Actor Hill Harper, best known for his roles in “The Good Doctor” and “CSI: NY” announced his intention to run for Michigan’s open Senate seat on Monday.
Harper, who describes himself as a small-business owner, a union member and an activist, told the Associated Press (AP) that he feels not being a “career politician” in this race will work to his advantage. “It’s not about party. It’s about people feeling represented,” Harper said of his decision. “And being an independent voice in the U.S. Senate is something I believe Michiganders want right now,” he continued, adding that he plans to run a campaign “powered by the people, for the people,” the outlet stated.
Hill Harper, an author and actor, entered Michigan’s 2024 Senate race. He will run to the left of Representative Elissa Slotkin in what is set to be a closely watched Democratic primary race in a 2024 presidential battleground state.https://t.co/5lO3X4fE8h
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 10, 2023
Harper joins a field of five other Democrats hoping to represent Michigan in the U.S Congress after current Democratic Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced in January that she would not be seeking a fifth term. Other hopefuls include Democratic Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin, former Michigan House of Representatives Leslie Love, Michigan State Education Board member Pamela Pugh, attorney Zack Burns, and civil rights advocate Nasser Beydoun, Fox News reported. (RELATED: Wall Street Exec Considers A Senate Run For Stabenow’s Seat In Michigan)
Harper owns a home in Detroit as well as a coffee shop, Roasting Plant Coffee, which he bought in 2017. Prior to becoming an actor, Harper attended both Brown University and Harvard Law School, according to Fox 40. As a cancer survivor, Harper was appointed to President Barack Obama’s cancer panel in 2012, the outlet continued.