Here's an interesting development out of my home state. This past week, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, the presumed favorite, withdrew from the race for Governor of Michigan. That has opened up a floodgate of new candidates, including progressive State Senator Hansen Clarke. Sen. Clarke was kind enough to join us at the kick off of our APAP Chapter in Detroit last year. We definitely look forward to supporting him as well.

Clarke has been traveling statewide to promote his plan for cutting auto insurance rates by 20 percent and says he will campaign on lowering costs in many areas for struggling businesses and families. 

Clarke served six years in the House before being elected twice to the Senate. A lawyer, he also ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Detroit. He's term-limited and cannot run again for the Senate. His term expires at the end of the year.

And here is some further biographical info from wikipedia:

Hansen Clarke was born in Detroit, Michigan to a Bangladeshi father^[3] and an American mother. He grew up in the city's lower east side. His mother had to work as a crossing guard to try to make ends meet.

In third grade, Grant's mother received a grant from the Detroit Institute of Arts to pay for his further education. He went on to high school at Cass Tech, and then was admitted to a prestigious east-coast prep school to complete his high school.^[2]

Clarke studied at Cornell University, graduating with a degree in fine arts. While at the university, he became interested in politics. He was elected to the student seat on the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was a member of the Quill and Dagger society.

After his time at Cornell, Hansen Clarke decided to pursue a career in law. He was accepted into Georgetown Law School where he graduated in 1984 with a Juris Doctor.^[2]

We will definitely keep you posted on this race!