Candidate: Marysville should be kept as white "as possible"

MARYSVILLE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A city council hopeful in Marysville stunned the audience at a Meet the Candidates forum. 

Jean Cramer was asked how she felt about diversity, and whether the city should do more to attract foreign-born citizens. Her response - "My suggestion, recommendation, keep Marysville a white community as much as possible."

The crowd was fairly shocked by her response. It was followed by stunned silence from the audience, who say those views do not represent the city of Marysville.

Cramer is one of five candidates vying for three open seats on the council in the November election.

After the forum, Cramer told The Times Herald in Port Huron that she's not "against blacks" but believes married couples "need to be the same race."

Mayor Dan Damman, who isn't running for re-election, says Cramer's comments were "vile" and "jaw-dropping." Council member Paul Wessel says Marysville is open to anyone who arrives in the city.

Marysville is a city in St. Clair County, about 55 miles northeast of Detroit. More than 90% of Marysville's 9,700-person population is white.

The Associated Press contributed to this report