The Stud is a Dud

He stopped wearing the earring during his 2001 campaign after a poll showed that women ages 40 to 55 didn't like it. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, also known as "Big Diamond", due to the rather large gem in his left ear, has decided to stop wearing his trademark diamond earring. 35-year-old Kilpatrick, who is locked in a tight race for re-election, said, "As long as I'm mayor of this town, I'll never put it back in." Kilpatrick showed up without the stud Wednesday at a church event organized to announce his endorsement by several religious leaders. He also removed the earring two weeks ago before addressing a group of business leaders.

Before becoming mayor in 2001 Kilpatrick served as a Democratic member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, becoming the first African American to lead any party in the Michigan Legislature.

Kilpatrick earned a teaching certification and a Bachelor's of Science in political science from Florida A&M University where he was also the captain of the football team. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law. Kilpatrick says despite his education, legislative and political experience the earring has overshadowed all of his positive accomplishments.