Clerk Janice Winfrey
Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, who has name recognition in the city, says she plans to challenge Rep. John Conyers in the 2016 election, the Detroit News reports.
Political observers have long said that Conyers, 86, is vulnerable, and some have questioned his effectiveness as a Congressman as he gets up there in years.
Winfrey, 57, who has been the city clerk since 2005, told the Detroit News that congressman is “vulnerable.”
“For me it’s important that we protect the seat,” Winfrey said, according to a report by Leonard Fleming of Detroit News. “We know that the honorable John Conyers is vulnerable, and I need to protect my community. And in protecting my community means throwing my hat in this race, and I do it with my hat in my hand.”
Conyers represents the 13th Congressional District, which includes cities outside of Detroit like Dearborn Heights and Melvindale.
Conyers, who has served in Congress since 1965, appeared vulnerable in the last election. However, he fared rather well, and if he runs, he would likely remain a formidable opponent.
He defeated Republican Jeff Gorman in the general election 79 percent-16 percent after defeating Detroit Rev. Horace Sheffield 74 percent-26 percent in the Democratic primary, the News reports.
The News reports:
Eric Foster, a longtime political consultant, said although it may be time for an “electoral change in that seat,” Winfrey and any other candidates from Detroit “are going to have a difficult time getting the traction inside the city and galvanize the non-Detroit vote.”
“It is open (season) to vote against John Conyers,” Foster said. “But they are not necessarily going to galvanize behind a Detroit candidate. It’s going to be a challenge for her.”
