Thompson: Detroit mayor’s race remains unpredictable

With no clear frontrunner and no fundraising advantage demonstrated by any of the candidates currently in the race, the battle for the next Detroit mayor is tough to forecast.

Mayor Mike Duggan’s decision not to seek reelection and to instead run for governor has left the seat wide open for anyone who has the political skills, fundraising ability and a powerful, convincing message to capture the votes of Detroiters.

So far, the candidates in the race have yet to demonstrate that.

First-term Detroit City Council member Fred Durhal III became the latest entry into what is expected to be a chaotic race. Durhal joins council President Mary Sheffield, former council member Saunteel Jenkins and attorney Todd Perkins.

But Durhal being in the mix doesn’t shake up the race or add significantly to the campaign. He has been an elected official for a significant part of his life, including as a lawmaker in Lansing. Aside from that there is nothing to distinguish him from the other existing candidates.

His announcement last week wasn’t compelling. Like a typical politician, he said all of the right things about Detroit needing to be a world-class city and what that requires. But it was typical political platitudes. There was nothing game changing in the speech.

What a candidate determined to win ought to do is draw the battle lines, explain where the current administration is lacking and discuss in detail what Detroiters need from their elected officials. The Duggan administration has improved parts of the city, but its most vulnerable population has basically been a spectator to the economic recovery.

The divide between overwhelming support for downtown at the expense of the rest of the neighborhoods remains a thorny issue.

Businessman Dennis Archer Jr. has been mentioned lately as a potential candidate. As the son of former mayor Dennis Archer and someone who could net corporate support, he would be a high-profile candidate if he joins the race. But Archer would have a lot of explaining to do on the campaign trail.

That includes his views on the issues of poverty and economic inequality, particularly since he has not taken many public positions on controversial issues that have shaped the Duggan era, such as the $600 million over taxation of homeowners. He would face perhaps more scrutiny as a well-connected entrepreneur who is viewed favorably by some business leaders.

Another issue that is being overlooked is how the policies of President Donald Trump could impact Detroit. Candidates cannot avoid Trump. They have to show Detroiters that they are willing to take on the president and protect their communities from some of the adverse policies of the administration.

 X (formerly Twitter): @BankoleDetNews

bankole@bankolethompson.com

Bankole Thompson’s columns appear on Mondays and Thursdays in The Detroit News.