The campaign of a Democratic House candidate from Michigan blacked out the skin color of his black Republican opponent in a public plea for donations, drawing swift criticism from the lower house GOP campaign arm.
Carl Marlinga, who is running to flip Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, posted a black-and-white photo of Rep. John James on the X that makes James’ skin look darker than before — next to an image of Marlinga in full color.
“In 2022, we’re less than 2,000 votes away from flipping Michigan’s 10th blue. Nobody saw it coming,” Marlinga said as part of a note that linked back to his ActBlue page, which featured the same dark image of James.
“In 2024, we will complete the work. Michiganders deserve it. Join us,” he added, including a headline from the nonpartisan Cook Political Report calling the contest with James “the third closest House race in the country.”
A House Democrat from Michigan’s campaign has blacked out the skin color of his black Republican opponent in a public request for donations. @MarlingaForMI10 / X
The National Republican Congressional Committee blasted the campaign’s decision to alter the photo in a statement to The Post — and called on Marlinga to return any donations earned from the effort.
“Carl Marlinga showed us his true character and it’s disgusting,” said NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella. “He should apologize and return the money he collected for this despicable effort.”
The Marlinga campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“In 2022, we’re less than 2,000 votes away from flipping Michigan’s 10th blue. Nobody saw that coming,” Marlinga said as part of a fundraising request linked to her ActBlue page. Carl Malinga
Campaign mailers and donation pages have sparked controversy in the past for their provocative or ethnic portrayals of candidates.
In November, Rep. Now-ousted George Santos (R-NY) accused his GOP colleagues of distributing flyers showing one of his potential Democratic opponents, who is Jewish, with an enlarged nose.
“This image is disgusting propaganda just like the images used by the Nazis [sic],” the 35-year-old congressman said at the time, blasting the Nassau County Republican Party for signing an image of Democratic House candidate Josh Lafazan smiling and clutching a handful of cash.
“Carl Marlinga showed us his true character and it’s disgusting,” said NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella. “He should apologize and return the money he collected for this despicable effort.” CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images
Bronx far left and Rep. Westchester Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) during his 2022 campaign also accused his Republican opponent of artificially darkening his campaign photos.
“Being black in America is dealing with various forms of racism on a consistent basis. This is one of them,” Bowman said in a statement at the time. “There is a bad history behind facial distortions to spread hatred and contempt for political purposes.”
Marlinga’s donation page also called James “too extreme for Michigan,” referring to the Republican’s statements on abortion during a previous US Senate run, a key issue for Democrats since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
Marlinga’s donation page also called James “too extreme for Michigan,” referring to Republican statements on abortion during his previous US Senate run, a key Democratic issue. Getty Images In 2022, James defeated Marlinga by 1,600 votes after unsuccessful bids to unseat Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) in 2018 and 2020, respectively. AFP via Getty Images
James defeated Marlinga that year by 1,600 votes after unsuccessful bids to unseat Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) in 2018 and 2020, respectively.
Michigan’s 10th district has not been represented by a Democrat since 2003, when former Rep. David Bonior retired from his post, and remains one of the few seats the party hopes to flip in 2024 to regain control of the House majority.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has amplified comments James made during campaign events in the race, including an allegation that the Roe decision has paved the way for “carnage,” MLive.com reported.
James, a non-denominational Christian, has maintained his position as “100% pro-life” but focused his 2024 campaign on his successful first term in Congress delivering funding for infrastructure. Getty Images
Marlinga has also attacked James for being “out of step” with his constituents on the issue.
A former state judge, Marlinga was charged with bribery in 2004 for allegedly helping a defendant get a new trial on rape charges in exchange for donations to his 2002 congressional campaign.
A federal grand jury acquitted him in 2006 of all corruption charges.
James, a nondenominational Christian, has maintained his position as “100% pro-life” but focused his 2024 campaign on the success of his first term in Congress delivering federal funding for local infrastructure projects.
“This is what happens when you put a combat veteran and a former businessman in Washington,” he said in an October campaign video, “to cut through the BS and say ‘no excuses’ because people at home are counting on me.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
