Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Barbara-Rose Collins
Succeeded by	Hansen Clarke
Constituency	15th district (1997–2003) 13th district (2003–2011)
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office January 1, 1979 – January 1, 1997
Preceded by	Jackie Vaughn III
Succeeded by	Kwame Kilpatrick
Constituency	18th district (1979–1982) 8th district (1983–1992) 9th district (1993–1996)
Personal details
Born	Carolyn Jean Cheeks (1945-06-25) June 25, 1945 (age 79) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bernard Kilpatrick
Children	2, including Kwame
Education	Ferris State University Western Michigan University (BS) University of Michigan (MS)

Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick was born on June 25, 1945. She is a former American politician. She served as a U.S. Representative for the state of Michigan. She represented Michigan's 15th and later 13th districts. Her time in Congress was from 1997 to 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Carolyn Kilpatrick is also the mother of Kwame Kilpatrick. He was a former Mayor of Detroit.

Her Early Life and Education

Carolyn Jean Cheeks was born in Detroit, Michigan. She went to Detroit High School of Commerce. After high school, she continued her education.

She attended Ferris State University from 1968 to 1970. Then, she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. This was from Western Michigan University in 1972. Later, she earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. This was from the University of Michigan in 1977.

Before becoming a politician, she worked as a high school teacher. She then served in the Michigan House of Representatives. This was from 1979 to 1996.

Serving in the U.S. Congress

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick became a U.S. Representative in 1997. A U.S. Representative is a person who is elected to speak for their district. They work in the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Their job is to make laws for the country.

Important Committees

While in Congress, she was part of important groups. One of these was the Committee on Appropriations. This committee decides how the government spends money. She was also on a special group within it. This group focused on money for transportation and housing.

Working with Other Groups

She was also a member of several caucuses. A caucus is a group of lawmakers. They come together because they share common interests. She was part of the Congressional Black Caucus. This group focuses on issues important to African Americans. She was chosen to lead this caucus. She was its chairwoman for the 110th Congress (2007-2008). She was also part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Her Political Campaigns

In 1996, Carolyn Kilpatrick ran for Congress. She challenged the person who held the seat at the time. This was in the Democratic primary election. She won this election by a good margin. Winning the primary was very important. Her district was known for voting for Democrats.

She was reelected six times after that. She always won with a large number of votes. Her district's number changed after the 2000 Census. It became the 13th District. In 2004 and 2006, she faced little or no opposition.

Re-election Challenges

Her first big challenge came in 2008. She faced two other strong candidates. These were Mary D. Waters and Martha G. Scott. They ran against her in the Democratic primary. She won the primary election on August 5. She received 39.1 percent of the votes.

In 2010, she faced another challenge. State Senator Hansen Clarke ran against her. He defeated her in the August 3 primary election. This meant she would not return to Congress. Hansen Clarke then took her place in January 2011.

Personal Life

Carolyn Kilpatrick was married to Bernard Nathaniel Kilpatrick. They have two children together. Their daughter is named Ayanna. Their son is Kwame Kilpatrick, who became a former Mayor of Detroit. Carolyn and Bernard Kilpatrick divorced in 1981.

She has six grandsons, including two sets of twins. She also has two granddaughters.

Carolyn Kilpatrick is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. This is a Greek-letter organization for women.

Electoral History

See also

• List of African-American United States representatives
• Women in the United States House of Representatives