McCampbell pushes transit, housing equity
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Denzel McCampbell inside Detroit's In Harmony Café. Photo: Joe Guillen/Axios
Fresh off his first election win, incoming District 7 Council Member Denzel McCampbell is a 33-year-old with political ties and aspirations for representing younger Detroiters.
The big picture: Axios Detroit recently caught up with McCampbell to dish about city politics, his policy agenda and even his favorite Beyoncé album.
Catch up quick: McCampbell defeated state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), 59%-40%, on Nov. 4.
- He'll succeed Fred Durhal III, who is wrapping up his council term after running unsuccessfully for mayor.
- McCampbell is one of two new City Council members who will take office in January.
- The other newbie, District 5's Renata Miller, did not respond to our inquiries.
What they're saying: McCampbell's campaign focused on issues that younger Detroiters are talking about.
- "How do we keep young folks here and bring young folks here? One thing that doesn't get talked about a lot is public transportation. We need to have a better public transportation system," he said over coffee at In Harmony Café on Dexter Avenue.
By the numbers: About 40% of the west-side district's households are low-income and the median home value of about $56,000 is the lowest of the city's seven districts, per BridgeDetroit.
State of play: McCampbell is well-known within local progressive politics.
- He worked for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib and alongside Metro Detroit's Democratic Socialists of America chapter, Progress Michigan and the Michigan Working Families Party.
Between the lines: Through his advocacy work, McCampbell says he learned how to navigate the city's bureaucracy and respond to constituents who have already started reaching out to him.
- While hoping to be a bridge for young Detroiters, he's also aware of longtime residents' pressing concerns around property taxes and home repair needs.
Inside the room: McCampbell is counting on his close relationship with District 6 Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero to build support for his plans.
- Santiago-Romero tells Axios the two share a "kind of thinking" around how public servants should serve and care for residents.
- They have similar political values and worked together in community organizing.
- They campaigned together when she ran for city council and he ran for city clerk in 2021, she says, adding: "We helped each other from the beginning to the end."
Fun fact: McCampbell also indulged our questions about his musical tastes ("Renaissance" is his top Beyoncé album), most recent restaurant visit (Ima Izakaya) and his Better Made snack of choice (hot popcorn).