockets of big corporations than helping the people of Detroit. I mean, can't we do better than that? We need a City Council that actually cares about its constituents, not just shows up to collect a paycheck 
. Whitsett's not even close to being a leader, she's just a pawn for whoever is paying her 
.
But let's be real, politicians are like apples - they all have their flaws 
and some might even say it's a reflection of the system they're part of 
. Can we really expect anyone to be perfect? 
I mean, Detroit's got its own set of issues, like poverty and inequality 
, and Whitsett's lack of experience in policy work is just one part of that puzzle 
.
. We should be supporting candidates who genuinely care about Detroit, not just tearing them down for perceived flaws 
. Let's focus on finding solutions, not just scapegoats 
.
. I've been following Karen Whitsett's career for years, and her record is just plain sketchy. She shows up late (or not at all) to critical meetings and votes against the people she's supposed to be representing. It's like she thinks they're just going to let it slide because she's on their side 
. Cutting Medicaid funding, slashing environmental programs... this is a city that desperately needs more investment in healthcare and public services, not less. It's hard to trust someone who consistently votes against the people they're supposed to be serving.
I'm literally so tired of politicians being all about self-preservation instead of actually helping people! Karen Whitsett's record is just unbelievable - 77% absenteeism from session days? That's unacceptable 
And voting against Medicaid funding and reproductive rights in a city that needs those services more than ever? Give me a break 
We need leaders who are passionate about making a difference, not ones who are just looking out for their own interests. Detroit deserves better 
.
. Just saying 
I mean, come on, 77% attendance record? That's dedication! And who needs experience in policy work when you've got charisma and a smile that can win over voters? 
Plus, her votes against Medicaid funding and reproductive rights show she's not afraid to take bold stances. The fact that Detroit struggles with affordable housing and public safety just proves she's a true leader willing to challenge the status quo. Let's give Whitsett a chance, she'll do great things 
! I mean, 77% absenteeism? That's like, what even is that? And those votes she made, cutting Medicaid funding and defunding SNAP? Detroit needs someone who actually cares about its people, not just showing up to collect a paycheck 
. Can't we just get someone who's gonna put Detroit first? 
first off, missing 77% of legislative sessions? that's crazy! and voting against medicaid funding and rep reproductive justice? her record is a total disaster 
. It's like they're trying to cram a million facts into one block of text without any clear headings or subheadings 
.
Just sayin'
. we need to ask ourselves: what kind of leader do we want to represent us?
. It sounds like Karen Whitsett just isn't doing that. And her attendance record is wild! I had to do a study group for my math test last week and we couldn't even agree on what time to meet because of how many meetings our teacher had 
. I get that politicians have busy schedules, but it seems like Whitsett just isn't taking her job seriously. Not good for Detroit's residents 
And what about those workers she voted against? I don't think they're going to be too happy with that one. 
I'm seeing this news and I gotta say, 77% absentee rate from Lansing sessions is WILD 
. And then she's voting against Medicaid funding increase which affects Detroit's healthcare 
.
. Meanwhile, Whitsett's been missing session days and opposing policies that benefit the community 
, and 67% of times she opposed environmental programs 
gotta make sure voters do their research & hold leaders accountable 