MI-13: A Resignation

Last week an erroneous report from the New York Daily News and others stated that the Dean of the US House, embattled Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit), had decided not to seek re-election next year.  That story was quickly refuted, but yesterday the 53-year congressional veteran went a step further than simply not appearing on the 2018 ballot as he resigned the seat, effective immediately.  This means that Gov. Rick Snyder (R) will call a special election to fill the new vacancy for sometime early next year. 
 
In his resignation announcement, Rep. Conyers endorsed his son, John Conyers III, a partner in a hedge fund investment group, as his successor.  Another Conyers relative, the Congressman’s nephew, state Sen. Ian Conyers (D-Detroit), also declared his own candidacy for the 13th District.  The seat’s electorate, which voted 79% for Hillary Clinton and supported President Obama in 2012 with an 85.2 vote percentage, will remain in Democratic hands regardless if a Conyers family member or another future candidate secures the special election party nomination.

--Jim Ellis