Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick

Carolyn Kilpatrick
Official portrait, c. 2009
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byBarbara-Rose Collins
Succeeded byHansen Clarke
Constituency15th district (1997–2003)
13th district (2003–2011)
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office
January 1, 1979 – January 1, 1997
Preceded byJackie Vaughn III
Succeeded byKwame Kilpatrick
Constituency18th district (1979–1982)
8th district (1983–1992)
9th district (1993–1996)
Personal details
BornCarolyn Jean Cheeks
(1945-06-25)June 25, 1945
DiedOctober 7, 2025(2025-10-07) (aged 80)
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Bernard Kilpatrick
​
​
(m. 1968; div. 1981)​
Children2, including Kwame
EducationFerris State University (attended)
Western Michigan University (BS)
University of Michigan (MS)

Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick (June 25, 1945 – October 7, 2025) was an American politician who was a U.S. representative from 1997 to 2011, first for Michigan's 15th congressional district and then for Michigan's 13th congressional district. She was a member of the Democratic Party. In August 2010 she lost the Democratic primary election to Hansen Clarke, who replaced her in January 2011 after winning the 2010 general election. Kilpatrick was also the mother of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.