Clarke quits 1 race, weighs another

[ccharles000]

After dropping out of the governor's race earlier in the day, state Sen. Hansen Clarke said Friday that he may challenge U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, a Detroit Democrat, and that Democrats have offered him substantial campaign money.

Clarke, who ran for Detroit mayor in 2005, was considered a long shot in the governor's race, which he had entered only a week ago. He said he was surprised when Democratic leaders approached him about the congressional race.

"I'm not declaring, but I will accept the offer of substantial financial contributions that have been made," he told the Free Press, adding that he'll form a campaign committee.

Clarke, 52, with 13 years in the Legislature, couldn't seek re-election to his Senate seat because of term limits.

Kilpatrick has been in Congress for 13 years and is a member of the crucial Appropriations Committee. She narrowly won re-election to the 13th Congressional District seat in 2008 against then-state Rep. Mary Waters as voters lashed out at her over the scandal that engulfed son Kwame Kilpatrick's term as Detroit's mayor.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100116/NEWS06/1160318/1008/NEWS06/Clarke-quits-1-race-weighs-another