Congressman John Conyers, Zoo Millage, Lon Johnson, Ira Todd Win in Primary

Rep. Conyers in campaign photo

Democratic Congressman John Conyers of Detroit is proving the power of incumbency.

Conyers, at 87 the longest-serving U.S. House member, coasted to an easy re-nomination victory Tuesday against Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey. He took 60% of the Democratic primary vote compared to Winfrey's 40% with 92% percent of the vote in, according to the Free Press.

Winfrey had said Conyers was resting on his legacy and had lost his effectiveness. But Conyers denied that and insisted he still had the juice to do the job.

With district being heavily Democratic, the primary is what matters most in the race.

Meanwhile, a 10-year Detroit Zoo millage renewal appeared headed for an easy passage in all three counties late Tuesday night, Bill Laitner writes in the Freep. 

 Lon Johnson, former the  Michigan Democratic chairman, easily beat opponent Jerry Cannon in the 1st Congressional District race, which includes northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. He took 78% of the vote.

In Augusta Township, Detroit homicide cop Ira Todd, a trustee in the township, won his bid for township supervisor in the Democratic primary. Todd generated 408 votes compared to incumbent Pete Hafler's 250.

Todd,  a political ally of Hafler's,  campaigned on a promise to continue addressing corruption in township hall. 

Todd, who has investigated a number of high-rofile crimes in the city over the years, and has been a consultant for TV shows and movies, including Beverly Hills Cops, has indicated that he'll retire from the police department if he wins Nov. 8.