Detroit’s Former Mayor to Speak at Oakland County GOP gathering
Former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick is all set to take the stage as a speaker at the Oakland County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Kilpatrick, who was released early from prison, thanks to the intervention of former President Donald Trump, will be in the spotlight at the gathering next week.
The Oakland County Republican Party Chairman, Vance Patrick, took to social media to share the news about Kilpatrick’s appearance at the event on Aug. 21 at Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi. With just over a couple of months before the Nov. 5 election, this event is bound to get a lot of attention.
Joining him will be Ben Carson, another figure from Detroit who served as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during Trump’s term. As the keynote speaker of the event, he is expected to draw in a lot of the crowd. And if you’re thinking of catching this in person, a regular ticket will cost you $125.
According to Patrick, Kilpatrick, who found his faith while in prison, will be speaking about his repentance and redemption. He feels that it’s a message that will resonate with everyone hearing it. By involving Kilpatrick in the event, the Oakland GOP emphasizes on their stand stating, “The GOP is inclusive, not exclusive.”
This event is significant as it is held in Michigan’s second largest county, Oakland County. As the county might be pivotal in deciding the winner of the state’s 15 electoral votes, the attention is really mounting on who’s saying what.
Once a shining star in Michigan’s Democratic political scene, Kilpatrick had a significant fall from grace when he was charged and subsequently convicted in 2013 in a corruption case involving extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and fraud, his charges spanned over a decade. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison, a strong sentence that still happens to be the longest one ever given out in a federal corruption case.
As one of his last actions as President, Trump commuted Kilpatrick’s sentence, facilitating his release from prison 16 years prior to his slated release date. In return, Kilpatrick endorsed Trump for president and has been seen attending GOP events since his release.
During his trial, Kilpatrick and a contractor named Bobby Ferguson were found guilty of using government contracts as a source to fund their luxurious lifestyle.
Kilpatrick, who was the Mayor of Detroit from 2002-2008, has been in a battle with federal prosecutors, as he fights against restitution sum of nearly $825,000 that he owes to taxpayers from his federal corruption conviction. His claim is that about $6,700 found during a hunt by the prosecutors, is exempt from collection.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
