Michigan Governor Weighs Special Election to Fill Congressional Seat Left Open by Conyers

Dec. 7, 2017

MI Gov. must set special elections to replace ex-U.S. Rep. Conyers, who resigned amid sex harassment allegations.

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Voters in Michigan’s 13th Congressional district will face a special election to fill the seat vacated by one of the longest-serving members ever in the U.S. House, Detroit Democrat John Conyers.

But there are already primary and general elections scheduled for next year.

So where will a special election fit in?

The spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, Fred Woodhams, says that is up to Gov. Rick Snyder.

Woodhams tells WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter the Governor cannot simply appoint someone to fill Conyers’ seat.

Click the audio link above to hear the full interview

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Image credit: Jake Neher/WDET

This post is a part of 2018 Elections in Michigan.

On November 6, Michigan voters will decide who will be the state's new governor, attorney general and secretary of state. Some state House and Senate seats are up for grabs, and numerous initiatives are expected on ballots.

WDET is committed to providing honest, fair, inclusive coverage of Michigan's 2018 elections. Join us now and all the way to the voting booth to be an informed voter.

About the Author

Quinn Klinefelter

Senior News Editor

I grab news in the morning, check the papers and the wires, call sources and take a big gulp of coffee. That’s how I start the day.

qklinefelter@wdet.org