Kathleen Gray

Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, told his supporters Tuesday that he intends to forgo the 2018 race for governor of Michigan and will run again for his seat in Congress.

In an e-mail to supporters, Kildee said the fight against the policies put forth by Republican President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress are too important to give up his current job. He decided to seek re-election after last week's vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and push back reforms on the banking industry.

"Undoubtedly, we know that there will be more reckless policies pushed by this new administration. These big battles — over health care, tax reform, protecting the Great Lakes — are going to happen in Congress," he said in the e-mail. "As a Representative, I am on the front lines representing our state's interests in these fights."

Kildee added that he can make the biggest impact by staying in Congress. "I feel a sense of duty to fight back."

Kildee has been seen as a formidable candidate for governor. As a lifelong resident of the Flint area, he had a strong narrative to bolster a statewide campaign with his work to ensure the city was made whole after a water crisis caused lead to leach into thousands of homes and businesses in Flint.

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Without Kildee in the race, former Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, becomes the most well-known Democratic candidate in the race, but she is facing a crowded field that also includes former head of the Detroit Health Department Abdul El-Sayed of Detroit; retired Xerox executive William Cobbs of Farmington Hills; emergency medical services driver Kentiel White of Southgate; Justin Giroux of Wayland and Ann Arbor businessman Shri Thandear.

Republicans Lt. Gov. Brian Calley of Portland and Attorney General Bill Schuette of Midland are expected to jump into the race. Already filing the necessary paperwork to run for the GOP nomination for the office are insurance agent Joseph Derose of Williamston, Grand Rapids businessman Evan Space, obstetrician Dr. Jim Hines of Saginaw and private investigator Mark McFarlin of Pinconning.

Kildee won his seat in Congress in 2012, taking over the seat held by his uncle former U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint, from 1977 to 2013.

Contact Kathleen Gray: kgray99@freepress.com