Guide to Detroit's Mayoral Race: Profiles of Nine Candidates

This story was originally published by Outlier Media.

The upcoming mayoral election in Detroit marks a significant moment, as nine candidates compete to lead the city for the first time in over a decade. With current Mayor Mike Duggan choosing not to run for a fourth term, the race presents an opportunity for fresh leadership to shape Detroit's future. Candidates are gearing up to connect with voters by addressing pressing community issues.

Outlier Media is dedicated to extensive election coverage and encourages readers to voice the topics that should be prioritized by the candidates via email at briana@outliermedia.org.

Among the candidates, most have prior experience in politics, except for Solomon Kinloch. The focus areas for many include transparency in governance, public safety enhancements, improvements in transit systems, and strategies to make living in Detroit more affordable.

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Responses from candidates have been edited for brevity and clarity. Below is a snapshot of each contender:

Jonathan Barlow

Age: 40 Current Occupation: Founder of Let’s Talk Roundtable Key Issue: “They’re not reaching every family. It’s that simple…”

James Craig

Age: 68 Current Occupation: Retired, formerly Chief of Police Key Issue: “Of course, public safety is always a top issue among Detroiters…”

Fred Durhal III

Age: 41 Current Occupation: City Councilmember, District 7 Key Issue: “I would say property taxes, which leads to the wealth gap…”

Editor's Note: Detroit’s total millage for primary residences is about 67 mills.

Joel Haashiim

Age: 75 Current Occupation: Entrepreneur Key Issue: “We have the threat of our schools being defunded…”

Saunteel Jenkins

Age: 54 Current Occupation: Campaigning for Mayor (former role at The Heat and Warmth Fund) Key Issue: “The most pressing issue that our next mayor has to look at is our finances…”

Solomon Kinloch

Age: 51 Current Occupation: Senior Pastor at Triumph Church Key Issue: “I believe that the pressing issue is housing, but we have to have an overall vision in order to deal with poverty…”

Todd Perkins

Age: 55 Current Occupation: Litigator, City Attorney for Inkster, Founder of <a href="https://michiganadvance.com/2021/10