Peters Announces Decision to Run in the 14th District

In a Facebook post and email message to supporters this afternoon, Congressman Gary Peters (D-9th Congressional) announced his intention to run in the newly drawn 14th Congressional District, thus avoiding a race against Rep. Sander Levin (D-12th Congressional) in  a newly redrawn District 9.

His decision will likely pit Peters against Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-13th Congressional) in a 2012 Democratic primary; Clarke has also announced he will run for the seat. The S-shaped district, created through reapportionment after the 2010 Census, includes communities in Oakland and Wayne counties.

Peters' Facebook post noted the new district "bridges diverse communities and comes at a pivotal time in our nation's history. Too many families are struggling in our area and I am committed to the urgent task of bringing our communities together while fighting for the issues that unite us: good paying jobs, stronger schools, and protecting critical priorities like Social Security and Medicare."

He pointed out that "the success of the whole region is tied to the success of the city of Detroit and I am committed to making this region a better place to live, work and raise a family."

In an interview with Patch Wednesday, Peters said about half of the new district is in Oakland County. He pointed out that he has represented all those communities in Congress or as a state senator.

"People really want me to do this," Peters said. "Without exception, I'm getting strong encouragement that this is the district I should run in."