Michigan’s 14th Congressional District

A Voter’s Guide to the 14th Congressional Race

Graphic by Melissa Mason

The Democratic incumbent, Rep. Brenda Lawrence, and Republican Howard Klausner are joined on the ballot by Libertarian Gregory Creswell and Green Party candidate Marcia Squier.

It’s a district that’s voted overwhelmingly Democratic in previous Congressional elections.

A bit of history: Then-Rep. Gary Peters vacated the seat in 2014 when he was elected to represent all of Michigan in the U.S. Senate. Lawrence replaced him, garnering nearly 80 percent of the vote in the general election. Named one of the most gerrymandered districts in the country, Michigan’s 14th includes neighborhoods with some of the lowest and highest incomes in the state in both Oakland and Wayne counties.

Lawrence defeated two Democratic challengers in the August primary. Klausner ran unopposed.

 

congress.gov

More about the Candidates:

Democratic Incumbent Brenda Lawrence

Detroit native Brenda Lawrence was the first woman and black mayor of Southfield. In 2014, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where she is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Here’s her response to WDET’s questionnaire in the primary. 

Lawrence’s Campaign Website

Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @RepLawrence


   

Klausner for Congress

Republican Howard Klausner

Klausner, a medical doctor, lists his priorities as national security, health care and the economy. An emergency room physician, he says he understands health care “better than most” and that he will work to improve the nation’s health care system. A few years ago, Klausner led a study that found Michigan’s emergency departments had improved their preparedness for disasters. 

He recently spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley.

Here is Klausner’s Campaign Website.

Follow him on Facebook.

Libertarian Gregory Creswell

Creswell is from Detroit and says one of his objectives is to repeal the 16th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which gave the government the power to levy income taxes. He also would rescind all federal fees, licenses and permits, as well as 99 percent of current federal regulations. 

Creswell’s Campaign Website

Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @4creswell

Green Party candidate Marcia Squier

Squier’s Campaign Website

About the Voters

Population 698,206
Age Distribution: 18-34 22%
Age Distribution: 35-59 33.6%
Age Distribution: 60+ 20.4%
Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%
Race

White: 34.2%
Black: 57.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3%
Asian: 4.2%
Some other race: 1.1%
Two or more: 2.9%
Hispanic or Latino: 4.6%

Foreign-born 9.9%
Education Level

Less than high school graduate: 14.5%
High school graduate: 25.4%
Some college or associate’s degree: 30.6%
Bachelor’s degree: 16.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 13.2%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey,
2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Previous Congressional Election Results

2014 General Election

Christina Barr (R) – 19.67%
Brenda Lawrence (D) – 77.79%

2012 General Election

John Hauler (R) – 15.63%
Gary Peters (D) – 82.26%

WDET’s Coverage of the 14th Congressional District

WDET’s 2016 Primary Guide for the 14th Congressional District

Lawrence’s Political Experience Could be a Disadvantage in Primary Race

Know Your Candidates: Dr. Howard Klausner

14th District Could Be an Easy Win for Brenda Lawrence

 

 

Wayne State University Communication Students Clara Ruffin and Cierra Anthony contributed to this coverage.

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