Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III launches mayoral candidate committee

(This story was updated to correct a misspelling)

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III launched his candidate committee to run for mayor in 2025.

The District 7 councilman on Monday formed the statement of organization with the Michigan Bureau of Elections for his committee "Fred Durhal for Every Detroiter" to "build public support behind a potential candidacy," saying he has been "honored to serve" Detroit as an elected official for nearly a decade. Durhal in 2014 was elected as a state representative before campaigning for his seat on City Council, which sat vacant after former Councilmember Gabe Leland resigned after pleading guilty to misconduct in office.

During Durhal's first term in the Michigan Legislature, he was appointed the assistant Democratic leader of the House. He was reelected in 2016 and served as the ranking Democrat on the appropriations committee, where he helped manage the state's $56 billion budget, according to a news release.

"I worked tirelessly in Lansing to bring resources home to the city that I know and love. I fought for good jobs, safe streets and expanded opportunities so every hardworking Detroit family gets a fair shake at a good quality of life. Detroit has momentum on our side, and I’m excited to do my part to keep that positivity going, bring people together and build on our amazing partnerships in Detroit and across Michigan," Durhal said in a statement.

Other candidates who have filed committees including City Council President Mary Sheffield, former Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins and ex-businessman Joel Haashiim. Mayor Mike Duggan, though rumored to seek a gubernatorial run, has not publicly declared whether he will seek reelection.

Candidates file a statement of organization to launch their committee, which allows them to raise money for their potential campaign, and then an affidavit of identity to be on the ballot.

Durhal chairs the City Council's budget, finance, and audit standing committee and serves as vice chair of the planning and economic development committee. Durhal also chairs the disability task force and backed a $6.6 million federally funded program providing home improvements to residents with disabilities.

The councilman was involved in efforts to secure $66 million to rehab the former American Motors Corp. headquarters; $21.5 million in the Strategic Neighborhood Fund to invest in the Dexter Avenue area for new streetscapes; $40 million in funding for affordable housing projects in his district; establishing recreation centers in the district; upgrading the majority of parks in his district; and growing small businesses, according to a news release.

Durhal also touted dozens of his previous endeavors in Lansing, including securing funding to keep the Dexter Elmhurst Community Center open, delivering revenue sharing for Detroit to fund police, fire, EMS and city services and more.

"Being Mayor of the City of Detroit would give me the opportunity to expand our vision for Detroit’s resurgence. What I want for my wife and two children, I want for every Detroiter. Detroit is only better when every Detroiter has the opportunity to do better," Durhal said in a statement.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: [email protected]. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III files run for mayor