After weeks of speculation, Michigan State Sen. Adam Hollier (District 2) announced at a press conference carried by Facebook on Monday that he is officially running for Congress in the 13th Congressional District. Hollier carefully named all 19 cities that make up the 13th Congressional District, saying that “each community in each of the cities need and deserve someone in Congress who represents all of the people.”
“Detroit and Wayne County need a champion in Washington, who listens to the needs of our families,” said Hollier. “I’ll fight to secure funding for career readiness, improve our schools, rebuild our roads and bridges, and bring jobs to our communities.”
Hollier was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. He touts his proven record of securing funding and gaining bipartisan support for critical programs through the region, including career readiness, business development, mentoring, and education initiatives.
A native Detroiter, Hollier, an Army veteran and former firefighter, believes in fair representation within the redrawn district maps, affordable childcare, and building and maintaining safe neighborhoods throughout the 13th Congressional District. Hollier holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan.
The 13th Congressional District is wide open because of the newly drawn congressional and legislative maps approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission on Dec. 28, 2021. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, elected to serve the 13th District in 2018, will run for re-election in District 12 because of redistricting.
With the 13th Congressional District’s 45% Black population – a majority-minority – many political observers and stakeholders in Southeast Michigan believe an African American should represent the district.
In addition to Hollier’s candidacy, other prominent African American candidates, all Democrats, who have announced their entrance into the race include Marshall Bullock (state senator), Sherry-Gay-Dagnogo (School Board member and former state representative), Ralph Godbee Jr. (former Detroit Police Chief), and Michael Griffie (attorney and educator). State Rep. Shri Thanedar, who is Indian-American, is also running. Other African American candidates are expected to announce their candidacies in the coming days and weeks. The filing deadline for entering the congressional race is April 19.
The 2022 primary election will be held on August 2, followed by the general election on Nov. 8. If Hollier or any other African American candidate should fail in their election bid, there will be no Black representation in Congress from Michigan when the 118th Congress begins in Jan. 2023. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Michigan’s lone representative in Congress, is not running for re-election.
There has been some talk about creating a process to select a Black consensus candidate because of the fear of splitting African American votes in the 13th. Some local and regional political observers and stakeholders believe it’s a great idea but are unsure it can be done where all the African American candidates running for Congress will agree on one African American consensus candidate.
Nevertheless, Hollier is moving forward in his quest to win the 13th congressional seat.
“I see every day the needs of the people in my community and how Congress is leaving Southeast Michigan behind,” said Hollier. “Having served my country in the Army and my community as a firefighter, I know what it takes to answer the call to service and actually improve lives for people right here at home.”
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