Michigan redistricting plan targets suburban Detroit Dems

A draft redistricting plan in Michigan would place two incumbent Democratic congressmen in the same district, the Detroit News reports.

The Republican plan would, as many observers have expected, place longtime Rep. Sandy Levin and Rep. Gary Peters, now in his second term, in the same suburban Detroit district.

Michigan is set to lose one House seat in the next Congress, giving it 14 seats. Republicans hold all the power in the redistricting process, controlling the governorship and both houses of the state legislature.  

Some have suggested that Peters would run for another office rather than challenge more senior Democrats like Levin, the ranking member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

According to the Detroit News, there are rumors Peters might run for Oakland County executive. But a spokesman for the congressman said he planned to run for a third term in Washington.

After a strong 2010 midterm, Republicans currently control nine of Michigan’s 15 House seats. The draft plan looks to shore up those incumbents, who include three current committee chairmen – Reps. Dave Camp (Ways and Means), Mike Rogers (Intelligence) and Fred Upton (Energy and Commerce). 

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