Clean Energy Leader, Former Job Training Chief Andy Levin Announces Campaign for 9th Congressional D

Andy Levin, clean energy entrepreneur, former head of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth and long-time organizer for human and worker’s rights, formally announced his campaign to represent Michigan’s 9th District in Congress.

In his announcement, Levin said it’s time to end the politics of division and unite all working people in a new movement for the middle class and all who aspire to it.

“After 60 years of Republican divide-and-conquer politics and 40 years of trickle down economics where wealth has in fact rushed to the top, it is time to unite around policies that raise living standards for working people,” Levin said. “We need a new movement focused on creating good jobs, education and training, protecting our air and water, and restoring faith in our government.”

As the former director of worker training for the State of Michigan, Levin created and ran No Worker Left Behind, the largest job-retraining program in the country. No Worker Left Behind provided training to 152,000 Michiganders during the great recession, the majority of whom went on to get good paying jobs.

Later, Levin founded his own clean energy business, creating good jobs while reducing carbon emissions and improving public health, air and water quality. Levin has proven that he can bring together Democrats and Republicans, business and labor.

For many years, Levin helped thousands of workers organize unions and bargain collectively for a better life, advanced the cause of human rights in South Africa, Haiti, China, Tibet and elsewhere, and advocated for a clean environment.

Levin’s combination of experience in business, labor, government and social justice activism would be unique in public life.

Former Congressman David Bonior said Levin has a strong track record of bold accomplishments and will bring a fresh approach, based on values that represent the best of Michigan.

“During his time in state government, Andy Levin demonstrated his ability to get things done during Michigan’s great recession by creating the largest job-retraining program in the country. And he has a long history of fighting for workers’ rights and human rights,” Bonior said. “I believe Andy Levin will be a strong, consistent voice for working families in Congress, and will bring the integrity and the bold ideas needed to restore the dignity and value of work and defend the rights of all.”

Andy Levin and his wife Mary Freeman live in Bloomfield Township and are the parents of four children.

The Andy Levin for Congress campaign will hold two launch events in the district on Sunday, Dec. 10. These are the first of many community discussions to come.

Location: The Green Lantern Pizzeria

Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Address: 15505 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48035

Location: Fifth Avenue Royal Oak

Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Address: 215 West Fifth Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067