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Philip Cavanagh (Photo: Facebook)
Attorney and former state lawmaker Philip Cavanagh, son of the late Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh, announced Wednesday he'll run against Rep. Rashida Tlaib in this year's Democratic primary for a redrawn district.
"Michigan’s new 12th U.S. Congressional District needs a representative that will work to build trust, respect and relationships in order to deliver results to all the people of the District," he said in a statement. "This will include someone with a vision for the future and willing to compromise to get results while never losing sight of the core values of all families in our region."
The primary election is Aug. 2.
Cavanaugh, a 60-year-old Detroiter, formerly was a Wayne County commissioner, deputy Wayne County treasurer, law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Art Tarnow and a state representative from 2010-14.
His Michigan House district included Redford, north Dearborn Heights and portions of Livonia. The new U.S. House district includes Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Livonia, Westland, Redford, Southfield and part of Detroit's west side.
Tlaib, who currently represents the 13th District, decided recently to run in the 12th Disrtrict, which now includes some of her current constituents. She was first elected in 2016 and quickly became a high-profile figure when she verbally attacked President Donald Trump and pushed for his impeachment from the get-go.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, currently in the 12th District, has announced she will seek re-election in the new 6th District, which includes Ann Arbor.
Brenda Lawrence, Michigan's only Black congressional delegation member, currently represents the 14th District, which is being eliminated under redistricting. She has chosen not to run again.
Mayor Jerome Cavanagh led Detroit from 1962-70. He died in 1979 at age 51. Philip Cavanagh is the sixth of eight children.
