Primary Election Overview: 5th House District

Liz Gullett

Jul 03, 2018

Through the primary election on August 7, every Tuesday, Wednesday, 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 5^th House District is located Wayne County and includes a portion of the City of Detroit. The district has a 95% Democratic base.

Commentary

Representative Fred Durhal III (D) is foregoing a run for a third term in this seat in order to run for the Michigan Senate. The Democratic primary race is full of candidates and given the district base, whoever wins will be the next Representative for the 5^th House District. The candidates include Cynthia Johnson who has previously run four time for this seat, the legislative director for the current seat holder, Diana Ross’s younger sister, and two radio hosts.

Democratic Candidates:

Cynthia Johnson – Radio talk show host, parole and probation agent, corrections officer
Mark Anthony Murphy, Jr
Mark Payne, Jr – Legislative director for Representative Fred Durhal III, former Detroit Public School teacher, legislative director
Rita Ross – Foster parent, served on the Michigan Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board for 16 years, community advocate
Jermaine Tobey
Cliff Woodards, II – Attorney, radio host

Republican Candidate:

Dorothy Patterson

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