Through the primary election on August 2, on every Tuesday and Thursday on the MLC Blog we will be highlighting races for which the primary is the key race due to the voter base.  Candidate’s website and professional information is listed when available.

District Overview

The 4^th Senate District is located in Wayne County and includes Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Southgate, and a portion of the City of Detroit.  The district has an 82% democratic base.

Commentary

This seat was left open when former Senator Virgil Smith resigned from the seat upon entering jail to begin serving his sentence stemming from an arrest in 2015.  The district is heavily Democratic and whoever wins the special primary this August, will be assured to win the seat this November.  The winner will serve the remainder of Mr. Smith’s term through 2018.

Amongst the numerous candidates vying for the Democratic nomination is Ian Conyers, great-nephew of longtime Congressman John Conyers.  Given the large field of candidates, name recognition provides this candidate a huge advantage.  Fellow candidate Fred Durhal, Jr., should also have some name recognition throughout the district as he served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and his son, Representative Fred Durhal, III, is currently serving in the legislature.  Additionally, in May he resigned from his directorship at a Detroit ministry to run for the seat.

Democratic Candidates:

• James Cole, Jr.
• Ian Conyers – Partner at Ruth Strategies.
  • Endorsement – Michigan AFL-CIO
• Fred Durhal, Jr. – Former director of Corporate and Government Relations for Detroit Rescue Missions Ministries.
• Patricia Holmes
• Vanessa Simpson Olive
• Carron Pinkins – Attorney.
  • Endorsement – AFSCME
• Ralph Rayner
• Helena Scott – Worker rights advocate.
  • Endorsement – Wayne County Prosecutor
• Howard Worthy – Advertising project director for the Detroit Chamber and former police officer.

Republican Candidates:

• Keith Franklin

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