Lansing Dan Kildee says he's considering run for Congress

By Kathy Barks Hoffman Associated Press LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Dan Kildee said Monday he's seriously considering a run for the U.S. House seat held by his uncle, Dale Kildee, who recently announced he won't run next year after 18 terms. "Running for Congress has been something that has been on my mind for some time," Dan Kildee told The Associated Press on Monday. "I'm very serious about this and I expect to make my decision fairly soon." He's not the only Democrat looking at the 5th District race. Ex-state Sen. Jim Barcia of Bay City and current state Sen. John Gleason of Flushing also may be considering a run. They did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. Dan Kildee, a 52-year-old resident of Genesee County's Flint Township, ran for governor in early 2010 before dropping out of the Democratic race. The ex-Genesee County treasurer now heads the Center for Community Progress, which promotes the reuse of vacant, abandoned and problem properties in cities and towns across the country. A political strategy memo prepared by The Mellman Group for Kildee said he has a leg up over possible Democratic challengers because he's well-known in Genesee County, is well-liked by the area's Democratic voters and is from the county that's expected to turn out the most Democratic voters in the 5th District primary next year. But Barcia represented what's now the eastern part of the district in Congress from 1993 to 2002. That could factor into the race, especially if Gleason gets in and splits the Genesee County vote. Republicans also may jump at the chance to run for an open congressional seat after Dale Kildee leaves after 36 years, although the district will still lean Democratic after redistricting laws take effect next year. Other congressional races also are drawing attention from potential candidates. Although former Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer's Calhoun County base will be moved out of the 7th District in southern Michigan once redistricting laws go into effect, he's contemplating a rematch against GOP U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton. Schauer beat Walberg in 2008 before losing the seat to him in 2010. Published: Wed, Jul 27, 2011