Watch CBS News

Southfield Mayoral Candidate Denies Connection To Racist Fliers, Homophobic Signs

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - A candidate for mayor of Southfield is denying that she had anything to do with defaced campaign signs or racist fliers circulating in the city.

A Southfield is alleging that Southfield City Council President and mayoral candidate Sylvia Jordan who is black, says she's not behind it; nor does she know who is.

"The individual (making the accusations) is a supporter of my opponent," she told WWJ's Newsradio 950's Zahra Huber. "And, secondly, I nor my campaign staff, nor anybody associated with my campaign, nor did I authorize anyone to do such a despicable act with the racist and the homophobic fliers."

The flier reading: "Let's get the blacks out of Southfield in November...Let's take back our city" along with photos of five white Southfield officials, including current mayor Donald Fracassi, popped up in August.

This latest comes after 57-year-old Stephanie English, held a press conference Monday, the Oakland Press reports, attempting to link Jordan with racist fliers and the recent defacing of her opponent's campaign signs with homophobic slurs.

"If there are 10 pieces to solve this puzzle and I have 7.85 that point to Sylvia Jordan, then my data is substantial," English said.

Jordan's opponent, Ken Siver, said he, too, has no idea who is behind the fliers or the damaged signs; and all pictured on the flier have denied any knowledge of its origins.

Jordan is asking anyone who may have information to speak with police who are investigating the matter.

"This is a diversion," Jordan said. "This is an attempt to divert from the issues and it's unfortunate that those fliers were circulated in our community, and it's unfortunate that my opponent's signed were defaced."

"However," she added, "I've never been a part of any racial or homophobic actions and all, and so...it's just unfortunate."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.