Democrats in Detroit are denouncing a Republican lawmaker quoted in a newspaper as saying the GOP would fare poorly in this year’s elections if it failed to “suppress the Detroit vote.” State Rep. John Pappageorge acknowledged using what he called “a bad choice of words” but said his remark shouldn’t be construed as racist. Pappageorge was quoted in July 16 editions of the Detroit Free Press as saying, “If we do not suppress the Detroit vote, we’re going to have a tough time in this election.” African-Americans make up more than 80 percent of Detroit’s population, and the city routinely gives Democratic candidates a substantial majority of its votes.