Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolyn Kilpatrick
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan |
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| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2011 |
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| 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 |
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| 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
June 25, 1945 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 2025 (aged 80) Atlanta, Georgia, 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 (June 25, 1945 – October 7, 2025) was an American politician. She served as a U.S. Representative for Michigan from 1997 to 2011. She was a member of the Democratic Party. In 2010, she lost the primary election to Hansen Clarke, who then took her place in Congress. Carolyn Kilpatrick was also the mother of Kwame Kilpatrick, who was a former Mayor of Detroit.
Contents
Carolyn Kilpatrick: A Public Servant
Early Life and Education
Carolyn Jean Cheeks was born in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Detroit High School of Commerce. She then attended Ferris State University and Western Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. Later, she earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan in 1977.
Serving in the Michigan Legislature
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Carolyn Kilpatrick worked as a high school teacher. She then began her political career. From 1979 to 1996, she served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. This role allowed her to represent her local community in the state government.
Representing Michigan in Congress
In 1997, Carolyn Kilpatrick began her service in the United States House of Representatives. She represented Michigan's 15th District and later the 13th District. She worked on important issues for her state and country for 14 years.
Working on Committees
Members of Congress work in groups called committees. These groups focus on specific topics, like transportation or how the government spends money. Carolyn Kilpatrick was part of the Committee on Appropriations. This committee helps decide how the government uses its budget. She also served on the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
Joining Caucuses
She also joined special groups called caucuses. These groups bring together members of Congress who share similar interests or backgrounds. She was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, which focuses on issues affecting African Americans. She also belonged to the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Important Votes and Leadership
In 2004, Carolyn Kilpatrick was one of 31 House Democrats who voted not to count the 20 electoral votes from Ohio in the presidential election. This was a notable vote at the time. In 2006, her fellow members in the Congressional Black Caucus chose her to be their chairwoman for two years. She also voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. This act was a plan to help the economy during a difficult time.
Political Journey and Elections
In 1996, Carolyn Kilpatrick first ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. She successfully challenged the incumbent and won the Democratic primary election. This was a big step towards becoming a representative in her heavily Democratic district. She was reelected six times, often by a large number of votes. Her district was renumbered as the 13th District after the 2000 Census.
In 2008, she faced strong competition in the primary election. Her campaign encountered some difficulties due to public discussions involving her son. Despite these challenges, she won the primary election with 39.1 percent of the vote.
In 2010, she ran for re-election again. This time, she was challenged by State Senator Hansen Clarke. Public discussions about her son continued to be a factor in the election. Hansen Clarke won the primary election on August 3, 2010. He then took her place in Congress in January 2011.
Family and Community Involvement
Carolyn Kilpatrick was married to Bernard Nathaniel Kilpatrick. They had two children: a daughter named Ayanna and a son named Kwame Kilpatrick, who later became the Mayor of Detroit. She also had six grandsons and two granddaughters. Carolyn Kilpatrick was involved in her community. She was a member of the Detroit Substance Abuse Advisory Council and the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She passed away on October 7, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
