Businessman Jonathan Barlow announced his candidacy for Detroit mayor on Wednesday at the Detroit People’s Food Co-op, touting himself as a relatable and forward-thinking candidate. 

In front of about 100 people, Barlow formally kicked off his campaign by describing himself as an innovator and problem-solver who understands what steps Detroit needs to take to compete for international business investment. Barlow said he’s a venture capitalist who helps connect people who have ideas with people who can fund them. 

“While others chased popularity, I spent the last 15 years behind the scenes helping founders, leaders and everyday Detroiters win,” he said. 

Barlow gave BridgeDetroit a copy of his 11-page policy plan for the city. Some key pieces include tax incentives for businesses that hire residents and locate in the city, a $500 million public-private business growth fund, autonomous shuttles, training programs for advanced manufacturing and technology jobs, rent stabilization programs, homeless resources and the establishment of community land trusts.

He also wants to focus on “new Detroiters” who are moving to the city or grew up here, left and are coming back after finding success elsewhere. 

“I have the most in-depth understanding of all Detroiters in the region,” Barlow said. “In order to win this race, you have to speak to everybody.”

Barlow said Wednesday that he wanted to be among the last candidates to launch a mayoral campaign so he was sure his agenda would be unique among the growing field. Former Police Chief James Craig also held a campaign kickoff Wednesday night at the riverfront Roostertail event venue. 

There are 10 candidates who formed campaign committees and 32 who requested nominating petitions to make the August primary ballot. Besides Barlow and Craig, other names include:

• Businessman Arnold Boyd
• City Council Member Fred Durhal III
• Businessman Joel Haashiim
• Former nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins
• Triumph Church Rev. Solomon Kinloch
• Community activist Rogelio Landin
• Attorney Todd Perkins
• City Council President Mary Sheffield

The official slate of candidates will be determined after the April 22 filing deadline. 

Related:

• Mayoral candidate James Craig says Trump alliance will benefit Detroit
• Sheffield lays out vision for Detroit’s next chapter
• City Councilman Fred Durhal officially launches mayoral campaign 
• Why Joel Haashiim is running for Detroit mayor in 2025
• Pastor Solomon Kinloch announces 2025 bid for Detroit mayor

In a March interview with BridgeDetroit, Barlow described himself as a political operative who is stepping into public view after working behind the scenes for years. He was a communications administrator with the Oakland County Democratic Party and has advised candidates like former state Treasurer Andy Dillon and former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. 

Barlow has only pursued political office once, joining a massive crop of candidates who ran for City Council seats in 2009. It was the last election where all nine council members were selected at-large instead of the current district system. Barlow was among more than 160 candidates and collected 3,660 votes, which put him toward the middle of the pack. 

Barlow is CEO of The WKND Company, a destination events planning business. He was a youth pastor at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church and coaches basketball at Renaissance High School.

Barlow told the crowd Wednesday evening that he also knows firsthand what it’s like “when the systems that are supposed to protect us leave us exposed.” He’s also aiming to make Detroit the most business friendly city in the Midwest. 

“We have a hodgepodge of problems and if you look at the history from the 60s to now, it’s 50 years of setbacks,” Barlow said in a March interview. “We’ve been treading water, attempting to compete. It’s just now time that we’re able to consider being able to compete.”