An African American pastor in Michigan confronted the leader of the Democratic Party over concerns that he is being edged out by an embrace of far-left politics.
Chris Martin, a black pastor from Flint, pressed Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on the issue on Friday at a meeting in Detroit.
“I am a moderate Democrat, but I do not support abortion. I do not support same-sex marriage,” Martin said, according to the Detroit Free Press. “I have people in my congregations who ask us, ‘How do we preach one thing on Sunday, but then campaign for people who are totally opposed to that?'”
Martin asked, “As an African American pastor and lifelong Democrat? Do I still have a place in this party?”
Perez argued the Democrats have “a very inclusive tent.”
“Because I firmly believe that if the goal is to better the lives of the people in your congregations and your community, then Democrats are a far better choice,” Perez said.
Support among black voters is crucial to any candidate looking to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for president.
In South Carolina over the weekend, former Vice President Joe Biden won nearly two-thirds of the black vote in that state to emerge victorious in the contest, secure 54 delegates, and close the gap with front-runner Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Voters in Michigan head to polls to vote in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, March 10.
