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Andy Levin

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Andy Levin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 9th district
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded bySander Levin
Succeeded byHaley Stevens (redistricted)
Director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth
Acting
In office
July 2010 – January 2011
GovernorJennifer Granholm
Preceded byStanley Pruss
Succeeded bySteven Hilfinger
Personal details
BornAndrew Saul Levin
(1960-08-10) August 10, 1960 (age 65)
Berkley, Michigan, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary Freeman
​
(m. 1991)​
Children4
RelativesSander Levin (father)
Carl Levin (uncle)
EducationWilliams College (BA)
University of Michigan (MA)
Harvard University (JD)
Levin's voice
Levin commemorating Leo Gerard's retirement, president of United Steelworkers.
Recorded July 15, 2019

Andrew Saul Levin (born August 10, 1960) is an American union organizer, human rights activist, attorney and politician who served as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 9th congressional district from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Levin was elected to the House in 2018, succeeding his retiring father, Sander Levin. He is the nephew of the late Carl Levin, formerly Michigan's U.S. senator from 1979 to 2015.[1]

Early life and education

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Levin was born on August 10, 1960,[2] to parents Sander Levin and Vicki (Schlafer) Levin. Andy grew up in Berkley, MI with two sisters, Jennifer and Madeleine, and a brother, Matthew.[3]

Levin earned a bachelor's degree in Religion with honors at Williams College in 1983. He earned a master's degree in Asian Languages and Culture from the University of Michigan, where he was a Mellon Fellow in the Humanities. And he earned a Juris Doctor with honors at Harvard Law School.[4]

Levin was a student activist at all three institutions. At Williams, he participated in demonstrations against nuclear weapons and extending the life of a nearby nuclear power plant, supported striking workers at a nearby factory that made the caps and gowns used by the college in graduation ceremonies, and served as an organizer for the Williams Anti-Apartheid Coalition (WAAC), which demanded that the college endowment divest of stocks in companies doing business in South Africa and launched a weeklong hunger strike that garnered national attention for the issue.[5]

At the University of Michigan, Levin was active in human rights work in Tibet and China and in Israel and Palestine. He traveled to India and China as part of his studies, and he was in Chengdu during the Tienanmen Massacre on June 4, 1989. On his return trip to the U.S. he interviewed the Dalai Lama in Los Angeles. He published accounts[6] and photographs [7]of the violent crackdown against democracy demonstrators in Chengdu and a news article about the Dalai Lama[8] and his interview with him[9] when he won the Nobel Peace Prize a few months later.

Levin helped organize and participated in an interfaith delegation to Israel and Palestine in 1990 and wrote and spoke about the negative effects of the occupation of the Palestinian Territories for both Israelis and Palestinians.[10]

At Harvard, Levin served as President of the Harvard Labor Law Project and the organizer of the Sojourner Truth Squad, which advocated for the hiring of a more diverse faculty for the law school and garnered press attention in the Harvard Law Record and Boston Globe. During his first summer of law school, Levin worked for Human Rights Watch traveling throughout the Haitian countryside interviewing people in hiding during the repression after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in 1992. His work resulted in a book-length report, Silencing a People.[11]

Early career

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Upon graduating from Williams College, Levin spent five years helping nursing home workers organize for a better life with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), first in Michigan and then in Massachusetts. After graduating from law school, he served as the staff attorney for the U.S. Commission on the Future of Worker-Management Relations in 1994 and worked in the office of Secretary of Labor Robert Reich on policy matters, particularly protecting the 40-hour work week after Newt Gingrich pledged to weaken it as part of his "Contract with America" in the 1994 election. Levin then ran the field effort of John Sweeney's successful campaign to become president of the national AFL-CIO, and from 1995-2006 Levin served as Assistant Director of Organizing there. Among his accomplishments were founding and running Union Summer in 1996 and creating and running the Voice@Work Campaign[12] to make the freedom to form unions a more widely recognized human right in the United States.

Levin returned home to Michigan in 2006 and ran as a Democrat for the 13th district seat in the Michigan State Senate that fall.[13] He lost to Republican John Pappageorge by 0.6% of the vote.[14]

In 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Levin deputy director in the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG)[15] and later named him the state's first Chief Workforce Officer.[16] He devised and oversaw the "No Worker Left Behind" program, which put over 160,000 unemployed and underemployed Michigan workers back to school to earn certificates and degrees during the auto industry implosion and Great Recession.[17] In 2010, Granholm named him Acting Director of DELEG.[18][19] Levin remained in the role for the first two months of 2011 at the request of Governor Rick Snyder, until the new governor could reorganize the department, which included a wide range of functions.

After leaving state government, Levin founded the clean energy firm Levin Energy Partners LLC and a statewide commercial property assessed clean energy program called Lean & Green Michigan.[4]

Throughout his career, Levin has written widely about human rights,[20] immigration,[21] workers' rights to organize unions,[22] AIDS[23] and other issues.

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2018

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See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 9

Levin ran to succeed his father in the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan's 9th congressional district.[24] He defeated former State Representative Ellen Lipton and attorney Martin Brook in the primary election with 52.5% of the vote.[25] Levin defeated Republican businesswoman Candius Stearns in the general election.[26]

2020

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See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 9

Levin ran for a second term in 2020. He defeated Republican Charles Langworthy and several minor candidates, with 57.8% of the vote.[27]

2022

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See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan § District 11

In the 2022 Democratic primary, Levin lost to fellow incumbent Democrat Haley Stevens. As a result of redistricting, Michigan lost a seat in the House of Representatives, resulting in Stevens' and Levin's districts being combined; the resulting district contained more of Stevens' original voters.[28]

Although Levin was president of his synagogue when he ran for Congress, and supported Jewish Israelis' right to self-determination in the Holy Land, he was virulently opposed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which provided $4.5 million for a publicity campaign against his candidacy. Levin said, "AIPAC can’t stand the idea that I am the clearest, strongest Jewish voice in Congress standing for a simple proposition: that there is no way to have a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people unless we achieve the political and human rights of the Palestinian people."[29][30]

Tenure

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In November 2020, The New York Times reported rumors that Levin was considered a possible candidate for Secretary of Labor in the Biden administration; Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh was ultimately named to the post in 2021.[31] He supports workplace measures and potential unionization of congressional staff.[32]

Levin was particularly active on climate, labor, peace and economic justice issues in Congress. Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott and Speaker Nancy Pelosi tapped Levin to help lead the effort to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act[33] through the House in 2019. Levin gave the culminating speech on the House Floor before the final vote and the Democrats' Weekly Address after successful passage.[34] Levin authored the legislation that allowed House members' own staff to organize unions, which passed on May 11, 2022.[35] Levin's own staff were the first to form a union and the first to successfully negotiate a union contract in the history of the U.S. Congress.[36]

Levin introduced multiple pieces of climate change legislation, including the EV Freedom Act[37] with AOC, the Build Green Act with Elizabeth Warren. Levin was active on foreign policy, particularly regarding Haiti. Levin organized a Haiti Caucus and recruited colleagues Yvette Clarke, Val Demings and Ayanna Pressley to co-chair it with him.[38]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Electoral history

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Michigan's 9th District Democratic primary results, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Levin 49,612 52.4
Democratic Ellen Lipton 40,174 42.5
Democratic Martin Brook 4,865 5.1
Total votes 94,651 100.0
Michigan's 9th congressional district, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Levin 181,734 59.7
Republican Candius Stearns 112,123 36.8
Working Class Andrea Kirby 6,797 2.2
Green John McDermott 3,909 1.3
Total votes 304,563 100.0
Democratic hold
Michigan's 9th congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Levin 230,318 57.7
Republican Charles Langworthy 153,296 38.4
Working Class Andrea Kirby 8,970 2.2
Libertarian Mike Saliba 6,532 1.6
Total votes 399,116 100.0
Democratic hold
Democratic primary results, Michigan's 11th congressional district, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Haley Stevens 70,508 59.91
Democratic Andy Levin 47,117 40.04
Total votes 117,681 100.0

Post-Congress

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After leaving Congress in January 2023, Levin served as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress for two years.[41] He returned to Lean & Green Michigan as Founder & Chief Strategist.[42] As of early 2026, Lean & Green Michigan had grown to include 62 local governments representing 85% of all Michiganders and had facilitated $315M of private financing for 89 water and energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on commercial and industrial buildings all over the state.[43] Levin also began consulting on energy, climate change, environmental and labor matters for progressive organizations and creative companies.

In January 2026, Levin and his wife Mary Freeman became majority owners of Stokely Creek Lodge, a cross-country ski and snowshoe Mecca in Goulais River, ON.[44]

Personal life

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Levin and his wife Mary Freeman have four adult children and live in Bloomfield Township, MI.[4] Levin is active in his Jewish synagogue. He plays ice hockey, does Iyengar yoga, and is devoted to all manner of outdoor activity, including mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hiking, and wilderness adventure, particularly in a canoe.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Amann, Paula (January 18, 2007). "In Focus: Andy Levin". Washington Jewish Week. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "Michigan new members 2019". The Hill. November 15, 2018. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "Rep. Sander Levin's wife Victoria Levin dies at 74". Crains Detroit Business. Associated Press. September 4, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Andy Levin announces bid for father's seat in Congress". Crainsdetroit.com. December 6, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  5. ^ Prakash, Maya. "Former U.S. Rep. Andy Levin '83 and Williams Anti-Apartheid Coalition members reflect on the importance of student activism". The Williams Record. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  6. ^ Levin, Andrew (June 8, 1989). "Another city suffers death, chaos; Sander Levin's son caught up in violence in Chengdu". The Detroit News. pp. 19A.
  7. ^ Levin, Andrew (March 1990). "China: The Mourning After (photos in story)". Z Magazine. pp. 92–95.
  8. ^ Levin, Andrew (October 5, 1989). "Monk walks diplomatic tightrope". The Ann Arbor News. pp. A1.
  9. ^ Levin, Andrew (January 1990). "Trouble in Tibet: The Dalai Lama's quest for peace and freedom". East West Magazine. pp. 20–24.
  10. ^ Levin, Andrew (June 4, 1990). "U.S. Jews Should Join Peace Process Debate". Detroit Jewish News. pp. 7ff.
  11. ^ "Silencing a People: The Destruction of Civil Society in Haiti". Human Rights Watch. March 1, 1993.
  12. ^ "Voice@Work-The Freedom to Choose a Union Involving Public Officials | AFL-CIO". aflcio.org. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  13. ^ "Levin says Pappageorge resorting to dirty tricks | News". theoaklandpress.com. October 28, 2006. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  14. ^ "Pappageorge defeats Levin". The Oakland Press. November 8, 2006. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "Gov. Granholm, Director Swanson announce appointment of Andy Levin as Department of Labor & Economic Growth Deputy Director". US Fed News Service. January 11, 2007. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  16. ^ "Granholm names Andy Levin as Michigan's chief workforce officer; will oversee state's workforce services". MLive.com. November 4, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "Michigan's No Worker Left Behind program reaches capacity as funding dries up". MLive.com. June 29, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  18. ^ "Andy Levin rules out run for Michigan governor". Detroitnews.com. November 21, 2017. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "Andy Levin to lead state department for energy, economy". MLive.com. Associated Press. July 19, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  20. ^ Levin, Andrew (1995). "Civil Society and Democratization in Haiti". Emory International Law Journal. 9: 389–457.
  21. ^ "US Haitian Refugee Policy - a Brutal `Alternative'". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  22. ^ Levin, Andrew (Spring 2001). "What Thirty Million Workers Want - But Can't Have". University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law. 3 (3): 551–561.
  23. ^ Levin, Andrew (Fall 1990). "AIDS isn't just 'them," it's 'us,' too". Williams Alumni Review. pp. 25–27.
  24. ^ "Andy Levin looks to take dad Sander Levin's seat in Congress". Freep.com. July 13, 2018. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  25. ^ "Andy Levin wins decisive victory in 9th Congressional District". Freep.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  26. ^ "Democrat Andy Levin wins father's U.S. House seat". Detroitnews.com. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  27. ^ Burke, Melissa Nann. "Levin wins second term in Congress". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  28. ^ Allen, Jonathan (August 2, 2022). "Rep. Haley Stevens ends Levin political dynasty in brutal Democratic primary,'". NBC News.
  29. ^ Austin Ahlman,'AIPAC Defeats Andy Levin, the Most Progressive Jewish Representative,' The Intercept 3 August 2022
  30. ^ Chris McGreal, 'Pro-Israel groups denounced after pouring funds into primary race,' The Guardian, 4 August 2022
  31. ^ "Who Are Contenders for Biden's Cabinet?". The New York Times. November 11, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  32. ^ Ben Terris. (12 May 2023). "The Drug-Fueled Protest in Dianne Feinstein’s Office You Haven’t Heard About". Politico website Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  33. ^ OnLabor (March 2, 2022). "Congressman Andy Levin's Case for the PRO Act ✦ OnLabor". onlabor.org. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  34. ^ "Congressman Andy Levin Delivers Weekly Democratic Address | Speaker Emerita Pelosi". speakeremeritapelosi.house.gov. February 7, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  35. ^ "House votes to allow staffers to unionize - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. May 11, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  36. ^ Burke, Melissa (September 26, 2022). "Levin employees vote to form first congressional staffer union". The Detroit News. p. 1.
  37. ^ Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9 (February 7, 2020). "Text - H.R.5770 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): EV Freedom Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "Press conference outside Congress to denounce torture of Haitian asylum seekers". Amnesty International. September 20, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  39. ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  40. ^ House Pro-Choice Caucus
  41. ^ "RELEASE: CAP Welcomes Rep. Andy Levin as Distinguished Senior Fellow". Center for American Progress. February 28, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  42. ^ "Meet the Team". Lean & Green MI. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  43. ^ "Homepage". Lean & Green MI. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  44. ^ Kelly, Brian (December 23, 2025). "New Owners Love Stokely Creek Lodge". Sault Star. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
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