politics

The Gilbert Family Foundation's Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF) is partnering with Barton Malow and Invest Detroit to host a networking event during National Construction Inclusion Week on October 14, 2025, at Barton Malow's Southfield headquarters. This initiative aims to connect Detroit-based contractors, particularly minority- and woman-owned businesses, with major industry players to help them access opportunities within Detroit's booming construction sector, which currently has over $5 billion in construction and rehabilitation projects underway. The event will feature representatives from numerous organizations including the City of Detroit Land Bank and Detroit Development Fund, providing contractors with direct access to decision-makers and information about available resources to help them compete in the growing market.

David Hogg, founder of Leaders We Deserve PAC and former DNC vice chair, has announced support for state Rep. Donavan McKinney's challenge against incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in Michigan's 13th Congressional District. Hogg criticized Thanedar as "out-of-touch" and "ineffective," specifically mentioning concerns about constituent services and campaign finance practices. Several Black leaders from Wayne County, including former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, have also backed McKinney's bid, expressing desire for Black representation in a district that includes parts of Detroit. Thanedar has defended his record by highlighting his work on healthcare and immigration issues while pointing to his previous electoral success in Detroit.

The Michigan Chronicle has announced their endorsements for the Detroit City Council elections taking place on November 4, coinciding with the mayoral election where all nine council seats are contested. Through an interview process, the editorial board evaluated candidates for two at-large positions and seven district seats based on their experience, vision, and community commitment. The Chronicle endorsed Mary Waters and Coleman A. Young II for the at-large seats, citing their proven advocacy for Detroit neighborhoods, transparency, and ability to provide stability during the mayoral transition. For the district seats, the endorsed candidates include current Council President Pro Tem James Tate (District 1), Angela Whitfield-Calloway (District 2), Scott Benson (District 3), Latisha Johnson (District 4), Renata Miller (District 5), and Gabriela Santiago-Romero (District 6).

Bruce Simpson has completed a 10-year term as Detroit's ombudsman, during which he doubled his office size and processed over 74,000 complaints. His tenure included issuing 50 policy recommendations and conducting 1,440 community meetings to raise awareness about the office's role in helping residents and businesses. Simpson's final report highlights issues with the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), which generated 62% of complaints, and includes recommendations like making the Office of Immigration Affairs permanent and improving code enforcement. Former state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo has been selected as Simpson's successor for the next 10-year term.

Detroit's mayoral race between City Council President Mary Sheffield and Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. will feature two scheduled debates following their top finishes in the August 5 primary election. The first debate will be held October 15 at WXYZ-TV's studios, moderated by Chuck Stokes and Carolyn Clifford, while a second debate is scheduled for October 27 on Fox 2's The Pulse. Sheffield leads significantly with 51% of primary votes compared to Kinloch's 17%, garnering support from unions and billionaires, while Kinloch has secured endorsements from organizations like the UAW and has recently criticized Sheffield over an ethics concern regarding concert tickets.

The new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, an $80 million development spanning 22 acres along Detroit's Southwest riverfront, is set to open on October 25th. The park features numerous attractions including a four-acre playground, water garden, sports pavilion, and distinctive animal-shaped structures like a 20-foot bear slide. Matt Cullen, CEO of the Riverfront Conservancy, described it as potentially "the most iconic park in the United States," comparing it to Chicago's popular Millennium Park. The development includes several sponsored zones such as the Delta Dental Play Garden, Clinton-Huron MetroParks Water Garden, William Davidson Sports House, and DTE Foundation Summit, with grand opening celebrations featuring The Jacksons performing during Detroit Harvest Fest.

The Michigan Chronicle editorial board has officially endorsed Mary Sheffield for Mayor of Detroit in the upcoming November election. The board cites Sheffield's detailed policy plans, decade of experience in Detroit politics, and proven track record as City Council President as key factors in their decision. While acknowledging both candidates' similar aspirations for neighborhood investment and tax relief, the board emphasized Sheffield's superior grasp of funding mechanisms and budgetary constraints. Sheffield's platform focuses on neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, police accountability, and improved city services, with specific initiatives like a new Department of Human, Homeless and Family Services and district-based Neighborhood Opportunity and Empowerment Hubs.

Detroit is considering significant zoning amendments that would expand residential districts to allow multi-unit buildings, modify dimensional requirements for vacant lots, permit more accessory units, and reduce parking requirements. The Detroit Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and vote this Thursday on whether to recommend these changes to the City Council, which would need to authorize them by November 25. These amendments primarily focus on the R2 zoning district, which comprises 25% of Detroit's lots, half of which are vacant. City officials and organizations like Strong Towns Detroit argue these changes would increase housing supply, reduce pricing pressure, and eliminate barriers to development in underdeveloped areas.

Justin Onwenu, Detroit's entrepreneurship and economic opportunity director, has launched a campaign for Michigan's redrawn 1st Senate District, potentially facing a competitive Democratic primary. In his announcement, Onwenu criticized Michigan politics for failing to pass key legislation during last year's lame duck session when Democrats controlled all branches of government. With experience as an attorney, environmental justice organizer, and small business advocate, Onwenu aims to strengthen labor rights, address wage inequality, and implement statewide entrepreneurship programs similar to Detroit's Motor City Match. If elected, the 29-year-old would become the youngest and only Black male in the Michigan state Senate.

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist publicly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza at an Arab American conference, calling it genocide and pledging not to accept money from pro-Israel lobby AIPAC in his gubernatorial campaign. His stance marks a significant break from other Democratic candidates in Michigan, where a large Arab American community and Jewish population coexist. Gilchrist criticized using American taxpayer dollars to fund weapons while Palestinian civilians suffer, positioning himself differently from fellow gubernatorial candidates Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. His comments come as Michigan Democrats face internal division over the Israel-Gaza conflict following Hamas' October 2023 attack and Israel's subsequent military campaign.

A deadly attack occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, when Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old former Marine, crashed his vehicle into the building, opened fire on congregants, and set the church ablaze during a Sunday service. The incident killed four people and injured eight others before police killed the suspect in a shootout less than 10 minutes after the attack began. Officials described the shooting as a "targeted act of violence" but are still investigating the motive, with the White House press secretary suggesting Sanford "hated people of the Mormon faith." Investigators have interviewed over 100 victims and witnesses and discovered makeshift explosive devices at the scene.

A violent attack occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, when 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford drove a vehicle into the building during Sunday services, opened fire with an assault-style rifle, and started a fire, resulting in at least four deaths and eight injuries. The assailant, a Marine Corps veteran, was killed by police within eight minutes of beginning his rampage, which authorities are investigating as an "act of targeted violence" though the motive remains unclear. The attack caused extensive fire damage to the church building, which was attended by hundreds of people at the time. FBI and local authorities have responded with 100 FBI agents deployed to assist with the investigation, while also addressing and clearing additional bomb threats at multiple other locations.

Esther Haugabook has announced the end of her write-in campaign for Detroit's District 5 City Council seat, choosing instead to focus on advocating for housing affordability, homeowner protections, and transparency issues. The November 4 general election will now proceed between UAW retiree Renata Miller and Board of Police Commissioner Willie Burton, who finished ahead of Haugabook in the primary. Haugabook emphasized that her withdrawal is not a concession but a redirection of her efforts, while keeping open the possibility of running again in 2029. District 5 is considered one of Detroit's most active council districts, encompassing downtown, Midtown, and numerous important landmarks across both east and west sides of the city.

Michigan voters can now cast absentee ballots for the November general election, with options to submit by mail or in person at clerk's offices or official drop boxes by 8 p.m. on November 4. Registered voters have until November 3 at 4 p.m. to apply for absentee ballots, while same-day registration remains available through Election Day. Voting rights advocates recommend submitting mail-in ballots by October 22 to avoid postal delays that could affect timely delivery. The Detroit mayoral race between City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. headlines a ballot that also includes contests for city clerk, city council, the board of police commissioners, and community advisory council positions.

The Detroit City Council is in the final stages of selecting a new city ombudsman from ten finalists, with a vote expected as early as next week. The ombudsman position, which comes with a ten-year term and $195,000 salary, serves as a critical bridge between Detroit residents and government by investigating complaints when city services fail. Current ombudsman Bruce Simpson's appointment ends October 5, with candidates ranging from government insiders like Deputy Ombudsman Gail Barnard to community leaders like State Board of Education member Tiffany Tilley and former state lawmaker Sherry Gay-Dagnogo. This influential appointment will determine how resident complaints about city services are handled for the next decade, making it a crucial decision for government accountability and resident trust.

Round Here, a new platform launched in August by Detroit native Matthew Burnett, aims to consolidate entrepreneurial resources for Michigan's business community into a single accessible space. The platform addresses longstanding challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly Black business owners, including limited access to funding, mentorship, and professional services. Round Here offers live workshops, searchable networks of investors and accelerators, a job board, connections to vetted freelancers, and AI-powered personalized recommendations to help founders navigate their growth journey. With early partnerships with prominent innovation hubs like TechTown and Newlab, the platform hopes to democratize entrepreneurial support across Michigan before potentially expanding nationwide.

of Detroit's Industry Standards Board Recommendations for Arena Workers Detroit's first Industry Standards Board has released recommendations aimed at improving working conditions for arena employees in the city. The recommendations focus on enhancing access to childcare, subsidizing public transit, developing better job training pathways, and improving security measures for workers who face harassment. According to a commissioned report, while Detroit's stadiums financially benefit the city, nearly one-third of arena workers live below the poverty line and two-thirds are living paycheck to paycheck. The board notes that state law prevents Detroit from setting local wage standards, which limits the city's ability to ensure workers benefit from tax incentives given to arena owners.

Wayne County, Michigan has received a significant credit rating upgrade from Moody's Ratings, moving from A1 to Aa3 for both its issuer rating and general obligation bonds. This improvement reflects the county's strong financial recovery over the past decade, transforming from near-bankruptcy to substantial financial stability. Key factors contributing to the upgrade include increased reserve funds (growing from 42% to 72% since 2021), reduced long-term liabilities, disciplined budgeting practices, and regional economic growth. County Executive Warren C. Evans highlighted this achievement as evidence of responsible fiscal management and the county's positioning for long-term success.

A controversy has erupted in the Detroit mayoral race between Pastor Solomon Kinloch and city council president Mary Sheffield over alleged ethics violations. Kinloch accused Sheffield of breaking city ethics rules by accepting Jeezy concert tickets from Comerica Bank, despite Detroit's charter prohibiting elected officials from accepting gifts. Sheffield defended her actions, stating she obtained the tickets for community members and that Comerica Bank isn't currently doing business with the city, while Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet declared no ethics violation occurred. The dispute has intensified the campaign dynamics, with Kinloch's team adopting a more aggressive approach despite previously promising not to run a negative campaign.

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield for mayor of Detroit, becoming the second former mayoral opponent to back her candidacy. Durhal made the announcement at In Harmony Cafe on Detroit's west side, emphasizing Sheffield's 12 years of experience and leadership in city government. He stressed that Detroit needs experienced leadership rather than a "rookie" in the city's top position, highlighting Sheffield's work on ordinances and neighborhood development. Sheffield, who will face Rev. Solomon Kinloch in the November 4 general election, expressed honor at receiving Durhal's endorsement and their shared commitment to neighborhood improvement.

Kenneth Kelly, CEO of Detroit-based First Independence Bank and chair-elect of the American Bankers Association, recently testified before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on modernizing deposit insurance. Representing the ABA, Kelly presented ten recommendations from a task force he chaired that aims to update the system created in 1933 and tested by recent bank failures like Silicon Valley Bank in 2023. The proposals focus on making deposit insurance more transparent, flexible during crises, and equitable across different-sized institutions, while maintaining its role as a stabilizing force in the U.S. financial system. Kelly emphasized that the current system, which guarantees deposits up to $250,000 and is funded through bank assessments rather than taxpayer money, needs improvements to reflect modern banking realities and prevent panic from spreading rapidly in today's digital environment.

The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed a bill requiring photos and signatures on Bridge Cards used for food and cash assistance programs, with Republicans supporting the measure as an anti-fraud initiative and Democrats opposing it. The legislation's sponsor, Representative Jason Woolford, argued it would protect taxpayer funds in Michigan's multi-billion-dollar assistance programs, citing the state's 8% SNAP benefits overpayment rate reported by the USDA. However, Democrats countered that implementing these requirements would cost millions while producing negligible savings according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, pointing to West Virginia's $10 million expenditure for a similar program with little evidence of fraud reduction. The bill now moves to the Democrat-controlled Michigan Senate, where it faces significant opposition.

Jeezy concluded his 20th anniversary tour for "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" with an 80-minute performance at Detroit's Fox Theatre, featuring a full band and the 25-piece Color of Noize Orchestra. The sold-out event had a formal atmosphere with fans dressed in tuxedos and gowns as Jeezy performed 12 songs from his landmark album before moving to other crowd favorites. At 48, Jeezy used this special Detroit performance, which was streamed live worldwide, to bridge his past and present while announcing upcoming projects including a DJ Drama mixtape and plans for a Las Vegas residency.

Detroit City Council Pro Tem James Tate has announced his intention to seek the Council presidency starting in 2026, running unopposed for reelection this November. As the longest-serving council member with 15 years of experience, Tate aims to build consensus and strengthen teamwork among the nine-member body, emphasizing the need for the council to work collectively rather than individually. The next council will have at least two new members as President Mary Sheffield and Council Member Fred Durhal III vacated their seats to run for mayor, potentially bringing significant changes to the body's composition. Tate plans to improve public understanding of the council's decision-making process and enhance resident participation in civic matters.

Esther Haugabook, a housing advocate who placed third in Detroit's municipal primary, has launched a write-in campaign for the District 5 city council seat. Citing frustrations with the lack of meaningful options on the ballot, Haugabook brings over 30 years of experience in community planning and development to her campaign. She will compete against primary winners Renata Miller, who received 23.17% of the vote and has secured several endorsements, and Willie Burton, who received 19.42% of the vote. District 5 is one of Detroit's most active council districts, containing downtown and Midtown areas, and is currently represented by Council President Mary Sheffield who is not endorsing any candidate.

The Michigan Senate is considering legislation to create a statewide "Silver Alert" system that would notify the public when vulnerable adults, particularly seniors with conditions like dementia, go missing. Sponsored by Senator Mallory McMorrow, the bill would implement emergency notifications similar to Amber Alerts for children, utilizing existing technology infrastructure to help locate missing seniors quickly. Advocates emphasize the urgency of the system, noting that nearly 60 percent of older adults with dementia will wander at some point, creating potentially life-threatening situations where rapid response is critical. The proposed system would cost relatively little to implement—approximately $20,000 annually—while the Michigan House has already passed a similar bill with strong bipartisan support, suggesting momentum for this public safety measure.

The Michigan Department of State has expanded its ID and voter registration program for returning citizens to Wayne County, partnering with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. This initiative, which has helped 20,000 formerly incarcerated individuals obtain state IDs or driver's licenses since 2020, brings mobile office vans to jails and prisons to process documents. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Sheriff Raphael Washington emphasized that Michigan citizens have the right to vote after exiting prison, addressing misconceptions about voting eligibility among those with criminal histories. The program aims to increase civic participation, especially in historically marginalized communities where voter turnout remains low.

Former Michigan State Senator Adam Hollier announced he's dropping out of the 13th Congressional District race to instead run for Michigan Secretary of State, as revealed in an interview on the Eastside Community Network's Black Detroit Democracy Podcast. Hollier emphasized his goal of protecting voter rights and expanding Michigan's elections, citing his military background and legislative experience as qualifications that distinguish him from other candidates. He discussed his stance on several contentious issues, including declining to call Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide and not committing to refuse corporate PAC money. Hollier previously received over $4 million from AIPAC's United Democracy Project during his 2022 Congressional run against Rep. Shri Thanedar.

Former Michigan State Senator Adam Hollier has announced his candidacy for Michigan Secretary of State, joining Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie in the race to succeed term-limited Jocelyn Benson. Hollier, who withdrew from the congressional race in Michigan's 13th District, emphasized his background as a U.S. Army Paratrooper and his experience in the State Senate as qualifications for the position. He promised to protect voting rights, combat election interference, and make voting more accessible if elected. Hollier has secured endorsements from several local officials including Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Detroit councilman Fred Durhal III.

Saunteel Jenkins, who finished third in Detroit's 2025 mayoral primary, has officially endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield for the November general election. Jenkins cited alignment on key issues including reducing violence, keeping children safe, and strengthening Detroit schools as reasons for her support. The endorsement adds significant momentum to Sheffield's campaign as she seeks to become the first woman and first Black woman elected mayor in Detroit's 325-year history. Sheffield has also secured the endorsement of outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan, further strengthening her position as she builds a coalition of support heading into the general election less than two months away.