Two more Democratic candidates have entered the race to replace U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District.
On Friday, Nov. 14, Dr. Anil Kumar, a surgeon, urologist and member of the Wayne State University Board of Governors, announced he was running for the nomination to replace Stevens, who is leaving the seat to run for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
John Paul Torres, a Waterford School District trustee, has also entered the field to replace Stevens in the 11th District, a predominantly Democratic district that includes much of Oakland County.
Kumar has run in this district before, though before its boundaries were redrawn in 2021. In 2014, he lost the Democratic primary, then won it in 2016, going on to lose the general election to then-U.S. Rep. Dave Trott, R-Birmingham. In 2024, he mounted a run in the neighboring 10th District despite living outside it; he was disqualified from a spot on the ballot, however, after the state Bureau of Elections found he failed to submit enough valid signatures with his candidacy petitions.
“For the past 30 years, I have served thousands of patients and seen firsthand the failings of a health care system that puts profits over people,” Kumar said in his announcement. “Every election, politicians offer empty promises about making health care more affordable and accessible, yet no meaningful solutions ever materialize.”
“It’s clear that D.C. isn’t working for us as families are crushed by medical debt, rising prescription costs and lack of opportunity,” he added. Kumar’s campaign website also said he’s running “to bring real-world expertise, compassion and accountability to Washington.”
In his announcement in late October, Torres, a first-generation Mexican American, said, “Public service has always been at the heart of who I am.” Torres’ website said he has been a probation officer, program director and court administrator.
“I’m running to fight for our community and ensure every voice is heard,” he said. “Through my career, I advanced juvenile justice reform, secured millions in funding for the Waterford School District during the pandemic and worked with the courts to help veterans, youth, and those struggling with mental health problems receive the services necessary to end the cycle of recidivism.”
Torres also said he believes the U.S. “must establish a clear path to citizenship without tearing families apart or gutting entire workplaces through mass deportations.”
Both are entering a Democratic field of candidates that includes state Sen. Jeremy Moss and former Ford engineer Don Ufford, both of Bloomfield Township. Lawyer Aisha Farooqi has also filed to run in the primary as has Stu Baker, whose statement of candidacy was filed from Auburn Hills but who doesn’t appear to have a website. Republicans who have filed include Mike Steger, who founded a pro-Trump advocacy group; lawyer Anthony Paesano; and Antonio Prieto, whose campaign documents were filed from Farmington but who also didn’t appear to have a website.
Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.
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