Hansen Clarke

Who is Hansen Clarke?

Hansen Hashim Clarke is a former U.S. Congressman and current candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in the 14th Congressional District of Michigan. A Democrat, he was the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district from 2011 to 2013. Prior to his election to Congress, he had been a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1991 through 1992 and from 1999 through 2002, and had represented the 1st District in the Michigan Senate from 2003 to 2011. Clarke was also the first U.S. Congressman of Bangladeshi descent.

Clarke entered Congress after defeating incumbent Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in the 2010 Democratic primary for the 13th congressional district. In 2012, due to redistricting, fellow incumbent Gary Peters chose to run against Clarke in the 14th congressional district primary. Clarke came in second in the Primary, while Peters gained the most votes. Clarke left Congress in January 2013.

In April 2014, Clarke announced he would again run in the 14th District primary, for the seat to be vacated by Peters, who is running for U.S. Senate.