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Miller Running for Public Works Commissioner Instead of Congress

'I never said I was going to retire,' she says

Miller is the only female committee chair this Congress. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Miller is the only female committee chair this Congress. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Rep. Candice S. Miller, R-Mich., announced Wednesday that she is running for Macomb County public works commissioner after having previously deciding to not seek re-election to Congress.  

“I never said I was going to retire,” she said in a YouTube video announcing her candidacy. “I’m way too young to retire.”  

Miller said she decided not to run for re-election to the House because it was time for her to be back home in Macomb County. Her decision to run for public works commissioner was based on her longtime advocacy for protecting local water sources and ensuring people have access to clean, fresh water.  

“A big part of that means addressing inadequate underground infrastructure for both our sewer and our water,” she said, pledging to roll up her sleeves and get to work for the residents of Macomb County.  

Macomb County is in eastern Michigan, just north of Detroit and about an hour’s drive from Flint, where lead found in the city’s water supply has created a major crisis for the area. The major water body in Macomb is Lake St Clair.  

Miller was one of the first causalities from the 114th Congress, initially announcing in March 2015 that she would not run again in 2016.  

She’s not the first lawmaker to seek public office back home after years in federal office. Others before her have also run for county positions, the state legislature or even been appointed to state-wide secretary positions.  


Contact McPherson at lindseymcpherson@rollcall.com and follow her on Twitter @lindsemcpherson. 

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