MI-13: Decision Still Pending

​When Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit) resigned his seat in the House early last year, Gov. Rick Snyder (R) scheduled the replacement special election to run concurrently with the regular election schedule.  As a result, because not every candidate who filed for the regular election also filed for the special, two separate people won the special and regular election contests.  Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones (D) won the special election, but former state Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) claimed the seat for the succeeding Congress.  Therefore, Ms. Jones is in a position where she might have to forfeit her city position to serve in Congress for just one month.
 
Ms. Jones petitioned the House Administration Committee, asking for a waiver to be able to serve in the lame duck session without being forced to resign her local position.  The Committee referred the decision to Speaker Paul Ryan (R), who has yet to rule.  Ms. Jones, should she not be granted the waiver, is not inclined to accept the congressional office for such a short term if the price is to relinquish her local power.  Mr. Ryan’s decision is expected imminently.