Today in the notebook
- Everyone interested in running for office
Welcome back. I’m still Malachi Barrett.
A key election deadline is only a month away.
Candidates for Detroit offices must turn in nominating petitions to the Department of Elections by April 22. Signatures gathered from Detroit residents represent a minimum level of community support. The requirement can weed out frivolous candidates and is an early test of a campaign’s competency.
Mayoral candidates need 500 signatures. Candidates for City Council district seats and the Board of Police Commissioners need 300 signatures.
I was talking to Deputy City Clerk Andre Gilbert about the growing lineup of 10 mayoral candidates. Gilbert said that was nothing, twice as many asked for petitions. There are 32 potential candidates as of March 14.
The Department of Elections sent me a full list of people who requested petitions to run for various offices. It’s labeled “unofficial candidates.” They won’t be official candidates until after the April filing deadline.
I still consider the list newsworthy. It suggests the competitiveness of important races, reveals political players and confirms a candidate’s eligibility to run for office as a Detroit resident.
Our reporting so far focused attention on candidates who formed campaign committees that are legally required to start fundraising. But it often takes a few days for that paperwork to get uploaded on the Wayne County website.
We learned former Police Chief James Craig was readying a run for mayor because he was spotted picking up nominating petitions from the city’s New Center election headquarters. His candidate committee was posted online the next day.
It’s important to note that the list includes some caveats. State Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, is on it, despite dropping out of the race in February.
Attorney Shakira Hawkins isn’t running for mayor but did request petitions. She’s been getting calls after I tweeted the list.
As she walked out of the Wayne County courthouse Friday, Hawkins said there’s too many well-known and well-funded candidates already running. Still, she’s considering pursuing one of two at-large City Council seats.
I bet you still want to know who’s on the list, right? Keep reading to find out.
Millennial slate wanted
Cidney Calloway is organizing millennial Detroiters to hold forums and select a slate of candidates who align with the group’s values.
Calloway, a co-chair of the reparations task force and daughter of City Council member Angela Whitfield-Calloway, said The New Electorate is seeking 313 politically astute peers to raise awareness of the 2025 elections.
An initial survey was released in March to identify Detroiters who are interested in participating as voting members of the group. Responses will be used to shape future conversations. Calloway said she’s hoping to host candidate forums this year.
Unofficial mayoral candidates
There’s 32 people who requested nominating petitions to run for mayor. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded.
- Jonathan Barlow
- Articia Bomer
- Angelo Brown
- Johnny James Cain
- Veremy Conn
- James Craig
- Frances Culver
- Carol Dargin
- Tiffany Dean
- Fred Durhal III
- Dean Evans
- Wonda Fuller
- Edmund Gilliam
- John Golec
- Joel Haashiim
- Shakira Hawkins
- Tyrone Huffman
- Saunteel Jenkins
- Joyce Jennings-Fells
- Andrea Johnson
- Blaine Johnson
- Rogelio Landin
- LaMar Lemmons
- Lakeita Norwood-Brown
- Donna Pitts
- Todd Russell Perkins
- Mary Sheffield
- Danetta Simpson
- Joe Tate
- Ramiro Urista
- Ronald Walker
- GJermaine Williams II
Arnold Boyd filed a campaign committee but did not request petitions as of March 14.
Sheffield was the only candidate to have her petitions turned in and certified so far.
Unofficial City Council at-large candidates
Twenty-four people who pulled petitions to run for the City Council’s two at-large seats. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded. Incumbents are underlined.
- Levan Adams
- Janee Ayers
- James Chandler
- Alexander Cheaton
- Victoria Collier
- William Davis
- Steven Dodson
- Theodore Dorsette III
- Ronald Foster II
- James Harris
- Shakira Hawkins
- Gary Hunter
- Ramon Jackson
- LaMar Lemmons
- Steven Lett
- Jamaal Muhammed
- Constance Stewart
- Rachel Taylor
- Anthony Walker
- Ronald Walker
- Patricia Washington
- Mary Waters
- Cyrus Wheeler
- Coleman Young II
Unofficial City Council District 1 candidates
Two people pulled petitions to run for City Council in District 1. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded. Incumbents are underlined.
- Valerie Parker
- James Tate
Unofficial City Council District 2 candidates
Four people pulled petitions to run for City Council in District 1. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded. Incumbents are underlined.
- Levan Adams
- Roy McCalister Jr.
- Helena Scott
- Angela Whitfield-Calloway
Unofficial City Council District 3 candidates
Five people pulled petitions to run for City Council in District 3. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded. Incumbents are underlined.
- Cranstana Anderson
- Scott Benson
- Valeria Berry
- Odell Rowan Jr.
- Dorian Sykes
Unofficial City Council District 4 candidates
- Incumbent City Council Member Latisha Johnson received petitions to run for re-election. Vera Cunningham and LaMar Lemmons are also unofficial candidates.
Unofficial City Council District 5 candidates
Thirteen people pulled petitions to run for City Council in District 5. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded.
This race does not have an incumbent since Sheffield, who currently holds the seat, running for mayor instead of seeking another council term.
- Dirra Castelow
- Whitney Clarke
- Victoria Collier
- Bonzetta Ferrell
- Michael Hartt
- Brandi Hollinshed
- DeQuincy Hyatt
- Tatjana Jackson
- Theodore Jones
- Renata Miller
- Michael Richard
- Boratha Tan
- Chantel Watkins
Kevin Jones and Michael Clemmon formed campaign committees but were not included on the clerk’s list as of March 7.
Unofficial City Council District 6 candidates
Three people pulled petitions to run against incumbent City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who is seeking re-election. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded.
- State Rep. Tyrone Carter
- Anita Martin
- Jacqueline Sproles
Unofficial City Council District 7 candidates
Seven people pulled petitions to run for City Council in District 7. Candidates who formed campaign committees are bolded.
This race does not have an incumbent since Durhal, who currently holds the seat, is running for mayor instead of seeking another council term.
- Dustin Campbell
- Robert Dunlap
- Bobbi Johnson
- Denzel McCampbell
- Regina Ross
- Clinton Topp
- Karen Whitsett
Unofficial City Clerk candidates
Incumbent City Clerk Janice Winfrey is running for reelection and her petitions were certified. Articia Bomer also requested petitions.
Unofficial Board of Police Commissioners candidates
Four candidates pulled petitions for District 2:
- Linda Bernard
- Eric Blount
- James Knox
- Lavish Williams
William Morrisette III was the only candidate to pull petitions for District 3 as of March 7.
Two candidates pulled petitions for District 4: Scott Boman and George Goff.
Ortagus Jackson was the only candidate to pull petitions for District 5.
Three candidates pulled petitions for District 6: Garrett Burton, Joshua Medina and Jacqueline Sproles.
Two candidates pulled petitions for District 7: Victoria Camille and Robert Olive.
Unofficial Community Advisory Council candidates
- Rose Jones picked up positions to run in District 4 while Ernest Johnson picked up petitions to run in District 5.
Stephan Philopt should be with in this election due to his experience within working the black males over ten years, Christian man, activist all his life. Sadly I spoke person “Kind” organization. Check him out. A member at Triumph Church.