Andy Levin

Andrew Saul Levin (born August 10, 1960) is an American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 9th congressional district from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Levin was elected to the House in 2018, succeeding his retiring father, Sander Levin. He is the nephew of Carl Levin, a former U.S. senator.[1]

Andy Levin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 9th district
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded bySander Levin
Succeeded byLisa McClain (redistricting)
Director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth
Acting
In office
July 2010 – January 2011
GovernorJennifer Granholm
Preceded byStanley Pruss
Succeeded bySteven Hilfinger
Personal details
Born
Andrew Saul Levin

(1960-08-10) August 10, 1960
Berkley, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary Freeman
​
(m. 1991)​
Children4
RelativesSander Levin (father)
Carl Levin (uncle)
EducationWilliams College (BA)
University of Michigan (MA)
Harvard University (JD)

Early life and education

Levin was born on August 10, 1960,[2] to parents Sander Levin and Vicki Schlafer. Sander was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982. Andy grew up with two sisters, Jennifer and Madeleine, and a brother, Matthew.[3]

Levin graduated from Williams College with a bachelor's degree. He earned a master's degree in Asian languages and culture from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.[4]

Early career

Levin was a staff attorney for the U.S. Commission on the Future of Worker-Management Relations in 1994 and worked as a trade union organizer and director. He ran as a Democrat for the 13th district seat in the Michigan State Senate in 2006.[5] He lost to Republican John Pappageorge by 0.6% of the vote.[6] After the election, he directed Voice@Work, a program seeking to expand trade union membership.[1]

In 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Levin deputy director in the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG).[7] He oversaw the "No Worker Left Behind" program, which provided job training to unemployed workers.[8] In 2009, Granholm named him chief workforce officer.[9] In 2010, Granholm named him acting director of DELEG, a role he served in until the end of her administration in 2011.[10][11] He founded the clean energy firm Levin Energy Partners LLC and serves as president of Lean & Green Michigan.[4]

U.S. House of Representatives

2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 9

Levin ran to succeed his father in the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan's 9th congressional district.[12] He defeated former State Representative Ellen Lipton and attorney Martin Brook in the primary election with 52.5% of the vote.[13] Levin defeated Republican businesswoman Candius Stearns in the general election.[14]

2020
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 9

Levin ran for a second term in 2020. He defeated Republican Charles Langworthy and several minor candidates, with 57.8% of the vote.[15]

2022
See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 11

In the 2022 Democratic primary, Levin lost to fellow incumbent Democrat Haley Stevens. As a result of redistricting, Michigan lost a seat in the House of Representatives, resulting in Stevens' and Levin's districts being combined, though the resulting district contained more of Stevens' original voters.[16] A Zionist and former synagogue leader known for his critical views of hard-line Israeli policies, Levin was opposed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which provided $4 million for a negative publicity campaign against his candidacy. Levin has said, "AIPAC can’t stand the idea that I am the clearest, strongest Jewish voice in Congress standing for a simple proposition: that there is no way to have a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people unless we achieve the political and human rights of the Palestinian people."[17][18]

Tenure

In November 2020, The New York Times reported rumors that Levin was considered a possible candidate for Secretary of Labor in the Biden administration; Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh was ultimately named to the post in 2021.[19] He supports workplace measures and potential unionization of congressional staff.[20]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Electoral history
Michigan's 9th District Democratic primary results, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Levin 49,612 52.4
Democratic Ellen Lipton 40,174 42.5
Democratic Martin Brook 4,865 5.1
Total votes 94,651 100.0
Michigan's 9th congressional district, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Levin 181,734 59.7
Republican Candius Stearns 112,123 36.8
Working Class Andrea Kirby 6,797 2.2
Green John McDermott 3,909 1.3
Total votes 304,563 100.0
Democratic hold
Michigan's 9th congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Levin 230,318 57.7
Republican Charles Langworthy 153,296 38.4
Working Class Andrea Kirby 8,970 2.2
Libertarian Mike Saliba 6,532 1.6
Total votes 399,116 100.0
Democratic hold
Democratic primary results, Michigan's 11th congressional district, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Haley Stevens 70,508 59.91
Democratic Andy Levin 47,117 40.04
Total votes 117,681 100.0

Personal life

Levin and his wife Mary (née Freeman) have four children, and live in Bloomfield Township.[4] Levin is Jewish.

See also

References
  1. Amann, Paula (January 18, 2007). "In Focus: Andy Levin". Washington Jewish Week. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  2. "Michigan new members 2019". The Hill. November 15, 2018. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  3. "Rep. Sander Levin's wife Victoria Levin dies at 74". Crains Detroit Business. Associated Press. September 4, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  4. "Andy Levin announces bid for father's seat in Congress". Crainsdetroit.com. December 6, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  5. "Levin says Pappageorge resorting to dirty tricks | News". theoaklandpress.com. October 28, 2006. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  6. "Pappageorge defeats Levin". The Oakland Press. November 8, 2006. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  7. "Gov. Granholm, Director Swanson announce appointment of Andy Levin as Department of Labor & Economic Growth Deputy Director". US Fed News Service. January 11, 2007. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  8. "Michigan's No Worker Left Behind program reaches capacity as funding dries up". MLive.com. June 29, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  9. "Granholm names Andy Levin as Michigan's chief workforce officer; will oversee state's workforce services". MLive.com. November 4, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  10. "Andy Levin rules out run for Michigan governor". Detroitnews.com. November 21, 2017. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  11. "Andy Levin to lead state department for energy, economy". MLive.com. Associated Press. July 19, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  12. "Andy Levin looks to take dad Sander Levin's seat in Congress". Freep.com. July 13, 2018. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  13. "Andy Levin wins decisive victory in 9th Congressional District". Freep.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  14. "Democrat Andy Levin wins father's U.S. House seat". Detroitnews.com. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  15. Burke, Melissa Nann. "Levin wins second term in Congress". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  16. Allen, Jonathan (August 2, 2022). "Rep. Haley Stevens ends Levin political dynasty in brutal Democratic primary,'". NBC News.
  17. Austin Ahlman,'AIPAC Defeats Andy Levin, the Most Progressive Jewish Representative,' The Intercept 3 August 2022
  18. Chris McGreal, 'Pro-Israel groups denounced after pouring funds into primary race,' The Guardian 4 August 2022
  19. "Who Are Contenders for Biden's Cabinet?". The New York Times. November 11, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  20. Ben Terris. (12 May 2023). "The Drug-Fueled Protest in Dianne Feinstein’s Office You Haven’t Heard About". Politico website Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  21. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  22. House Pro-Choice Caucus
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