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Candidate who said Marysville should be as white "as possible" withdraws from race

City of Marysville
Credit City of Marysville

Updated Monday, August 26, 2019, 2:38 p.m.:

A city council candidate in Michigan who said she wants to keep her community white "as much as possible" has withdrawn from the race.

The Times Herald in Port Huron reports that Jean Cramer on Monday submitted a letter to Mayor Dan Damman withdrawing from the race in Marysville. City Manager Randy Fernandez says Cramer's name will remain on the Nov. 5 city election ballot.

Original Post, Friday, Aust 23, 2019, 9:43 a.m.:

A city council candidate in Michigan shocked a public forum when she said she wants to keep "Marysville a white community as much as possible."

Jean Cramer made the comment Thursday in response to a question about diversity in Marysville, a city in St. Clair County, 55 miles northeast of Detroit. The Times Herald in Port Huron says she's one of five candidates running for three council seats in November.

After the forum, Cramer told the newspaper that she's not "against blacks" but believes married couples "need to be the same race."

Mayor Dan Damman, who isn't running for re-election, says Cramer's comments were "vile" and "jaw-dropping." Council member Paul Wessel says Marysville is open to anyone who arrives in the city.

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