9 Democrats vying for new House seat in St. Clair Shores, Harper Woods, Detroit

Redistricting in Macomb and Wayne counties has produced a competitive Democratic primary in the newly drawn 11th House District seat, which comprises parts of northeast Detroit, Harper Woods and St. Clair Shores.

Nine Democrats are running in Tuesday’s primary: Patrick Biange of St. Clair Shores, Marvin Cotton Jr. of Harper Woods, Paul Robert Francis of St. Clair Shores, Alex Manwell of Detroit, David Maynard of St. Clair Shores, Veronica Paiz of Harper Woods, Athena Lynn Thornton of Detroit, Ricardo White of Detroit and Regina Williams of Harper Woods. 

Adrian Hemond, a Lansing-based Democratic political consultant, said such a large number of candidates in a primary race is the result of recent redistricting in Michigan.

“There is a fair amount of this thing going on in southeast Michigan and it’s largely based on the redistricting commission and the way it went about their work to maximize districts,” Hemond said. “It creates opportunities for folks to run in these new districts where previously they might not have had a chance based on where they lived or where the district was drawn.”

The field is full of newcomers to politics and include a few candidates with local elected experience.

Biange, 55, an education consultant says he is running to create, implement and monitor three state legislative goals for Michigan: human wellness, enhanced public security and economic stability.

“I’m working on educational legislation to greatly reduce ‘mass violence against persons.’ We’ll address many factors in my programs and break the cycle of violent psychology that plagues our subset population,” Biange said.

Cotton, 42, was wrongly imprisoned for almost two decades and now advocates for others who have experienced the same. He created Better Not Broken, an organization that works for exonerees, and is a motivational speaker and community organizer.

Voting rights are his single biggest issue.

“I was freed due to the efforts of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit. I am living, breathing evidence that the system can get it wrong. And I am also living, breathing proof that the system can get it right when government officials put the right systems in place,” Cotton said. “My lived experience has prepared me to carry the 90,000 voices in this district in a fair and equitable way.”

Francis, 51, an occupation sales manager who started an alternative green firewood business, says he is running for office to break special interest groups’ “stranglehold” on the state Legislature so that the government works for the people.

Overall personal freedoms are his biggest issue.

“Freedom of choice for a woman to consult with her doctor whether or not she needs or wants an abortion. Freedom from gun violence. There should be no constant fear of being shot and killed for children and adults,” Francis said.

Manwell, 33, a civil engineer and finance consultant, is running for office because he thinks Michigan has become well-known for infrastructrue crises such as floods, lead pipes, dams collapsing, a poor electrical grid and pothole-filled roads.

“And yet, of the 110 elected members of the Michigan House of Representatives there are zero folks with a civil engineering background. I find that alarming,” Manwell said.

He wants to focus on funding infrastructure improvements and bringing financial relief to residents by clawing back money from utility corporations in Michigan.

Maynard, 57, is a union bricklayer and veteran U.S. Army combat engineer.

“I am running for the House to support the blue collar workers. The single biggest issue that I am running on is supporting the blue collar workers but I would like to also support the care and health of the Great Lakes,” Maynard said.

Paiz, who declined to provide her age, is a Harper Woods City Council member and precinct delegate. She is a member of the Michigan Municipal League legislative committees for elections and municipal services, the Southeast Michigan Council of Government and an executive board member for the Hispanic Latino Caucus of Michigan Democratic Party.

Addressing the diversity of concerns specific to the 11th District is her focus in the election.

“I believe I’m the most knowledgeable candidate on what needs to be addressed in state legislation that also can best benefit the people of the 11th House District,” Paiz said. “I have learned from experience, including on City Council, how legislation directly impacts municipalities’ abilities to provide for residents’ best interest – from first responders to housing to public health and more.”

Thornton, 52, is a legal secretary for the state Attorney General’s office and worked for Wayne County’s 3rd Circuit Court for 30 years. She is a union member and was an executive board member for AFSCME Local 1659.

She says the human condition is the reason she is running for office.

“I see a need not only to improve the current infrastructure of the 11th District , which includes having good clean drinking water, and safe roads and bridges, but also making more mental health facilities readily available, women’s right to reproductive health, access to good quality education for all children, lower prescription drugs and funding for small businesses all comprise the issues that not only face District 11, but these issues face all Michiganders,” she said.

White, 33, is a senior account manager at a public relations firm. He is a former staffer in the Michigan House and former public affairs specialist for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

“I’m a firm believer that government is a service industry and that our state needs experienced leaders who have the knowledge and understanding to solve our problems,” White said. “That is why I’ve introduced the Main Street Michigan Plan which will invest new and existing dollars into policy solutions to bring down the costs of goods and services for residents, grow jobs in our state, and invest in workforce training to keep workers skills up for jobs of the future.”

Williams, 57, is on the Harper Woods City Council and is a career math/science teacher for the Detroit Public Schools Community District. She also previously served almost seven years on the board of education for Harper Woods schools.

Her election priorities are equity in education and safety from gun violence.

“My top goals if elected are supporting equity and financing for education, protecting a woman’s right to choose and receive medical care, protecting seniors’ rights and a better health care system, and reducing gun violence so we all can have a safer place to live. I am dedicated and passionate about serving the community and making life better for all,” she said.