Conyers Ex-Foe Wants Michigan to Hold Special Election Now

When John Conyers retired from the U.S. House of Representatives officially on Dec. 5, 2017, an unprecedented situation took place. The 705,094 residents in the 13th congressional district of Michigan, which is 56 percent Black, have no representative who can advocate on behalf of their interests. Unlike the U.S. Senate, in which the governor of the state picks the successor, the U.S. Constitution mandates that all vacancies be filled by [special] election. However, that hasn’t stopped Detroit attorney Michael Gilmore, who filed to be a candidate for the office before Conyers resigned because of health reasons last year. “Staff members of Representative Conyers remain on the House payroll under the supervision of the Clerk of the House to receive and undertake constituent casework, to help in handling business with the departments of the executive branch of the government, to provide general status information on pending legislation, and to offer other general constituent services provided by House offices,” the Dec. 6, 2017, news release said. In these types of situations, constituents are advised to contact their senators on political issues or a nearby congressional office which would be Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.).