DETROIT – As the political jockeying to replace former Rep. John Conyers begins, the endorsed candidate has some questions to answer.
When Conyers announced his retirement Tuesday morning on a Detroit radio station, he made it clear he wants his son, John Conyers III, to take his place.
READ: Here's who could replace Rep. John Conyers in House
His endorsement cast a bright spotlight on John Conyers III, and some alleged violence and driving issues have come to light.
"John Conyers III, who of course, I endorse to replace me in Congress," John Conyers said.
John Conyers III has lived at his parents' house in Detroit over the years and has also lived in Los Angeles. His Facebook page said he runs a hedge fund and is an aspiring rapper. He's never run for office, and a look at his background leaves many questions unanswered.
At 27 years old, John Conyers III has been thrust into the spotlight by his father, whom he defended vehemently amid sexual harassment allegations.
In this case, John Conyers III ends up vetted as any other candidate for office. Local 4 News has learned that the aspiring congressman has been driving on a suspended license for the past two and a half years.
Local 4 saw John Conyers III driving a family car on his way to the airport the morning of his father's retirement interview.
A review of his driving record shows his license was both expired and suspended after about a half-dozen suspensions since the months after he first received it.
Another troubling problem John Conyers III will have to address if he decides to run for office is an arrest in Los Angeles this March. A district attorney's charge evaluation sheet obtained by Local 4 shows John Conyers III was involved in a violent domestic dispute with his live-in girlfriend.
The report said they wrestled over a kitchen knife and the woman wound up with a cut on her bicep.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office declined to bring a case against John Conyers III because there were no other witnesses to the fight.
The report also said there are 911 tapes that reflect John Conyers III and his girlfriend screaming at each other during a pitched physical battle.
Local 4 reached out to John Conyers III through the family attorney and tried to reach him on the phone, but we have not heard back.