Benton Harbor's Mayoral debate at the Public Library on Tuesday saw five of the six candidates attend another debate

BENTON HARBOR, Mich – The six Benton Harbor Mayoral candidates attended a debate on Tuesday, but they did not all attend the same debate. 

The debate that was held at the Benton Harbor Public Library on Tuesday evening only saw Mayor Marcus Muhammad attend the debate that turned into a discussion about the issues facing the city with moderator Brenda Layne  

The Benton Harbor Public Library Board President Mamie Yarbrough read a statement alleging that one of the debates sponsors Gwen Swanigan endorsed a candidate.

“Benton Harbor Public Library its employees and volunteers can not publicly endorse any candidate due to this we must end our volunteer relationship with you as it pertains to the moderated townhall debate,” Yarbrough said. 

ABC57 learned that Ms. Swanigan hosted a debate across town that she promoted and the five other candidates attended. 

ABC57 spoke with one of the candidates that attended the other debate and is the candidate that Swanigan is allegedly supporting. 

“I got an invitation from Ms. Gwen Swanigan to participate in a debate that was supposed to be at the library then I got notification it was moved to 275 Pipestone so that’s where I showed up,” Benton Harbor Mayoral candidate Ron Singleton said. 

Despite the change of plans the debate held at the Benton Harbor Public Library saw the moderator and the public ask Benton Harbor’s Mayor Marcus Muhammad answer questions about the city’s infrastructure, educational system, and housing.