U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) endorsed Thursday U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Waterford Township) in her Democratic primary race against U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) in Michigan’s new 11th district.
In January, Lawrence announced that 2022 would be her final year in Congress, opting not to run for re-election and retire after serving four terms. She said Thursday that serving Michiganders in Congress has been the honor of her life.
Lawrence, who joined Stevens for a tour of black-owned businesses in downtown Pontiac Thursday morning, said she’s endorsing the two-term congresswoman because Stevens has the compassion, understanding, and the best track record to serve residents in the new 11th.
The endorsement is a critical one with much of Lawrence’s 14th district included in the newly-drawn 11th district, including the communities of Pontiac, Oak Park, West Bloomfield, and Farmington Hills.
“I know a fighter when I see one, and that’s why I am proud to announce my endorsement of Congresswoman Stevens, the strongest Democrat in the race,” said Lawrence. “As Chief of Staff to Obama’s auto rescue and now as a Member of Congress, Haley has been working to keep good manufacturing jobs in Michigan, get the cost of health care down, advocate for STEM education, and protect a woman’s right to choose.”
Lawrence added that Stevens, with her manufacturing and workforce development background, embodies what it means to be a public servant with her strong work ethic and “her unparelleled ability to listen to different communities and reach across the aisle.”
Around 46% of Stevens current constituents live in the new 11th while 26% of Levin’s current constituents live in the new district. Around 70% of Levin’s current constituents live in the new 10th district, which is mostly in Macomb County aside from Rochester and Rochester Hills.
Stevens said she’s honored to receive Lawrence’s endorsement.
“She has been a fierce champion for the people of Oakland County. She has been steadfast in her commitment to delivering for working families and inspiring the next generation of leaders,” she said. “I am proud to carry Congresswoman Lawrence’s legacy of relentless advocacy for her constituents all the while keeping focused on manufacturing and innovation to benefit my constituents, new and old.”
With Michigan losing one Congressional seat, from 14 down to 13, due to 10-year population changes, it was expected that at least one new district would include incumbents running against each other.
Within hours of the new districts being approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Dec. 28, both Stevens and Levin declared their candidacy in the new 11th, their home district.
The 11th District Democratic primary race is expected to be a tight one. Both Levin and Stevens will have their work cut out for them with many voters in the new 11th District having never had the chance to vote for them before in communities such as White Lake, Waterford, Farmington Hills, and Pontiac.
Levin, with his union background, has collected several recent endorsements including that of the Communications Workers of America, the Service Employees International Union, and Utility Workers Union of America.
He has also been endorsed by Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, who ran against Stevens in the 2018 Democratic primary in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District.
