Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick is the U.S. Representative from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan. On August 5, 2008, Kilpatrick, who is seeking a seventh term in office, narrowly defeated two challengers in the Democratic primary. Kilpatrick's campaign was dogged by a political scandal involving her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The mayor was indicted on perjury charges in March 2008.^{1 2}

Fast Facts

1. Born: June 25, 1945
2. Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
3. Assumed office: January 3, 1997
4. Party: Democrat
5. Graduate of Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan
6. Mother of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
7. Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)³

Narrow Victory

U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick moved one step closer to a seventh term in office with a narrow victory in a Democratic primary on August 5, 2008. With 100% of the precincts reporting, results showed Kilpatrick with 39.1 percent of the vote. Kilpatrick's closest challenger, former state Representative Mary Waters, garnered 36 percent of the vote.¹

Kilpatrick's victory wasn't assured heading into the primary. Kilpatrick's re-election campaign was sometimes diverted by a political scandal involving her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. In March 2008, the mayor was indicted on charges of perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice, after denying a romantic relationship with a former top aide during a 2007 civil trial.^{2 1}

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