Why is Hendrix really backing Bing?

**kraig** · April-30-09, 09:39 AM

April 30, 2009

Hendrix to back Bing for mayor

By SUZETTE HACKNEY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER Former two-time mayoral candidate Freman Hendrix is expected to endorse Dave Bing at a news conference this morning, according to sources familiar with the campaign.

In an op-ed piece published in today's Detroit Free Press, Hendrix wrote that both mayoral candidates lacked a specific plan to cure Detroit's ills, but he encouraged residents to vote with their gut on Tuesday.

Sources said Hendrix decided to throw his support behind Bing because he believes Bing is the candidate most capable of stabilizing a city in crisis.
Hendrix, a former deputy mayor, was unsuccessful in the Feb. 24 primary. He finished third, with 21,036 votes, behind Bing and Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. Hendrix also lost to ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in the 2005 mayoral election.
Come back to www.freep.com for additional coverage throughout the day.

I actually prefer Hendrix to both candidates, but, I wonder if he's backing Bing as a way to remain relevant for the fall election and feels that Cockrel is goin to win this election.

**spiritofdetroit** · April-30-09, 10:50 AM

that's exactly why.

he cant back Cockrel and then run against him. I think he wouldve been smart to not endorse anyone, but he wants some relevancy

**izzyindetroit** · April-30-09, 11:38 AM

Didn't he announce after the primaries that he wouldn't be running again?

**Hypestyles** · April-30-09, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by izzyindetroit

Didn't he announce after the primaries that he wouldn't be running again?

heh-heh.. how often have we heard that before from someone?

we'll see what happens..

**Lowell** · April-30-09, 12:29 PM

When Cockerel finishes kicking Bing's behind, the door is wide open for Freeman. He can read the polls, so why not line up with Bing and his money? Hendrix will be a stronger candidate against Cockerel IMO, but I think Cockerel will still win.

Unless... so many unpredictables in CoD politics.

**Locke09** · April-30-09, 12:30 PM

There seems to be some momentum behind the idea now that neither candidate is really what Detroit needs. But if Cockrel gets elected, he might be mayor for several terms, given voting habits. But if Bing gets elected, he will likely only serve one full term after this short one, if for no other reason than age. So, vote for Bing and at most we are stuck with a bad mayor for one term.