As Detroit gears up to elect a new mayor, the city’s political landscape is bustling with activity. With the current Mayor Mike Duggan stepping down to pursue a gubernatorial run, the mayoral race is drawing significant attention. Nine candidates are vying for the position, promising a spirited campaign.
Mayor Duggan, who first took office in 2013 and secured re-election twice with substantial support, leaves behind a city experiencing its first population increase in decades. This growth, though modest at under 2,000 people from 2022 to 2023, marks a pivotal moment for Detroit.
Key Issues Facing Detroit Voters
Briana Rice, a reporter from Outlier Media in Detroit, shared insights with Michigan Public Radio’s Doug Tribou. A survey commissioned by Outlier and conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that Detroit residents are primarily concerned with housing, transportation, safety, utility, and healthcare costs. Interestingly, these issues fall under the purview of city governance, yet many residents express a lack of trust in local officials. According to the survey, over 20% of respondents reported having no trust in the local government, while only 9% expressed complete trust.
Rice emphasized, “I want to ask candidates directly, what are you gonna do about transit? How are you going to make Detroiters feel safer? And we have some pretty big housing needs in a lot of Detroit.” Her inquiries aim to delve into how the candidates plan to address these pressing concerns.
Demographic Shifts and Development
Detroit’s demographic landscape has shifted under Duggan’s administration, with a noticeable increase in white residents, particularly in central areas. However, development largely remains concentrated within the central 7.2 miles of the city. This has led many Detroiters to question when expansion will reach broader regions, a significant talking point for the mayoral candidates.
Meet the Candidates
For those interested in the candidates’ backgrounds and priorities, Outlier Media has published a guide. Here’s a brief overview:
Jonathan Barlow (40): Founder of Let’s Talk Roundtable, engaging community leaders on Detroit’s challenges.
James Craig (68): Former Detroit police chief and gubernatorial candidate, currently retired.
Fred Durhal III (41): A city council member for District 7.
Joel Haashiim (75): Entrepreneur and former wholesale distributor.
Saunteel Jenkins (54): Recently retired from the Heat and Warmth Fund, former city council member.
Solomon Kinloch (51): Senior pastor at Triumph Church.
Todd Perkins (55): Litigator, Inkster city attorney, and founder of The People’s Voice nonprofit.
Mary Sheffield (37): Current city council president and the youngest candidate.
DaNetta Simpson (53): Retired cosmetologist.
The Path to November: Election Logistics
Detroit’s nonpartisan primary, scheduled for August 5, will narrow the field from nine candidates to the two top vote-getters who will proceed to the general election in November. Despite the importance of these primaries, voter turnout commonly peaks during presidential elections. Thus, this primary is crucial in shaping Detroit’s future leadership.
—
Read More Michigan News
