Why Won’t There Be A Special Election to Fill Conyers’ Seat Until November?

What will this mean for people of the 13th District who won’t have representation in Congress for that year?

Jake Neher/WDET

We now have dates set for elections to fill the seat in Congress vacated by former Congressman John Conyers (D-Detroit).

But that general election won’t happen until next November. The primary will be held in August of 2018. That means the seat will remain empty for almost an entire year.

Why not call the election sooner?

What will this mean for people of the 13th District here in Michigan who won’t have representation in Congress for that year? What will it mean for Michigan and Midwest issues — such as Great Lakes funding — that are important to the governor and all Michiganders?

Click here to hear a conversation on Detroit Today about who might be running to replace Conyers in Congress

Anna Heaton, Gov. Rick Snyder’s press secretary, joins Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to talk about the governor’s decision on the timing of the special election. Rick Pluta, state Capitol bureau chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network also joins the program to talk about the history, politics, and practical considerations involved with calling special elections to fill vacated congressional seats in Michigan.

Click on the audio player above to hear the full conversation.

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.