Detroit Today discusses the crowded 13th Congressional District primary race
A political consultant and reporter explain what distinguishes the nine candidates running for the 13th Congressional District seat.
Politics can often feel alienated and far away. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like an open, democratic — something with little relation to voters. But that’s not true because every couple years we get a new chance to reassess our representatives and decide whether we want to keep them in office or move on to someone else.
If you live in the 13th Congressional District, everyone will get that opportunity. That’s because Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence is retiring, leaving the seat open. And the race, thus far, has been hot. There are nine candidates running for the seat, including state representative Shri Thanedar, state Senator Adam Hollier, CEO of Focus Hope Portia Roberson, civil rights attorney Michael Griffie, and John Conyers III.
Only a week away, the primary race appears to be anyone’s game in this newly drawn district.
Listen: Who’s leading the crowded field of the 13th Congressional District primary race
Guest
Mario Morrow is the CEO of political consultant firm Mario Morrow and Associates. He says that many Detroit voters will likely split their vote, leading to voters in the surrounding suburbs to dictate ultimately who wins the race.
“So, the Grosse Pointes and the downriver communities that are in the 13th will, in my opinion, be the determinating factor for who is going to represent the 13th,” says Morrow.
Eli Newman is a reporter and producer for 101.9 WDET, covering breaking news, politics and community affairs. He says Detroit voters are concerned about having their ticket split because there are so many candidates.
“Those concerns about splitting the ticket. I mean, I think that has been echoed by the institutionalized Democratic voices, the people who have really understood politics,” says Newman.
