We're back now for overtime with the former Flint mayor.

And, we have Zoe with a question.

So we've been talking a lot about the gubernatorial race.

who is your candidate in the US Senate race.

In the US Senate race?

Mallory McMarrow.

Say more?

Well, you know what?

It's interesting because now that's one where I have I heard everybody and she was the last person that I actually went to hear.

I gone to hear Haley Stevens, and I already knew, Abdul and, from when I was in office.

So I wen and listened to both of them now and then I got a call from, the McMorrow no.

Yeah, I got a I got a call.

Everyone is calling you.

But but I didn't respond to the call because, you know, I'm still the I don't know that number.

So I didn't answer.

And then I got a text and it was they wanted to know if this was my contact.

So I said yes.

And they said that she'd lik to have a conversation with me.

So we set that up.

But she was coming to Flint the next day.

It was really funny.

And I said, well, I might go, but I'm not going to commit to anything.

And I didn't tell them I was coming, but I wanted to hear her.

And so I had a friend of mine who used to be my, chief recovery officer, Jamica Patrick.

We went and I said, we're not going to sit down.

We're going to stand by the door because we're going to stay about 30 minutes.

And as she talked and I listened to what she was saying, we ended up staying in its entirety.

And I remember she said to me, the more she talks, the more I like her.

And I said, yeah, I did, you know so I'd like to hear her again.

So I went to Detroit to hear her because I wanted to go to a different environment, different people, and see what is the message and how is she received.

So I went to Detroit and I said, And then we sat, we met and talked.

So what was the message that grabbed you?

What I liked was there are a few she seemed genuine.

And we need some people that are genuine that want to get in there and do the right thing.

And that was what I got from her.

I liked her, her message around, we talked about economic development and some things that needed to happen.

We were talking, you know, and as we continue to talk, I just saw not only a genuineness, I saw someone that wasn't wasn't scared.

And we need some people in there that are not scared to go in and speak up and speak out, because sometimes you have to stand alone.

But she didn't, you know, she had that kind of tenacity and that grit.

Kind of like how we described Flintstones.

You all, you know what you all might say about people from Detroit.

I saw that grit in her, and I really liked that.

But also was the follow through everything that, she has said she is going to do as far as, working with us in Flint, she had, they've done it.

And that's important when someone does what they say they're going to do, because that's how, you know, if they're going to get in there, or at least it's an indication of, you know, when you see them crossing all of their T's and dotting their I like they say, that's a pattern, and that's what you expect to see when they get there.

And I appreciate somebody that does what they say they're going to do.

And I like how she has been very inclusive.

I've come down here, to Lansing to hear her and watched her interact with the people.

And I also like that she takes questions from the audience.

It's not a scripted thing.

It's like, you have a question, let's hear it.

And she wasn't scared to address the crowd, and they seemed to really embrace her.

And, people that I have invited, in fact, I'll be down here again next week, hosting an event for her.

And so the people that I have invited and that have heard her, she has really, you know, captured them and they've said, I like what she's talking about, and she's doing rather well.

I have to say.

Are you a delegat to the convention this weekend?

I will be there.

Okay.

And who are you supporting for attorney general?

Secretary of state?

For secretary of state?

I am supporting Garlin.

Gilchrist, for attorney general.

That's a very good one.

Coin flip still?

Yeah.

Yeah.

because you know what?

It's funny because I know i Karen McDonald that is running.

but I've been hearing mor about Eli Savit, and it's like, you know, and as I was listening to you all talk earlier when you were saying this, this could be a dog fight.

It could because, every da there's been more and more from him and I. And so I'm paying attention.

And so I'm looking forward to being at this convention because I want to be up close and personal and hear what they're going to do.

And I'm hoping it's going to be I think this will be an exciting one, because I've been to these conventions before where it's where Democrats.

Yay.

They're Republicans.

Boo.

But tell me why I'm giving you my vote because I expect something in return for it.

And so I'm looking forward to hearing what you know, what he's saying.

And Secretary of State, we've heard a lot about experience.

And Barb Byrum has been running elections in Ingham County for a dozen years.

Okay.

and Suzanna Shkreli and and Garlin Gilchrist have never run an election.

I mean, why why why wh pick Gilchrist over Byrum here?

You know what?

I have confidence in him.

You know, I think that's that he can do the job.

And he's got a record as well.

He's got a record as well.

And so I think he deserves this opportunity.

Now, now do you think I could go to the to the conference and hear something say that?

Not voting that way.

But no, I do I, I respect him and I want to see him do this and I want to see him do well at this, because that's going to be a positio to have with the next elections that will be coming up after that.

So you better have some tough skin, that's for sure.

I'm curious, you know, since you're supporting the Duggan, the Duggan Independent campaign at the same time, you still consider yourself a Democrat.

You're a delegate at this convention.

This weekend.

I'm wondering when you look at statewide candidates and you wan you're saying you want to see it more than just, you know, I'm a Democrat.

Vote for me.

I'm a Republican.

Don't vote for them.

What characteristic do you think it's going to take for Democratic candidates to win a statewide election?

And what do you thin the moment calls for right now?

I think the moment calls for some truth and honesty and transparency.

Tell me what you're going to do.

You know, even when, I hoste the meet and greet for Duggan.

And one of the things I said is he's here.

You know, everybody that was there.

I don't know if they were going to support him or not.

I was hoping that they would.

And I wanted them to hear his message.

But when somebody is asking you for your vote, you ask them what do I get if I give you my vote?

And that's what I want to hear.

And that's what people want to hear.

They want to hear a message of hope.

People want some unity, you know?

I mean, because we can't do anything all splintered like this.

And so people want hope.

People want, unity.

People want some honesty, and they want to know that they're putting people in office that are going to hav their voice and have their back.

And that's what I think.

And there was some excitement and some energy.

We can't keep doing business as usual.

I've been to some and I remember looking around and I'm like, I'm bored.

And so I'm looking.

I'm like, the young people have to b bored because I'm bored and I. We shouldn't be at those kinds of conventions and be bored.

We should be energized.

We should be excited.

We should have a there should be a call to action.

And we say yes, because you were talking earlier about how do we get people out to vote and th and the, the ages that go out.

And I think we I mean, if we don't get some young people to the vote because this is about them and this is about their futur and this is about their parents and their grandparents and their children.

And so I think we need to to really, you know, hone in on that.

And we can't like I said, we can't do business as usual if we want to get people excited and energize and out to those polls to vote, because that's the only way we're going to do it.

Do you think Democrats are currently doing that in Michigan with a positive message, an exciting message?

You know, it's been a little bit more exciting, because and it's interesting because things are like we talked about or you all talked about earlier as I was.

I mean, things are so close for some of them.

And so I think that's exciting.

it's exciting to me.

And so when I go out and talk to people, I think you need peopl that are out there that can get people excited as wel and tell them why this matters.

You know, because a lot of times people don't they don't understand how to connect these dots.

Well, what difference does it make?

What does the senator do?

even an educating people about why they're important?

Because, sometimes we were talking and some of the things they were asking, that is not even the governor's role.

That is no the governor's responsibility.

And so you need to get excited about, okay, here's what they do for you, and here's how we take care of things locally.

And so I think the more w educate people about government and why all of these, you know, elected officials are important, maybe they can get excited.

That's what I'm hoping.

So what do you think about th Republican ticket for governor?

I try not to think about that too much, but I do have to think about what do we do to win?

So you're talking about James and Johnson.

Johnson.

James and Johnson.

Mike Cox?

Yeah.

Doesn't excite you?

No.

Woould you think Perry- Bu but but here's the other thing.

And it's not just the Republica ticket that doesn't excite me.

It's obvious the Democrati ticket doesn't excite me either.

So I feel that way on both sides.

Do you think Mr.

Johnson' trying to buy this nomination?

Well, a lot of people try to buy a nomination, so that wouldn't be a surprise.

They do.

Well on that note, we just wrap up here.

Put a ribbon on it and Ill go fix my phone.

All right.

Madam mayor, thanks for being with us on Off The Record.

Oh, thank you for having me.

Delight to see you again.

Same here.