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Long-Serving Congressman John Conyers May Not Make It On The Primary Ballot

Long-Serving Congressman May Not Make It On The Primary Ballot
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By 

Staff Reporter, The Huffington Post

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UNITED STATES - APRIL 4: Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., looks for his ride as he leaves the Capitol following the last vote of the week on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), who would become Congress' longest-serving member if he is reelected this year, may not even qualify for the Democratic primary ballot.

Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett told WDIV Local 4 News on Friday that two of Conyers' petition circulators were not registered voters when they collected signatures to get him on the Aug. 5 ballot.

Conyers is currently serving his 25th term representing the state's 13th District. He is the second most senior member of the House after Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), who is retiring this year.

Michigan law requires that petition gatherers be registered voters. The Detroit News reported Friday that the two petition circulators appear to have registered on Monday, a week after the petitions were due.

An investigation into a formal challenge of Conyers' signatures by one of his primary opponents, the Rev. Horace Sheffield, is expected to result in a decision by Wednesday.

If Conyers is found to not have enough valid petition signatures, he can appeal the ruling to either the secretary of state or the Wayne County Circuit Court. If an appeal fails, the representative could have to resort to running as a write-in candidate.

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Before You Go

Distinguishable Members Of Congress
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.)(01 of14)
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Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) is rarely seen without one of her signature, colorful, wide-brimmed hats. She's even said she has hundreds of hats in her collection. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.)(02 of14)
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Boozman hears his constituents loud and clear. The Arkansas senator has some of the most distinctive ears in the House. CORRECTION: This slideshow originally identified Boozman as a member of the House. We have updated to reflect he is a Senator from Arkansas. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)(03 of14)
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Though political opponents, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), have attempted to use Grijalva's mustache against him, he and his facial hair have risen above their enemies. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)(04 of14)
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Rep. DeLauro's short, dark hairdo makes her stand out. She's also known to wear some distinctive glasses and dynamic outfits. Some would even say she's a "hipster." (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.)(05 of14)
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Lankford's bright red hair stands out in the sea of salt-and-pepper congressmen. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Speaker Of The House John Boehner (R-Ohio)(06 of14)
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Boehner's striking blue eyes are perhaps the most unusual pair in Congress. Also, his skin is orange. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.)(07 of14)
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Wasserman Schultz's curly blonde hair can't be missed. An October 2012 Vogue makeover called attention to the Florida representative's style.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)(08 of14)
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King has made some eyebrow-raising remarks, so it's a good thing his brows are some of the most memorable in all of Congress. (credit:U.S. Congress )
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas)(09 of14)
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Most of the men in Congress opt for the clean-shaven look. While the few with facial hair favor the mustache, Green goes all out. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)(10 of14)
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Rep. Duckworth is the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first member of Congress born in Thailand and the first woman with disabilities to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. For many reasons she's one of the strongest and most recognizable members of the House. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.)(11 of14)
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Noem is more than just a pretty face. Last year, after getting voted hottest freshman in congress, she brushed off the accolade, saying she'd rather the attention be given to her lawmaking skills. (credit:U.S. Congress)
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.)(12 of14)
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Rep. Engel has donned the same mustache since he was first elected to Congress in the early 1990s, making his facial hair the most reliable and recognizable in the House. (credit:U.S. Congress )
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii)(13 of14)
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Gabbard stands out from the crowd as the first American Samoan and the first Hindu member of Congress. (credit:U.S. Congress )
Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.)(14 of14)
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Kennedy looks strikingly like his famous family members and political predecessors. (credit:U.S. Congress)
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