CARRYING ON

Vicki Barnett

Former state House Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills), who was House Minority Whip during her third (and last) term, 2012-2014, is planning on returning to her roots. Word is that Barnett, recently stepping down as chairperson of the Oakland County Democratic Party, is planning on running for mayor of Farmington Hills in 2019, which is where she began her political career. Barnett served on the Farmington Hills City Council from 1995 to 2003, when she was elected mayor, where she reigned until 2007. She then moved on to the state House, where she never received less than 60 percent of the vote. Her most recent electoral move was to challenge Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in 2016. While she lost, it can be noted it was Patterson's tightest race – 53 percent to 46 percent. Here's to homecomings.