The importance of the mayoral race as Detroiters choose final two
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Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
With primary Election Day tomorrow, Detroiters are choosing the two candidates who will battle to a November finish in the pivotal open-seat mayor's race.
Why it matters: Nine certified candidates want to succeed Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running for governor.
- Whoever wins will steer the city's trajectory on key areas including recovering finances, building an equitable city and growing the population.
On the ballot: Businessperson Jonathan Barlow, former police chief James Craig, City Council member Fred Durhal III, businessperson Joel Haashiim, former nonprofit CEO and ex-City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., attorney Todd Perkins, City Council President Mary Sheffield and DaNetta Simpson.
State of play: Sheffield has maintained a commanding lead on fundraising this year.
What we're hearing: Three local leaders gave Axios thoughts on what's important about this mayor's race on the eve of Election Day:
Anika Goss, CEO of influential think-tank Detroit Future City:
- Thinking about the dozens of mayoral forums on different topics, Goss says Detroiters from all walks of life are being extremely thoughtful about what they want in leadership.
- "I think they are clear that they want a middle-class city that is inclusive for everyone, and there are really specific issues they want to make sure are addressed by their next leader."
- Old tropes of focusing on name recognition over substance no longer apply — safety, job availability and creating post-high-school pathways do.
Sheila Cockrel, founder of civic engagement organization Citizen Detroit and a former City Council member:
- This election is critical because of how federal policies impact the lives of low-income people and "anybody who's not in the 1%," Cockrel says.
- The way Detroit's next mayor — and City Council — navigates that context will be hugely consequential, she adds.
Vincent Tilford, CEO of the Detroit-based Hannan Center for older adults:
- Residents over 55 are a key voting bloc and make up a quarter of the population.
- Yes, but: Conversations about their needs often leave the picture after an election ends, Tilford says.
- The next mayor's policies must span generations — not choose among them, he says, pointing to the need for more accessible design in new developments.
The bottom line: Goss says she's looking forward to narrowing the field to when "we can really begin to push for specifics" from the candidates.