Where Detroit City Council stands on mayoral race
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City Council members during formal session. Photo: Courtesy of the City of Detroit via Flickr
Two Detroit City Council members are running for mayor, and whether any of their seven colleagues on City Council will endorse someone in the race is a big question mark.
Why it matters: City Council leaders say the legislative body has created an environment of productive collaboration. Taking sides in a race so close to home, and so important for Detroit's future, could change the dynamic.
- City Council President Mary Sheffield and council member Fred Durhal III are among nine candidates on the ballot in the Aug. 5 primary.
State of play: It's not likely anyone will weigh in soon, but it's on the minds of observers as candidates strive to make their mark in the battle that's been the talk of the town all year.
Axios spoke with Sheffield and Durhal and reached out to the other council members or their representatives. Here's what those we heard from had to say:
In an interview with Axios at the Mackinac Policy Conference in late May, Sheffield said she thought that discussions about endorsements could happen after the primary — but also that council members were focused on their own reelection bids.
- "We also have worked extremely hard to keep a very productive and collaborative environment, and I don't want politics to get in the middle of that," she added.
Durhal also weighed in during Mackinac: "What I would say is, I don't think they weigh in right now, because one, they're running their own races. Two, you have two sitting members of the council who are running [for mayor] now … I think for them, they ask, 'What is the benefit of doing that?'"
- Like Sheffield, he told Axios the council had done a good job "building a coalition" and wanted to maintain that cohesiveness and avoid an outside narrative that the council is split.
Council member Latisha Johnson tells Axios she will not consider endorsing anyone for mayor. She will need to work collaboratively with whoever wins, she says, and doesn't want to bring unnecessary tension to that work.
- "I am primarily focused on my race [for reelection] and continuing to work in District 4," she adds.
Similarly, council member Mary Waters says that Durhal and Sheffield are both her colleagues, adding, "I'm just going to focus on my race."
As for the other members:
- Angela Whitfield Calloway attended Sheffield's launch event in December. She declined to comment about her presence at the event when Axios asked, and she also declined to comment for this story.
- Gabriela Santiago-Romero doesn't intend to endorse at this time, but she may do so after the primary, per a spokesperson.
- Scott Benson declined to comment on the issue for now.
- Other members didn't respond to requests for comment as of publication time.