In a riveting twist, actor Hill Harper is throwing his hat into the ring for a Michigan Senate seat, touting himself as a bona fide progressive in a fiercely competitive primary. But here’s where it gets interesting – Harper’s progressive pitch clashes with his past as a longtime promotional speaker for none other than Wells Fargo.
Let’s dive into the backstory: Harper’s rendezvous with Wells Fargo began in 2010, amidst the chaotic aftermath of the financial crash. He took center stage at events specifically targeted towards Black communities. Coincidentally, during that very same time frame, Wells Fargo found itself embroiled in a blockbuster lawsuit from the Department of Justice over its discriminatory lending practices. The fallout? A whopping $175 million settlement in 2012.
Yet, Harper’s association with Wells Fargo didn’t stop there. He continued to make appearances at Wells Fargo events, even taking to social media to champion the company, primarily focusing on the realm of financial literacy. In a stunning revelation, Harper even acknowledged narrating a commercial for Wells Fargo in 2011.
Fast forward to days before his Senate bid announcement, Harper sang praises for Wells Fargo, calling it “a really wonderfully run company” during an interview. He portrayed the company’s leadership in a favorable light. Intriguingly, this interview also marked the end of Harper’s tenure as a “financial ambassador” for Wells Fargo, as it was advertised that he had “recently completed” this role.
Now, the plot thickens. Harper’s close ties with Wells Fargo stand in stark contrast to the prevailing progressive sentiment. Big banks have long been targets of left-leaning criticism, especially in Michigan, which suffered immensely from the 2008 financial crisis, leading to widespread foreclosures in Detroit. On Capitol Hill, progressive senators have consistently pushed for stricter regulations on banks, including Wells Fargo.
During Harper’s affiliation with Wells Fargo, the company faced allegations of redlining and union busting, further complicating the narrative.
But hold onto your seats; there’s more to this drama. Since declaring his Senate bid, Harper has been emphasizing his pro-union stance as a member of the SAG-AFTRA guild, currently embroiled in a strike. His Senate launch message paints him as a champion of “social justice and economic dignity.”
So, how does Harper respond to the brewing controversy? According to a spokesperson, Harper participates in numerous speaking events throughout the year, catering to non-profits, foundations, community organizations, and corporations, including notable entities like the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan and the National Urban League. These events, they assert, aimed at empowering young Black individuals through financial literacy and education.
In the Senate, Harper vows to stand as a staunch advocate for restoring Glass-Steagall banking regulations and enacting legislation to combat predatory lending, junk fees, and redlining.
Yet, Harper’s team remains tight-lipped about the extent of financial support he received from Wells Fargo over the years or the contractual terms of their relationship. Harper has also not yet released the financial disclosures mandated for Senate candidates.
As for Wells Fargo, when questioned about its association with Harper, the company offered a rather cryptic response, noting that many companies, including Wells Fargo, regularly collaborate with social influencers and experts to amplify messages and reach wider audiences.
The intrigue surrounding Harper’s candidacy doesn’t stop here. Residency questions have already cast a shadow over his bid, and he faces a fierce primary challenge from Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who’s been racking up early endorsements from Democratic lawmakers. While Michigan leans favorably for Democrats in the upcoming cycle, Republicans are gearing up to make their mark, with former Rep. Mike Rogers also entering the Senate race, albeit with some residency questions of his own.
Buckle up, folks; this political thriller is just getting started.
