New leaders take helm of Detroit City Council
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Detroit City Council members. Photo: City of Detroit via Flickr
Detroit City Council has new leadership for the next four years after a close vote Monday.
State of play: The majority of council members, starting new terms this week with two fresh faces from November's election, chose James Tate as their new president.
- Tate, the former president pro tempore under previous President Mary Sheffield, will be joined by new pro tem Coleman Young II.
Context: The City Council president presides over sessions and has other administrative responsibilities, per the city charter. The pro tem fills in for the president when needed.
- The council president also appoints committee chairs — a crucial task that can determine who oversees discussions of contracts and development deals.
Zoom in: Tate, the longest-serving member, who joined the body in 2010, beat the other member nominated for president, Scott Benson, who has served since 2014.
- In a second vote, Young beat his sole opponent for pro tem, Mary Waters. Both Young and Tate were elected 5-4 along the same lines, potentially delineating future cracks in the lawmaking body.
Members who voted for both Tate and Young: returning members Latisha Johnson and Gabriela Santiago-Romero, new member Denzel McCampbell, and Tate and Young themselves.
- Those who voted for Benson and Waters: Returning members Angela Whitfield Calloway, Benson and Waters, as well as new member Renata Miller.
What they're saying: Tate said before the vote that he sees the position as having a responsibility to protect council's unity and dignity "at a time when uncertainty still surrounds our city, as well as our nation." He emphasized care, integrity and impact.
- Benson said he wasn't interested in "maintaining the status quo or presiding over a rubber stamp body" but wanted to foster a resilient, effective, fiscally disciplined council.
What's next: The new City Council's first formal session is Tuesday at 10am.