U.S. House Rep Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) has become the twenty-fifth House Democrat to announce that they will not seek re-election in 2022.
Lawrence has been representing the majority-black 14th district after succeeding Democrat Gary Peters, who was elected to the U.S. Senate that year.
In her video announcement, Lawrence made race a central theme as she noted that “It is not lost on me that I am currently the only black member of the Michigan delegation in the House and in the Senate.”
“So whether it’s in the halls of Congress, city halls, or local school boards, representation matters,” Lawrence insisted.
Lawrence later referenced her “good friend, the late great John Lewis” by declaring that she is “still getting into good trouble.”
In a tweet containing the video, Lawrence said, “This year marks my 30th year in elected public service, and I’ve had the good fortune of serving Michiganders on the local and national level.”
Lawrence was also the Mayor of Southfield, a city in Oakland County, for 13 years.
“After reflecting on my journey & having conversations with my family, I’m announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to Congress,” Lawrence added.
This year marks my 30th year in elected public service, and I've had the good fortune of serving Michiganders on the local and national level.
— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) January 5, 2022
After reflecting on my journey & having conversations with my family, I'm announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to Congress. pic.twitter.com/QBmdExSKaj
Redistricting expert Dave Wasserman noted that Lawrence’s seat is likely to become highly competitive due to redistricting.
“Not only the 25th House Dem retirement, but Lawrence is currently the only Black member of Congress from Michigan. No guarantee there will be one in 2023 under the new lines,” Wasserman pointed out.
Not only the 25th House Dem retirement, but Lawrence is currently the only Black member of Congress from Michigan. No guarantee there will be one in 2023 under the new lines. https://t.co/7oaXJdk5kU
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 5, 2022
As NBC News previously pointed out, there aren’t any Black majority districts; compared with the two previous ones in and around Detroit.
Under the new maps, there are two districts where black voters are about 44 percent of the voting population, the outlet explained.
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