From Hollywood to the Heart of Michigan: Hill Harper Shares Why he’s Running for U.S. Senate – Essence

In a candid conversation just before Election Day in Michigan, renowned actor, activist and now Senate candidate Hill Harper shared his motivations for entering politics and his vision for addressing key issues if elected. Harper says his move from Hollywood to politics shouldn’t be just a private transformation; it is a response to urgent needs he sees in Michigan and across the country.

A well-recognized face on screen and the writer of several books, Harper has been a Michigan resident for eight years. He shared that his decision to run as a Democratic candidate for Senate is deeply personal and rooted in his experiences in the community. “I moved to Michigan to raise my son, who is now eight,” Harper began. “I’m running for office because so many people are hurting. We have communities that are being stifled. And I say that without exaggeration or hyperbole,” he continued.

Harper has said his campaign is driven by a desire to address the economic hardships and systemic problems affecting Michiganders. He described recently meeting with a family in Detroit and being confronted with their difficult living conditions, including an apartment affected by black mold and no running water. Harper has criticized the current system, citing excessive spending on foreign wars and company tax breaks as misplaced priorities. Instead, he said, “We need to redirect funds to public education, health care and supporting young entrepreneurs.”

His vision includes interest-free loans for business ventures and investments in underserved communities. Health care is a cornerstone of Harper’s platform. He criticizes the current system as a “sick care system” moderately than a health care system, specializing in the profit motives of big pharmaceutical firms.

Harper supports Medicare for All, emphasizing that it should cover mental health, vision and dental care. He is especially concerned about black maternal health, which he described as a crisis comparable to conditions in developing countries. “We need to eliminate profiteering from health care and ensure that everyone has access to the health services they need,” he said.

“We need to take away people’s profits from being sick or from their so-called health care,” he said. On reproductive rights, Harper was adamant that “government should not interfere in personal health care decisions.” Part of that, he said, is women’s reproductive freedom. “I don’t believe that the federal or state government, or any government, should be part of the conversation between a woman, her own body, and her licensed health care provider,” Harper said.

On environmental justice, Harper highlighted Michigan’s water problems, particularly the Flint water crisis. He noted that Flint still doesn’t have clean water a decade after the crisis began, calling it “outrageous.” Harper advocates for comprehensive measures to address water contamination and pollution. “Michigan has 21 percent of the world’s surface freshwater. We need to protect it and invest in clean water infrastructure.”

He envisions Flint as a model for environmental restoration, suggesting it could change into a pacesetter in water quality and tourism. Harper also highlighted the broader issue of environmental damage that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

Harper expressed frustration over the cancellation of a late-July primary debate together with his opponent, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, on WHPR-TV. Harper claims that Slotkin has repeatedly withdrawn from multiple debates and created a “mock debate” scheduled for a weekday morning at 10 a.m. that might not be televised.

Harper stressed that black women, who make up a significant slice of the Democratic electorate, have been excluded from participating as journalists. A bunch of black women stressed the importance of including their voices, on condition that the Senate seat is the first truly open seat in Michigan in nearly 30 years. Still, Harper says the debate was canceled and that he was unfairly blamed.

“It’s mind-boggling to me — the audacity of this person, my opponent, to have pulled out of multiple debates,” Harper said. “The level of disrespect for our community from my opponent and the level of disrespect for black women… The only way we’re ever going to get any respect is if we win these seats.”

Asked why Michiganders should elect him, Harper said he wouldn’t be “bought, bullied or intimidated” and that he would represent them. “If you want someone who is going to represent the people first, the first three words of the Michigan Constitution and the first three words of the United States Constitution are exactly the same. We the people… and that’s what I do,” Harper said.
Watch the full interview HERE.