2 Conyers relatives, Coleman Young II among large candidates for open seat

(WJBK) - Listeners tuning into the Mildred Gaddis radio show heard Congressman John Conyers say that he's retiring as of Tuesday. 

But that was not the only bombshell that was dropped by the congressman.

"He is supporting his son John Conyers III to replace him," Gaddis said.

Political consultant Steve Hood is not surprised at the elder Conyers' recommendation.

"It's a father thing, that is what fathers do," Hood said. "If Coleman Young Senior was around he would have endorsed his son."

And speaking of Coleman Young, the state senator, he's looking to go to Congress.

"It is shaping up to be a Conyers versus Conyers versus Young," Hood said.

And the other Conyers is Michigan Senator Ian Conyers.

Conyers' 13th Congressional District is not just Detroit. About half of that is in the suburbs.

"Somebody who doesn't live in Detroit can take the seat," Hood said.

Westland Mayor Bill Wild, State Sen. David Knezak (D-Dearborn Heights) are two names also mentioned as possible candidates. 

Under the law, Gov. Snyder will have to call for a special election which likely will take place next year in 2018. But it is also a year where people who want to run for Congress would be running. 

"That's crazy," Hood said. "It is about $500,000 worth of costs."

But only one has the endorsement of the man who until now, occupied that position. But what do we know about Conyers' 27-year-old son John Conyers III?

FOX 2 stopped by the home of Conyers but the Internet gave us a glimpse of his interests at least. Going under the YouTube name "Its Mr. Conyers" he appears in a couple of music videos.

He is also credited with writing a handful of articles for the Huffington post with a bio that says he splits time between Detroit and Los Angeles. His bio also says he is a partner in a Detroit-based hedge fund and graduate of Morehouse University.
 
But it will likely come down to voters to see if his legacy will follow in the footsteps of his father.

Conyers is maintained that he is not resigning because of any allegation of sexual harassment. Why is he retiring?

"The guy is tired," Hood said. "He has been through hell and he doesn't need it. You have got all these people coming out of the woodwork. And by resigning he stops the investigation, he
stops everything cold."