A Representative from Michigan; born in Detroit, Wayne County, Mich., March 2, 1957; attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H.; attended Detroit public schools; attended Governors Academy, Byfield, Mass.; B.F.A., Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., 1984; J.D., Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 1987; lawyer; aide to United States Representative John Conyers, 1989-1990; member of the Michigan state house of representatives, 1991, 1999-2003; unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Michigan state house, 1992; unsuccessful candidate for election to Detroit city council, 2001; unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Detroit, 2005; member of the Michigan state senate, 2003-2010; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Twelfth Congress (January 3, 2011-present).