Former Michigan Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who previously chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, has died at the age of 80.
A political force in her native Detroit, Kilpatrick served in the House for 14 years until she lost the Democratic primary in 2010 to Hansen Clarke, who succeeded Kilpatrick in the 13th District seat.
Kilpatrick spent much of her House tenure on the Appropriations Committee, where she was known for her ability to steer millions of dollars to her district, the poorest in the state.
