Kelley says he'll run for seat in new district
Democrat to take on favored state senator
April 27, 2002
BY DENNIS NIEMIEC
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
With two powerful Wayne County Democrats, County Executive Ed McNamara and Sheriff Robert Ficano, at his side Friday, Redford Township Supervisor Kevin Kelley announced he will run for Congress in a new district that encompasses more than 20 communities in Wayne and Oakland counties.
State Sen. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, is considered the front-runner in a Republican-friendly district created by state lawmakers. The reapportioned congressional and legislative boundaries in Michigan will face a challenge from Democrats in federal court next month.
McCotter, whose Senate district is within the boundaries of the new congressional area, announced his candidacy for the 2-year congressional term in February. The filing deadline is in June.
Based on voting trends in the past decade, the new district is about 54-percent Republican, said political analyst Bill Ballenger.
It stretches throughout southwestern Oakland County and northwestern Wayne County, including Livonia, Canton Township, Westland, Commerce Township, Walled Lake and Novi.
For a Democrat to win would require "a strong candidate and the help from the head of the ticket," said Ballenger, publisher of the political newsletter Inside Michigan Politics.
Kelley, the Redford Township supervisor since 1996, said having the support of McNamara and Ficano will help in fund-raising and credibility for his candidacy. McNamara will be the campaign chairman.
Kelley, 43, has endorsed state Attorney General Jennifer Granholm for governor.