Anthony, Brixie evaluating whether to run for Congress

Two more local Democrats, state Sen. Sarah Anthony and state Rep. Julie Brixie, are considering a run for Congress, they said Friday.

That brings to four the number of elected Democrats in Greater Lansing who are publicly expressing interest in the nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin. The three-term Democrat, whose 7^th District includes all of Ingham and Clinton counties and parts of Eaton County, has announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat that is up in 2024.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced Thursday that he has formed an Exploratory Campaign Committee to see if he should seek the nomination in the August 2024 primary election. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum told City Pulse she is considering a run. One Democrat who reportedly had been interested took himself out of the race: state Sen. Sam Singh, of East Lansing.

Anthony, 39, was elected to the state Senate last year after serving in the state House and on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. She represents the 21^st District, which includes parts of Lansing and Lansing Township and all of Eaton County.

She said she has received numerous calls from people locally and nationally encouraging her to run.

"I think people are interested in making sure we are diversifying the types of individuals we are sending to Washington," Anthony,  an African American, said. "There has been a decrease in the number of African Americans from Michigan that are heading to Washington."

She said she expects to send out a statement "very soon" on her intentions.

"I explore every opportunity that comes up," she said. "I talk to my mentors, I talk to my community and then I really do pray about it — what is going to be best for me, for my own spiritual health and for my community."

Brixie, 56, is in her third term in the state House. Her 73^rd District includes portions of East Lansing, Okemos, Mason, Leslie, Stockbridge and Williamston. She was a Meridian Township trustee for 18 years.

"I am a person who only got into elective office and public service because other people came to me and wanted me to help our community." she said. "I am a public servant at heart, if there is a need that needs to be filled and I am the right person to fill I am definitely open to considering it."

Schor defined himself as a “centrist” in an interview Thursday. Both women defined to classify themselves.

Brixie said she will continue to work with members of both parties.

Anthony said voters don't care about labels like progressive, liberal, centrist or right wing.

"I am a community organizer turned elected official, and what I found is that those labels are never helpful to the people in our community," she said. "They matter to political interest groups — to people in the Lansing bubble. But when you talk to people in the community, what they want to know is what have you done for the community? What have you delivered? They want to know how you are helping everyday people."

On the Republican side, former State Sen. Tom Barrett is looking at another try, a political consultant to him said. Barrett lost to Slotkin by 5% in 2022  in a district that is considered a tossup.