When do political endorsements conflict with political stances and policy positions?

Yesterday on social media I saw a political endorsement that was both confusing and infuriating.

Grand Rapids City Commissioner Lisa Knight wrote a statement endorsing Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The statement reads:

“Abdul El-Sayed embodies a rare, profound love for humanity that shines through every aspect of his leadership. His visionary approach to Michigan’s future does not just anticipate the challenges of tomorrow – it actively builds a more just, healthy, and equitable state where no community is left behind.

I am proud to endorse Abdul because he leads with deep empathy, unwavering integrity, and a bold commitment to elevating the lives of all Michiganders.”

The statement is very nice, positive and upbeat, but it leaves out actually policy proposals from Abdul, such as his position that ICE should be abolished, that he emphatically opposing US military aid and weapons sales to Israel, and he wants to see Medicare for All become a reality.

I say this not so much to champion Abdul, but to make a point about these political position and where Grand Rapids City Commissioner Lisa Knight stands.

The Israeli genocidal campaign being waged against the Palestinians began in October 2023, which was the first year that Commissioner Knight was in office. There were constant calls from the community to get the Grand Rapids City Commission to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Those demanding solidarity with the Palestinians also pressured the City of Grand Rapids on other aspects aspects of the genocide, even pushing for a divestment campaign that the Community Relations Commission endorsed. Commissioner Knight did not support a ceasefire resolution or the divestment effort.

Since January of 2025 Movimiento Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE have demanded that the city of Grand Rapids adopt 6 sanctuary policies, policies that would not allow the city to collaborate or cooperate with ICE. Commissioner Knight has refused to support these demands.

In addition, there have been organized efforts to reduce the amount of money going to the GRPD because of killing of residents by the GRPD. Beginning with Patrick Lyoya, followed by Hank Wymer and more recently Da’Quain Johnson. Commissioner Knight has refused to support the demands for justice around the GRPD killings and broader GRPD practices in mostly Black and Brown neighborhoods.

I found out about this endorsement as it is on Abdul’s Facebook page. Abdul wrote above the endorsement images, “Grateful to earn the endorsement of Grand Rapids City Commissioner Lisa Knight!” Really? My question would be why would Abdul be grateful for Commissioner Knight’s endorsement when they don’t share some of the same stances on major issues?

Another question to ask is, are there people on Abdul’s team in Grand Rapids that aren’t communicating this information about the policy positions that Commissioner Knight has refused to take, positions that are being asked by affected communities, activists and organizers?

Are the people in Grand Rapids who are part of Abdul’s campaign encouraging him to talk with the mother of Da’Quain Johnson or groups like Movimiento Cosecha or GR Rapid Response to ICE, the very people who are on the ground and in the streets doing the hard movement building work?

Candidates should never accept endorsements for endorsement sake, but treat them as a principled measuring stick around the political stances and policy positions they claim to stand for. Accepting endorsements from questionable candidates helps create the lesser of evil kind of political culture that we have to stop participating in.