Peters Makes It Official, Sets Up Primary Race Against Hansen Clarke

U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, ended speculation about his immediate political future Thursday by declaring his intentions to run in the 14th District.

The decision pits him against Democrat colleague Hanson Clarke in a primary next summer.

Peters' district was split last month under a Republican-led plan that accounted for Michigan's population drop in the 2010 U.S. Census. Bloomfield Hills is now in the 11th District, currently represented by presidential hopeful Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, while Bloomfield Township remained in the 9th District, that expanded to Royal Oak.

He refused to take on long-time Democrat incumbents Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, and John Conyers, D-Detroit, and organized an online petition drive to try and stop Gov. Rich Snyder from signing the redistricting plan into law last month. It garnered more than 3,500 signatures, but no political traction.

The redrawn 14th District encompasses several communities that Peters currently represents in congress, including West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills and his native Pontiac. During his two terms in the State Senate, Peters also served voters in Southfield, Oak Park, Lathrup Village and Royal Oak Township.

“Congressional districts are just lines on a map," Peters said in an e-mail declaration to supporters. "I believe that regardless of where we call home, we all want the same things: economic security, fairness from government, and an honest chance to find success and happiness - I've spent my life fighting for these values.”

In an interview with Patch Wednesday, Peters said he's received strong support from areas he's already served and would need to win to remain on Capitol Hill.

"People really want me to do this," Peters said. "Without exception, I'm getting strong encouragement that this is the district I should run in."

Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch Editor contributed to this report.