Former Macomb County Judge, Prosecutor Carl Marlinga Running For Congress

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former Macomb County judge and prosecutor Carl Marlinga announced Monday his campaign for a new House seat in suburban Detroit, becoming the fourth Democrat to enter the primary for what may be among Michigan's most competitive congressional races this fall.

Judge Carl J. Marlinga | Credit: Macomb County

Marlinga, 75, retired from the bench last month after serving nine years. He said if he is elected, he would focus on ensuring there are good-paying U.S. jobs and bringing back the supply chain from countries like China.

"I love the community and as someone who has lived in the community all my life, I understand the hopes, aspirations and challenges of the families and small businesses who are my neighbors and whom I have served for nearly 40 years," he said in a statement.

The contest for the 10th Congressional District, which includes parts of Macomb and Oakland counties, has no incumbent after redistricting. Other Democratic candidates are ex-state lawmaker and current Sterling Heights council member Henry Yanez, Warren council member Angela Rogensues and activist Huwaida Arraf.

The Republican candidate is businessman and Iraq War veteran John James, the party's two-time nominee for U.S. Senate.

Marlinga was Macomb County's elected prosecutor for 20 years until 2004, when he was charged with helping a man obtain a new rape trial in exchange for contributions to Marlinga's failed 2002 congressional campaign. A federal jury acquitted Marlinga in 2006.

Republicans called Marlinga "corrupt" and said he cannot run for Congress because the state constitution prohibits judges from seeking a non-judicial office until one year after leaving office. Marlinga's campaign said the provision cannot supersede the U.S. Constitution's eligibility requirements, which include no such restriction.

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