Judge: No change in election dates for congressional seat

DETROIT (AP) — A judge has refused to set an earlier election for the seat formerly held by retired U.S. Rep. John Conyers.

Judge Mark Goldsmith on Wednesday said there's no evidence that the constitutional rights of people in the 13th District have been violated by having a vacancy for 11 months. He said critics have failed to show that Gov. Rick Snyder discriminated against black residents.

Conyers, a Detroit Democrat, quit in December. Snyder set a primary election for Aug. 7, the date for primary elections statewide, followed by a special election on Nov. 6. The winner would serve only for two months.