Dan Kildee

Daniel Timothy Kildee (/ˈkɪldiː/; born August 11, 1958) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district since 2013 (known as the 5th congressional district until 2023). He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Dan Kildee
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Dale Kildee
Constituency	5th district (2013–2023) 8th district (2023–present)
Personal details
Born	Daniel Timothy Kildee (1958-08-11) August 11, 1958 (age 65) Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jennifer Kildee ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	3
Relatives	Dale Kildee (uncle)
Education	University of Michigan–Flint Central Michigan University (BS)
Website	House website
Dan Kildee's voice Dan Kildee speaks on legislation to control insulin pricing Recorded March 31, 2022

From 1977 to 2009, Kildee was a municipal elected official. On November 6, 2012, he was elected the U.S. representative for Michigan's 5th district, succeeding his uncle, Dale Kildee.^[1]

Early life and education

Kildee was born in Flint, Michigan. He attended Flint Northern High School and Central Michigan University. In 2008, he finished his coursework at CMU, earning a B.S. in community development administration.^[2][3]

Flint local political career

At age 18, Kildee became one of the nation's youngest elected officials when he was elected to the Flint Board of Education in 1977.^[4]

In 1984, Kildee was elected to serve on Genesee County's board of commissioners, subsequently serving for 12 years, including five as chair.^[5]

In 1991, he ran for mayor of Flint. He was one of four candidates to challenge incumbent Mayor Matthew Collier in the August 6 nonpartisan primary election. City Councilman Woodrow Stanley finished first with 24% of the vote. Collier ranked second with 23% of the vote, qualifying for the November election. Kildee finished third with 18%.^[6]

County Treasurer

In 1996, Kildee was elected Genesee County Treasurer. He was reelected in 2000, 2004, and 2008. He was reelected in 2008 with 72% of the vote.^[7]

Land Bank

In 2002, Kildee helped create the Genesee County Land Bank, a Washington-D.C. based nonprofit organization focused on urban decay.^[8][9] The land bank has helped to clean up vacant and abandoned structures in the community.^[10]

The Genessee County Land Bank was the first community land bank in the U.S. The concept of community land banks has since expanded to other U.S. cities.^[11][12]

Center for Community Progress

In 2009, Kildee co-founded and served as president of the Center for Community Progress, a nonprofit focused on urban revitalization.^[13][14] He resigned as county treasurer to oversee the group.^[15]

U.S. House of Representatives

 

Dan Kildee at the spring 2017 Michigan Democratic Convention

Elections

2012

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 5

Kildee's uncle, Dale Kildee, served in the House of Representatives representing Michigan's 5th congressional district.^[16] In July 2011, Dale Kildee announced he would retire from Congress.^[17] Dan Kildee declared his candidacy for the House on November 1, 2011.^[1] He was unchallenged in the Democratic primary. In the November election, he defeated Republican State Representative Jim Slezak, 65% to 31%.^[17]

Tenure

 

Kildee meets with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.

In January 2013, then-House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer appointed Kildee assistant whip. His fellow freshmen Democratic members elected Kildee to serve as their representative to the caucus's Steering and Policy Committee.^[18]

In 2019, Kildee helped secure $11.2 million in federal funding to demolish blighted homes in Saginaw.^[19] He supported Steny Hoyer's "Make it in America" legislation, which would remove tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas.^[20]

In a September 2016 speech on the U.S. House floor, Kildee claimed that House Republican leaders were refusing to approve emergency aid to Flint because a majority of its residents are Black.^[21] Congress passed a funding measure that provided $170 million in aid to communities including Flint that sought infrastructure improvements for their water.^[22]

As of September 2022, Kildee had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.^[23]

Political positions

Gun policy

In 2022, Kildee voted for H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.^[24][25]

Abortion

Kildee is a supporter of abortion rights and emphasized the issue during his 2022 reelection race.^[26] In September 2022, he hosted a reproductive rights roundtable alongside Representative Sara Jacobs in Midland, Michigan.^[27]

COVID-19 policy

On January 31, 2023, Kildee voted against H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.^[28][29]

On February 1, 2023, Kildee voted against a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency.^[30][31]

Inflation

Kildee voted for the Inflation Reduction Act. Kildee has attributed the rising rates of inflation to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[32]

Immigration

In 2019, Kildee voted for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's amendment to H.R. 2500, which would prohibit the president from deploying troops on the southern border to enforce immigration law.^[33]

Impeachment of Donald Trump

Kildee voted to impeach then-president Donald Trump in both 2019 and 2021.^[34] On July 27, 2019, he was one of 95 Democrats to vote against the motion to table H. Res. 498, which would table the impeachment inquiry into Trump.^[35][36]

Filibuster

Kildee has criticized the 60-vote majority Senate rule and compared it to Jim Crow Era laws.^[37]

Electric vehicles

Kildee introduced legislation that included a provision for a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicle buyers.^[38][39]

Private property

In 2014, Kildee voted against H.R. 1944: The Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2014, which would have prohibited government use of eminent domain for the purpose of economic development.^[40][41]

Religion

In April 2018, Kildee, Jared Huffman, Jamie Raskin, and Jerry McNerney launched the Congressional Freethought Caucus.^[42] The Freethought Caucus advocates for more non-religious representation in Congress and opposes state promotion of religion.^[43]

Kildee supports humanist chaplains and in 2013, Kildee voted against an amendment that would prohibit funds from being used to appoint chaplains without an endorsing agency.^[44][45]

Reparations

Kildee is a sponsor of H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. The bill would allow history books to go into more depth on African American struggles and set up a reparations commission for those with enslaved ancestors.^[46][47]

Syria

In 2013, Kildee voted in favor of intervention and arming the Syrian Opposition against Bashar al-Assad and ISIS.^[48]

Trade

In 2022, Kildee was among the representatives to sign a letter calling on President Joe Biden to lift tariffs on China.^[49][50]

Ukraine

Kildee has voted in favor of aid to Ukraine.^[32]

Voting rights

 

Kildee speaks at a 2017 rally against gerrymandering.

Kildee voted for the Ayanna Pressley amendment to H.R. 1, the Voting Rights Act which would lower the voting age to 16.^[51]

On February 9, 2023, Kildee voted against H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 which condemns the District of Columbia's plan that would allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.^[52][53]

Committee assignments

• Ways and Means Committee^[54]
• House Budget Committee^[55]

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Progressive Caucus^[56] (former)
• Afterschool Caucuses^[57]
• Congressional Freethought Caucus
• Blue Collar Caucus
• House Pro-Choice Caucus^[58]

Gubernatorial campaigns

Kildee was a candidate in the 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election,^[59] setting up an exploratory committee and filing to run.^[60] He ultimately dropped out of the race.^[13] He was also rumored to be considering a run in the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election, but publicly declared he would not run.^[61]

Personal life

Kildee has been married to Jennifer Kildee since 1988. They have three children.^[17]

On March 31, 2023, Kildee announced that he had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, saying that a "very small tumor" had been found in one of his tonsils. He said he would undergo surgery and described his prognosis as "excellent".^[62]

References

1. Burns, Gus (May 14, 2012). "Three contenders have officially filed to run for Democratic U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee's seat in Washington D.C." The Saginaw News. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
2. "New House members of 113th Congress: K-L-M - Politico Staff". Politico.Com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
3. . Cm-life.com. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
4. Ryan Garza (November 7, 2012). "Dan Kildee: Congressman-elect quickly finds himself in the spotlight". MLive.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
5. Fonger, Ron (July 15, 2011). "Dan Kildee says he will consider running for uncle's congressional seat". The Flint Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
6. Detroit Free Press, August 8, 1991 @ "Flint, MI Mayor - Primary Race - Aug 06, 1991". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
7. "Genesee County Treasurer Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
8. Mostafavi, Beata (December 18, 2009). "Dan Kildee: National efforts to clear blight will be based in Flint". The Flint Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
9. Streitfeld, David (April 21, 2009). "An Effort to Save Flint, Mich., by Shrinking It". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
10. Kinchen, Dave (December 18, 2009). "Dan Kildee prepares for national urban blight work". Clio, MI: WEYI-TV. Retrieved September 18, 2012.^{[dead link]}
11. McClelland, Edward (October 14, 2013). "Flint's Man in Washington". nextcity.org. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
12. Leonard, Tom (June 12, 2009). "US cities may have to be bulldozed in order to survive". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
13. Angus, Laura (March 5, 2010). "Dan Kildee announces his withdrawal from race for Michigan governor". The Flint Journal. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
14. Longley, Kristin (March 8, 2012). "Dan Kildee: Reform land sales process to stop spread of blight". The Flint Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
15. Longley, Kristin (November 1, 2011). "Dan Kildee announcing run for 5th District seat in U.S. Congress to be vacated by uncle, U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee". The Flint Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
16. Harris, David (July 16, 2011). "Filling U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee's Congressional seat will be a free-for-all, expert says". The Flint Journal. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
17. Thorne, Blake (November 7, 2012). "Dan Kildee: Congressman-elect quickly finds himself in the spotlight". The Flint Journal. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
18. Courtesy photo (January 8, 2013). "U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee of Flint appointed assistant Democratic whip". MLive.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
19. "Congressman Dan Kildee: Demolition of 950 Saginaw homes 'first step' toward growth". MLive.com. October 15, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
20. AP File Photo (April 10, 2013). "Kildee backs 'Make it in America' plan aimed at manufacturing rebirth". MLive.com. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
21. . Washington Post. September 27, 2016. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
22. "House OKs Flint aid measure, averts shutdown". The Detroit News. September 28, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
23. Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
24. McKend, Daniella Diaz, Annie Grayer, Eva (July 29, 2022). "House passes assault-style weapons ban | CNN Politics". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
25. "H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 -- House Vote #410 -- Jul 29, 2022". GovTrack.us.
26. "Democrats stake their House majority on abortion". POLITICO. October 3, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
27. Ritter, Victoria (September 19, 2022). "Kildee hosts reproductive rights roundtable in Midland". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
28. "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". January 31, 2023.
29. "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on". August 12, 2015.
30. "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.
31. "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". August 12, 2015.
32. "Junge, Kildee reflect on inflation, gun control". October 12, 2022.
33. "H.Amdt. 558 (Ocasio-Cortez) to H.R. 2500: To prohibit the President … -- House Vote #467 -- Jul 12, 2019".
34. "Dan Kildee on Trump impeachment: 'The president is trampling all over the law'". The Washington Times.
35. "Roll Call 483 Roll Call 483, Bill Number: H. Res. 498, 116th Congress, 1st Session". July 17, 2019.
36. "House Votes To Table Trump Impeachment Resolution". HuffPost. July 17, 2019.
37. Bade, Gavin (August 28, 2022). "Glory Days: In Michigan, Nostalgia For A Romanticized Past Outstrips The Reality of An Economic Rebirth". POLITICO.
38. "U.S. lawmaker working on EV tax credit in budget bill to support union jobs". Automotive News. September 1, 2021.
39. "Biden bill includes boost for union-made electric vehicles". PBS NewsHour. November 11, 2021.
40. "H.R. 1944 (113th): Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2014 -- House Vote #67 -- Feb 26, 2014".
41. "H.R.1944 - Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2014".
42. Manchester, Julia (April 30, 2018). "Dem lawmakers launch 'Freethought' congressional caucus". The Hill. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
43. "The latest faith group to launch a congressional caucus? The nonreligious". May 2018.
44. "Lawmaker pushing amendment to prevent 'nonsense' of military including atheist chaplains". al. July 24, 2013.
45. "H.Amdt. 375 (Fleming) to H.R. 2397: Amendment prohibits the use … -- House Vote #392 -- Jul 23, 2013". GovTrack.us.
46. "Biden backs reparations study, as House Dems push for commission". February 18, 2021.
47. Jackson Lee, Sheila (April 14, 2021). "Text - H.R.40 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act". www.congress.gov.
48. "H.Amdt. 1141 (McKeon) to H.J.Res. 124: Amendment authorizes the Secretary … -- House Vote #507 -- Sep 17, 2014".
49. "Congressional Letter to USTR on 301 Exclusion Process" (PDF). United States Congress. January 20, 2022. (PDF) from the original on January 13, 2023.
50. "DelBene, Kind, LaHood, Walorski Lead 100+ Bipartisan Lawmakers in Calling on USTR to Establish New Tariff Exclusion Process". April 28, 2021.
51. "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 57".
52. "House votes to overturn D.C.'s illegal immigrant voting plan". The Washington Times.
53. "H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia … -- House Vote #118 -- Feb 9, 2023".
54. "Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives, 116th Congress". U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
55. "Membership, House Budget Committee Democrats". U.S. House of Representatives. March 31, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
56. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
57. "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
58. "Members". House Pro Choice Caucus. August 19, 2021.
59. Fonger, Ron (February 1, 2010). "Dan Kildee's support growing—at least on Facebook". The Flint Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
60. "Statewide: Dan Kildee files to begin run for governor". Detroit Free Press. February 24, 2010. p. A3. Retrieved September 18, 2012. (subscription required)
61. "U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee will forgo race for governor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
62. Solender, Andrew (March 31, 2023). "Michigan Rep. Dan Kildee diagnosed with cancer". Axios. Retrieved March 31, 2023.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dan Kildee.

• Congressman Dan Kildee official U.S. House website
• Campaign website
• Dan Kildee at Curlie

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Dale Kildee	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 5th congressional district 2013–2023	Succeeded by Tim Walberg
Preceded by Elissa Slotkin	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th congressional district 2023–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by David Joyce	United States representatives by seniority 135th	Succeeded by Derek Kilmer