Ann Arbor Mayoral Race

Don’t expect any major changes in Ann Arbor city government after yesterday’s election. A few names may be changing but most of the policies are expected to remain the same.

In just three weeks voters head to the polls to decide a variety of races.  In Ann Arbor this includes voting on the first new mayor in 14 years.  It's a low key race between a political newcomer and a three term city council member that won the heavily contested Democratic Primary.

Christopher Taylor will likely be Ann Arbor's next mayor. The 3rd Ward City Councilman won a four way Democratic Primary against three of his council colleagues Tuesday. Taylor received nearly 48 percent of the vote in claiming victory.

Despite losing his bid to become Ann Arbor's next Mayor, Stephen Kunselman will continue to represent the 3rd Ward on City Council and plans to continue pushing for an increased focus on improved basic services. 

 

Low voter turnout expected in Washtenaw County   

Ann Arbor voters take a big step towards deciding the city's next mayor Tuesday with the Democratic Primary.  Downtown is the heart of the city, but what's the vision for its future?  And what role should the Downtown Development Authority play?  

Next week Ann Arbor voters take a big step towards deciding the city's next mayor with the Democratic Primary. 

Downtown is the heart of the city, but what's the vision for its future?  And what role should the Downtown Development Authority play? 

Ann Arbor's Democratic Mayoral Primary is now just over a week away. The 4 city council members running for the post continue to walk neighborhoods looking for votes.  One of the key's to the election may turn out to be what residents want from the city in these neighborhoods.

When it comes to local government what's happening in your neighborhood often plays the biggest role in who gets your vote.  With Ann Arbor's Democratic Mayoral primary less than two weeks away, here's what some residents want.

Ann Arbor's Democratic mayoral primary is rapidly approaching on August 5th. Since incumbent Mayor John Hieftje isn't seeking re-election it offers the community a chance to chart a new course in a wide variety of areas.  

From attracting and retaining businesses to new construction projects, economic development is an important issue in every community.  Ann Arbor voters head to the polls August 5th and economic development will be among the issues voters consider when casting their ballot for one of the four Mayoral candidates. 

Ann Arbor homeless advocates hope the large turnout at a mayoral forum on the issue will show it's a priority to voters.  If nothing else all four City Council members appearing on the democratic ballot for mayor pledged to commit financial and political capital to ending homelessness in the city by 2018.

For the first time in 14-years, Ann Arbor will soon have a new Mayor.   Whom voters elect will help determine the direction of the city's spending priorities.

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje thinks investments made during his tenure are already paying results and will continue to do so.  The issue of spending priorities however is one voters will be looking at as the city chooses a new mayor for the first time in 14 years.  

Hieftje points to the underground parking structure as helping grow the local economy.  That's because he doesn't think the city's growing tech sector would have been possible without additional parking downtown.  He says these jobs have helped keep the area more active, boosting restuarants and other businesses.

Ypsilanti Mayoral candidate Amanda Edmonds believes Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and neighboring communities will succeed or fail together.  She made these remarks Thursday at the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber's unique mayoral forum that brought together candidates for the job in both cities.  

How will Ann Arbor's next mayor take on the challenges around the city's always changing downtown?  That will be among the primary topics discussed Wednesday night at a mayoral debate hosted by Literati Bookstore.  

Primary elections are less than two months away so candidates are getting busy knocking on doors and sharing their vision.  Ann Arbor voters also have several chances to see all four Democrats running for Mayor in the coming weeks.  

The 4 Ann Arbor City Council members seeking Mayor John Hieftje's job will participate in a forum in his Ford School of Public Policy class Wednesday.  The forum set to begin at 1 in the afternoon in Weill Hall will be open to the public.   Hieftje says he doesn't know exactly what the students will be asking Sabra Briere, Sally Hart Petersen, Stephen Kunselman, and Christopher Taylor.