United States Congress: In the U.S. Senate, MI Senator Debbie Stabenow is up for re-election in 2012. She will not have a democratic primary. Possible Republican challengers include former Congressman Pete Hoekstra and Clark Durant. The U.S. House of Representatives will see a considerable turnover. Michigan lost one congressional seat after the latest U.S. Census reducing the total number to 14.
To date, the following candidates declared their intention to run for the Congressional seats:
14th District: Congressman Gary Peters (D); Congressman Hansen Clarke (D)
13th District: State Senator Bert Johnson (D); State Representative Shanelle Jackson (D)
5th District: Congressman Dale Kildee (D) is retiring and the following have declared their intention to run: Dan Kildee (Kildee’s nephew); former State Representative Jim Slezak who also switched to the Republican party; State Senator John Gleason (D); and former State Senator Jim Barcia (D)
9th District: Sander Levin (D)
11th District: State Senator Mike Kowall (R)
Michigan Legislature:
Michigan Senate: Next election will take place November 4, 2014.
In the Michigan House of Representatives, the following 15 State Representatives are term limited:
Democrats: Bauer (D-68); Byrum (D-67); Constan (D-16); Hammel (D-48); Jackson(D-9); LeBlanc (D-18); Lindberg (D-109); Meadows (D-69); Melton (D-29) who resigned;
Republicans: Agema (R-74); Gilbert (R-81); Horn (R-94); Knollenberg (R-41); Moss(R-40); Opsommer (R-93)
All other State Representatives are eligible to run for reelection in 2012 in the reconfigured districts.
2012 will see significantly more developments in the State and Congressional races. The MAB will continue to monitor and report on all the upcoming political races.