All 15 House incumbents filed for re-election as did U.S. Senator Carl Levin. Overall, Democrats filed for all 15 House districts; Republicans filed for 14 leaving John Conyers (MI-14) unopposed. (In 2006, Democrats filed for 15 seats; Republicans for 13) Mark Schauer in MI-7 drew a primary opponent in 2006 nominee Sharon Renier. Renier gave the best challenge to any Michigan incumbent finishing behind by less than 10,000 votes despite an underfunded campaign. Edward Kriewall and Joseph Larkin will vie for the nomination in MI-11. John Conyers has a primary opponent in Horace Sheffield. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, the mother of embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick drew two primary opponents: Martha Scott and Mary Waters. In related news (pun intended), the Detroit City Council voted 5-4 to request that Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm remove Kwame Kilpatrick from his job as Mayor.
Only one Republican primary will be required: in MI-1 to oppose Democratic incumbent Bart Stupak. Tom Casperson, Linda Goldthorpe, and Don Hooper will vie for the slot. Jack Hoogendyk, Jr. will oppose Carl Levin for the U,S, Senate seat.
The 110 member State House is up for election. Democrats, who had a full legislative slate in 2006 did it again. Republicans left 14 of the 110 seats unopposed.
Democratic candidates:
Senate: Carl Levin (Incumbent)
MI-1: Bart Stupak (Incumbent)
MI-2: Fred Johnson
MI-3: Henry Sanchez
MI-4: Andrew Concannon
MI-5: Dale Kildee (Incumbent)
MI-6: Don Cooney
MI-7: Sharon Renier
Mark Schauer
MI-8: Robert Alexander
MI-9: Gary Peters
MI-10: Robert Denison
MI-11: Edward Kriewall
Joseph Larkin
MI-12: Sander Levin (Incumbent)
MI-13: Carolyn Kilpatrick Cheeks (Incumbent)
Martha Scott
Mary Waters
MI-14: John Conyers (Incumbent)
Horace Sheffield
MI-15: John Dingell (Incumbent)
Dingell is the senior member of the House in terms of seniority (1955 IIRC). Conyers has represented his district since being elected in 1962.
MI was the state we were having the biggest recruiting problems with (given the PVI’s of the districts in question). Nice to see a full slate.
IIRC Democrats need 2 seats to get the state Senate majority. How are things looking there?