Derek Bailey, Grand Traverse Band chair, to run for Congress

Friday, September 30, 2011  

Derek Bailey, the chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, is running for Congress.

Bailey is seeking the Democratic nod for Michigan's 1st Congressional District. He will make his formal announcement tomorrow.

"In Congress we need vibrant, creative and strong leadership in advancing the needs of the citizens in northern Michigan," Bailey said in a statement to Up North Live. "We need to look at reigning in spending and reducing the nation's overwhelming pile of debt. We need to look at sensible tax policies that are balanced, fair and responsible, and that address needs of working people and not energy companies, which have seen record profits."

If elected, Bailey will be the second Native American in Congress. The other is Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Bailey will be holding three events tomorrow in Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City.

Get the Story:
Tribal chairman Bailey to run for Congress (The Detroit News 9/30)
Derek Bailey announces plans to run for Congress (Up North Live 9/30)