NewsNational NewsDemocracy 2018

Actions

Rashida Tlaib wins race to replace John Conyers; likely to be first Muslim woman in Congress

Posted
and last updated

Former Michigan state Rep. Rashida Tlaib has won the Democratic nomination to run unopposed for the House seat long held by former Rep. John Conyers and likely will become the first Muslim female elected to Congress.

No Republicans ran in Tuesday's District 13 primary race, meaning Tlaib is set to win the seat in November's election and begin serving a full two-year term in January.

Tlaib defeated five other candidates to win the nomination. She also ran in Tuesday's special primary election to complete the final two months of Conyers' final term.

The 42-year-old Tlaib served in the Michigan House from 2009 until 2014.

The 89-year-old Conyers was first elected to the House in 1964. He stepped down in December citing health reasons, though several former female staffers had accused him of sexual harassment.

The heavily Democratic 13th District covers much of Detroit and some of its suburbs.