Kwame's Scandal Impacts Mother's Political Pursuits

The Associated Press

For a dozen years, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick has routinely defeated all opponents in the Detroit-area congressional district she represents.

But a text-messaging scandal involving her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, could help her two challengers link the congresswoman to turmoil at city hall — and serve as a referendum on the mayor's conduct.

"She continues to defend her son, enabling him to fail," said former state Rep. Mary Waters, one of the challengers. "How can you continue to justify that behavior?"

The three-way primary in August will all but determine the winner in the heavily Democratic district. Kilpatrick, leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, has faced only token opposition during the past decade.