MI Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence Will Not Seek Re-election

MICHIGAN — Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence announced Tuesday night she will not seek re-election to the U.S. Congress.

"Today, after reflecting on my journey — and oh my goodness, what a journey — and having conversations with my family, I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to Congress," Lawrence said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the people of Michigan's 14th Congressional District who have placed their trust in me — in me, a little Black girl from the east side of Detroit."

Lawrence's decision to not seek a fifth term to the U.S. House may be reflected in Michigan's newly drawn congressional maps, which connects her home base of Southfield and the west side of Detroit with Dearborn, Westland and other parts of western Wayne County she has not represented, reports said.

Lawrence was first elected to Congress in 2014, and became Michigan's only black member in the U.S. Congress. Her departure will leave the state without a black representative in the U.S. Congress.

"It is not lost on me that I'm currently the only Black member of the Michigan congressional delegation," Lawrence said. "Whether it's in the halls of Congress, city halls, or local school boards, representation matters."

Michigan's 14th congressional, which Lawrence represents, included Southfield and other parts of southeastern Oakland County with the east side of Detroit, downtown, Hamtramck and the Grosse Pointes.

The 14th congressional district was one of two Michigan districts that were a majority Black districts before it was broken up. Moreover, parts of Lawrence's district was merged with fellow Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's 13th district, which was the other majority back district.

Lawrence said she will spend the rest of the year fighting to pass voting rights laws and protect women's rights and the environment.