Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit, and former Governor Jennifer Granholm are on the speakers list for the Democratic National Convention.
The three politicians are supporting presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton, and some say they also want to promote the needs of their cities.
Duggan said in a statement that a continuing partnership with Clinton will help continue Detroit’s progress.
“Given the importance of our cities in our nation's success, it makes sense to talk about Detroit and the turnaround that is underway here,” Duggan said. “The support Detroit has received from the Obama administration, particularly in the areas of blight removal and public transportation, has been critical to the progress we are making as a city.”
Clinton visited Flint during the primary campaign. Although Weaver’s speech is still being finalized, she hopes her address and presence at the campaign will keep Flint on the minds of the country.
“One of things we know is what happened in Flint can happen anywhere in the country because we do have a failing infrastructure,” she said. “And I also hope that Flint is used as a platform and a voice to address the infrastructure and water quality issues that we face all across the country.”
Weaver also remarked that Clinton has consistently been there for Flint during the city’s crisis.
“People have asked, ‘has she gone away’ as far as the issues of Flint,” Weaver said. “She has been a champion for Flint, and she has not let us off our issues. We have been in constant communication. And that’s one of the things a lot of people don’t know is she did not just ride off into the sunset.”
Henrietta Ivey, a home care worker Clinton met while campaigning in Michigan, is also scheduled to speak at the convention.
The Democratic National Convention runs from Monday, July 25, until Thursday, July 28, in Philadelphia.
