Candidate Profile: Janice M. Winfrey, U.S. Congress, Dearborn Area

DEARBORN, MI — Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey is running for a newly created U.S. House of Representative district seat that includes Dearborn and other western Wayne County areas. She will face Rashida Tlaib, Kelly Garrett and Shanelle Jackson in the Democratic Primary on Aug. 2.

Here's how she filled out her candidate profile:

Name

Janice M. Winfrey

Campaign website

https://www.janiceforcongress....

City or town of residence

Detroit

Office sought

U.S. Congress

District, if applicable

12th

Party affiliation

Democratic

Education

Bachelor of Science, Public Administration/Management-Eastern Michigan University

Occupation

Presently Detroit City Clerk-16 years

Family

Husband-Tyrone Winfrey, Sr., Children-Tyrone Winfrey, Jr., Lauren Winfrey, Chad Winfrey.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Age

64

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Currently as City Clerk

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking the office of Michigan's 12th Congressional District to meet the needs of the citizens who are residents in the community. There are twelve cities inside of the 12th Congressional District and each of their needs are unique. I want to ensure the citizens of Inkster have something other than check cashing institutions to bank with; those who live in Detroit have quality education for their children; and those who live in Southfield do not have to dodge potholes while driving. While there are greater issues amongst these and the other communities I want to serve to ensure that every citizens' quality of life is better.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have served as an Elected Official for more than 20 years. Even before that I was a Math Specialist for Detroit Public Schools for nearly 10 years. I come from a blue collar household where my father worked for General Motors for nearly 40 years. My background and my service seperates me from my opponents and makes me look more like the citizens I seek to represent.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The present incumbent spends too much time protecting the interest of those who she does not represent. As a result, the current Congressional District she represents is among the poorest in the nation.

Do you think the federal government can or should do more to curb inflation, which has led to an increase in prices for food, gas and other goods?

yes the federal government can do more to curb inflation.

Do you support changing the state’s constitution to ensure that women have to right to get an abortion?

As a woman and a United States Citizen, I believe that we are guaranteed an abundance of liberties--one being a right to choose. Yes I will ensure the states constitution includes a woman's right to get an abortion.

Do you support the Raise the Wage ballot initiative, which would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 and provide cost-of-living increases in later years?

Yes. It's long overdue.

Would you support an election initiative to require another audit of the 2020 presidential election, to transfer authority over the audit from the Secretary of State to a newly created auditing panel, and to change how elections are reviewed in the future?

No. Governing should be the role of Elected Officials who are representatives of the people.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Infrastructure, Free quality of Education, Gun control, Protecting Social Security.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have effectively administered Elections in the city of Detroit by compromising, negotiating and working with citizens, colleagues and interest groups to ensure that the voting process is fair, transparent and open to all who qualify.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never give up.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

No