Democratic candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for the resignation of Gov. Rick Snyder for his handling of the lead-pollution crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Sanders had previously called for Snyder’s resignation, but Sunday night’s debate in Michigan was the first time both called for his resignation.
“The governor of this state should understand his dereliction of duty was irresponsible. He should resign,” Sanders said. “It’s beyond belief that children in Flint, Michigan in the United States of America in the year 2016 are being poisoned,” Sanders said. “That is clearly not what this country should be about.”
“Amen to that,” Clinton said, agreeing with Sanders’ statement. “The governor should resign or be recalled and we should support the efforts of citizens attempting to achieve that. But that is not enough.”
“What is more important than the health and well-being of the people— particularly children? It is raining lead in Flint, and the state is derelict and not coming forward with the money that is required.”
Governor Snyder made his case via Twitter.
“This was never about money. This was a failure of government at all levels that could be described as a massive error of bureaucracy,” Snyder wrote.