Detroit mayoral election: Meet the 9 candidates running

Danetta Simpson is from Detroit, Michigan. She is a retired cosmetologist and a mother of four. 

Duggan's cash haul overwhelms foes seeking to challenge Detroit ...

Danetta is a retired cosmetologist and former salon owner. 

Danetta’s campaign for Detroit mayor is her second run for that office. She previously ran for state representative, Detroit’s school board, and City Council but did not win.

As of June 2, 2025, Danetta Simpson did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Supports ending water shutoffs for residents, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building affordable housing.

Supports ending water shutoffs for residents, improving neighborhoods, and building affordable housing.

- Supports ending water shutoffs for residents, improving neighborhoods, and building affordable housing.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to implement "no-gun laws" in certain areas with large crowds and alcohol and tobacco use.

- Plans to implement "no-gun laws" in certain areas with large crowds and alcohol and tobacco use.

Public Safety

Healthcare

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, ensuring all residents have access to affordable water, and addressing high water shutoff rates.

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, ensuring affordable water, and addressing high water shutoff rates.

- Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, ensuring affordable water, and addressing high water shutoff rates.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Believes the mayor should have input in the school system.

- Believes the mayor should have input in the school system.

Education

Has a felony charge for assault with intent to murder from 1996. Maintains that she was wrongfully convicted and that a witness lied in her case.

- Has a felony charge for assault with intent to murder from 1996. Maintains that she was wrongfully convicted and that a witness lied in her case.

Ethics & Conduct

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Danetta Simpson

Danetta’s campaign for Detroit Mayor is her second run for that office. She previously ran for state representative, Detroit’s school board, and City Council but did not win.

As of June 3, 2025, Danetta Simpson did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to fix Detroit's water system by investing in infrastructure improvements, ensuring affordable water access, and addressing high rates of water shutoffs.

Plans to fix Detroit's water system and address ongoing issues with the water supply.

Danetta Simpson’s campaign for Detroit Mayor is her second run for that office. She previously ran for state representative, Detroit’s school board, and City Council but did not win.

Danetta Simpson is from Detroit, Michigan. She is a retired cosmetologist and a mother of four. She grew up and continues to reside on Detroit’s eastside with her four children. She was wrongfully convicted of a crime she did not commit and contends that a witness lied in her case. Information on her educational background and religious affiliation is not available at this time.

Danetta is a retired cosmetologist and former salon owner. She spent more than two decades running her own hair salon in Detroit, where she provided hair styling, beauty treatments and managed day-to-day operations. Earlier in her career, she worked directly with clients to deliver personalized cosmetology services and build customer relationships.

Danetta Simpson’s campaign for Detroit Mayor is her second run for that office. She previously ran for state representative, Detroit’s school board and City Council but did not secure election.

Buket Urgen

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III files run for mayor

Why Fred Durhal wants to be Detroit's next mayor

Detroit mayor candidate Fred Durhal on key policies - Axios Detroit

Fred Durhal is from Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in the Russell Woods neighborhood. He is the son of former state Representative Fred Durhal Jr. He and his wife live with their two children in the Nardin Park neighborhood. 

Before taking public office, Fred worked in retail at Kmart, performed customer service roles, worked as a mental health peer counselor for teenagers, and worked in consulting.

Detroit Councilman Fred Durhal launches mayoral bid

City Council District 7 | City of Detroit

Fred is currently a Detroit City Council member representing District 7. He is serving his first term. He previously served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2017. 

Supports tax incentives to promote job creation.

Supports increasing walkability to improve access to groceries and pharmacies, and to create an environment for small businesses.

Plans to expand commercial corridors to create walkable communities with developed spaces and retail near neighborhoods.

As a state representative, spearheaded efforts to secure investment in rehabilitating the former American Motors Corp. headquarters, leading to General Motors leasing the facility and creating almost 400 jobs in District 7.

Supported efforts to rehabilitate the former American Motors Corp. headquarters, creating almost 400 jobs in his district.

- Supports tax incentives to promote job creation.
- Supports increasing walkability to improve access to groceries and pharmacies, and to create an environment for small businesses.
- Plans to expand commercial corridors to create walkable communities with developed spaces and retail near neighborhoods.
- Supported efforts to rehabilitate the former American Motors Corp. headquarters, creating almost 400 jobs in his district.

Wants to expand commercial corridors in each district to make neighborhoods more dense, affordable, and walkable.

Wants to make neighborhoods more dense, affordable, and walkable.

Supports down-payment assistance programs for first-time homeowners in Detroit.

As a state representative, supported an additional $5 million in the budget to provide shelters for unhoused residents.

Supports funding shelters for unhoused residents.

- Wants to make neighborhoods more dense, affordable, and walkable.
- Supports down-payment assistance programs for first-time homeowners in Detroit.
- Supports funding shelters for unhoused residents.

Supports providing resources for officers, including pay raises for Detroit Police Department officers.

Believes making streets safer requires addressing mental health, providing resources to officers, and reducing police vacancies.

Believes in addressing underlying issues of crime, such as mental health, rather than relying solely on arrests.

Supports establishing an Office of Violence Prevention in Detroit to address social determinants of health that contribute to gun violence and crime.

As a state representative, Durhal "saved and delivered $8.5 million for the Goodwill Flip the Script program to derail the pipeline to prison for youth."

As a state representative, supported the Goodwill Flip the Script program, which aims to reduce the pipeline to prison for youth.

As a state representative, supported permanent funding for community violence intervention.

Supports permanent funding for community violence intervention.

Supports the Detroit Police Department’s (DPD) Shotspotter Program and License Plate Reader Funding.

Supports the Detroit Police Department’s (DPD) ShotSpotter Program and License Plate Reader Funding.

- Supports providing resources for officers, including pay raises for Detroit Police Department officers.
- Believes making streets safer requires addressing mental health, providing resources to officers, and reducing police vacancies.
- Believes in addressing underlying issues of crime, such as mental health, rather than relying solely on arrests.
- Supports establishing an Office of Violence Prevention in Detroit to address social determinants of health that contribute to gun violence and crime.
- As a state representative, supported the Goodwill Flip the Script program, which aims to reduce the pipeline to prison for youth.
- Supports permanent funding for community violence intervention.
- Supports the Detroit Police Department’s (DPD) ShotSpotter Program and License Plate Reader Funding.

Believes social determinants of health can lead to gun violence.

- Believes social determinants of health can lead to gun violence.

As a state representative, championed a childcare ordinance to expand affordable daycare options for families.

Supports expanding affordable daycare options for families.

As a city council member, Durhal helped create two recreation centers in District 7, including a $20-million center in partnership with the Detroit Pistons.

As a city council member, helped create two recreation centers in District 7, including a $20-million center in partnership with the Detroit Pistons.

As a state representative, delivered resources to rehabilitate and upgrade over 80% of all parks in the district.

As a state representative, secured $6 million to expand the office of disability affairs.

Supported expanding the office of disability affairs.

- Supports expanding affordable daycare options for families.
- As a city council member, helped create two recreation centers in District 7, including a $20-million center in partnership with the Detroit Pistons.
- Supports upgrading local parks.
- Supported expanding the office of disability affairs.

As of June 2, 2025, Fred Durhal’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports working with county-level governments to push regional transit plans forward.

Supports increasing the efficiency of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) by improving bus schedules, enhancing the rider experience, adding more buses, and increasing driver pay.

Supports increasing the efficiency of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) by improving bus schedules, upgrading the rider experience, adding more buses, and increasing driver pay.

Supports bringing high-speed rail to the region, with potential connections to the University of Michigan, airport, Pontiac, and Flint.

Supports expanding the M1 Rail beyond its current three-mile route.

Supports expanding the M1 Rail beyond its current route.

As a state representative, supported free bus rides for expectant mothers and mothers with newborns.

As a state representative, helped secure federal funding to replace lead service lines in District 7.

Helped secure federal funding to replace lead service lines in his district

- Supports working with county-level governments to push regional transit plans forward.
- Supports increasing the efficiency of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) by improving bus schedules, upgrading the rider experience, adding more buses, and increasing driver pay.
- Supports bringing high-speed rail to the region, with potential connections to the University of Michigan, airport, Pontiac, and Flint.
- Supports expanding the M1 Rail beyond its current route.
- As a state representative, supported free bus rides for expectant mothers and mothers with newborns.
- Helped secure federal funding to replace lead service lines in his district

Wants to enhance the futures of young Detroiters through partnerships with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to provide programming and better infrastructure.

Supports partnerships with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to provide programming and better infrastructure.

Supports the Detroit Promise program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for college and university students.

- Supports partnerships with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to provide programming and better infrastructure.
- Supports the Detroit Promise program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for college and university students.

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Fred Durhal

As of June 4, 2025, Fred Durhal’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Fred is from Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in the Russell Woods neighborhood on the city’s west side and now represents District 7 on Detroit’s west side as a member of the City Council. He is the oldest of six children and the son of former state Representative Fred Durhal Jr. He and his wife live with their two children in the Nardin Park neighborhood. As a self-described son of Detroit, he said he consulted his wife before launching his campaign to ensure the timing was right as a new father and has expressed a desire to bring a more familial feel back to city government.

Fred Durhal is a Detroit City Council member. He works on the council, where he is serving his first term representing District Seven. He chairs the budget, finance and audit standing committee and serves as vice chair of the planning and economic development committee. He also chairs the disability task force and supported a $6.6 million federal program to provide home improvements for residents with disabilities.

From 2015 to 2019, Fred served in the Michigan House of Representatives representing the 5th House District. He was elected to the House in 2015 and was appointed Assistant House Democratic Leader. During his first term, he served on the House Appropriations Committee as Minority Vice-Chair of the subcommittee on General Government. After his re-election in 2017, he became the ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee, overseeing the state’s $54 billion budget.

Early in his career, he worked in retail at Kmart, performed customer service roles, worked as a mental health peer counselor for teenagers, and worked in consulting.

Fred Durhal is currently a Detroit City Council member representing District Seven. He is serving his first term. He chairs the City Council’s budget, finance, and audit standing committee and serves as vice chair of the planning and economic development committee. He previously served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2017. In his second term, he was appointed Minority Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

Supports expanding the Downtown Development Authority to fund corridor growth.

Supports the creation of an Office of Violence Prevention in Detroit.

Believes "you are only as safe as you feel" and that people "shouldn't fear having to go to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription at night."

James Craig (police chief) - Wikipedia

LinkedIn

James Craig was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He has a doctoral degree in management and a master's degree in management and public administration from the University of Phoenix. He also has a bachelor's degree in business management from West Coast University. James has one son and one daughter.

Former police chief James Craig announces runs for Detroit mayor ...

James is a retired law enforcement official. He served as chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2013 to 2021. Before that, he led the Cincinnati Police Department from 2011 to 2013 and the Portland (Maine) Police Department from 2009 to 2011. 

James’s campaign for mayor of Detroit is his third run for public office. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified from the ballot. He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 before suspending his campaign. 

Wants to assist small neighborhood businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses to the city.

Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities for residents.

Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities.

Supports workforce development programs that offer job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.

Supports offering job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.

Supports collaborating with local businesses to create internship and job placement programs for young people.

Supports working with local businesses to create internship and job placement programs for young people.

Plans to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending.

- Wants to assist small neighborhood businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses to the city.
- Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities.
- Supports offering job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.
- Supports working with local businesses to create internship and job placement programs for young people.
- Plans to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending.

Said he would "double down" on neighborhood safety and prioritize community policing as mayor.

Believes in increasing resources for first responders, including training, equipment, and support.

Supports crime prevention initiatives that address root causes, including youth mentorship programs, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.

Supports crime prevention strategies such as youth mentorship programs, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.

Supports holding repeat offenders accountable while investing in programs that reduce recidivism.

- Supports arming teachers.
- Said he would "double down" on neighborhood safety and prioritize community policing as mayor.
- Believes in increasing resources for first responders, including training, equipment, and support.
- Supports crime prevention strategies such as youth mentorship programs, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.
- Supports holding repeat offenders accountable while investing in programs that reduce recidivism.

As of June 2, 2025, James Craig’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports implementing stronger anti-corruption measures and ensuring full accountability for city officials.

Supports "increasing transparency by making city budgets, contracts, and spending publicly accessible and easy to understand."

Supports "increasing transparency by making city budgets, contracts, and spending [available to the public] and easy to understand."

- Supports implementing stronger anti-corruption measures and ensuring full accountability for city officials.
- Supports "increasing transparency by making city budgets, contracts, and spending [available to the public] and easy to understand."

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads, public transit, and technology, to foster city growth.

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads, public transit, and technology.

- Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads, public transit, and technology.

Supports partnering with local schools, educators, and community organizations to enhance education quality and student outcomes.

Supports working with local schools, teachers, and community organizations to improve education quality and student performance.

Supports expanding vocational and technical training programs to prepare students for high-paying careers in skilled trades, technology, and other growing industries.

Supports better vocational and technical training programs to prepare students for high-paying jobs in skilled trades, technology, and other growing industries.

Supports strengthening after-school and mentorship programs to keep kids engaged and supported.

Supports strengthening after-school and mentorship programs.

- Supports working with local schools, teachers, and community organizations to improve education quality and student performance.
- Supports better vocational and technical training programs to prepare students for high-paying jobs in skilled trades, technology, and other growing industries.
- Supports strengthening after-school and mentorship programs.

James Craig

As of June 3, 2025, James Craig’s website did not contain information on this issue.

James was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He has a doctoral degree in management and a master's degree in management and public administration from the University of Phoenix. He also has a bachelor's degree in business management from West Coast University. James has one son and one daughter.

James Craig’s campaign for mayor of Detroit is his third run for public office. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified from the ballot. He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 before suspending his campaign. 

James was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Cass Technical High School and joined the Detroit Police Department in 1977. His father was a veteran of the U. S. Army and served as a reserve police officer during the 1967 Detroit riot, when James was in fifth grade. James has one son and one daughter and has been married four times to three different women. His son, OVO James Craig, is a hip-hop artist.

James Craig is a retired law enforcement official. He served as chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2013 to 2021. Before that, he led the Cincinnati Police Department from 2011 to 2013 and the Portland (Maine) Police Department from 2009 to 2011. Craig retired on June 1, 2021, after 44 years in law enforcement. During his final year as Detroit’s police chief, he also served as deputy mayor, helping support the city’s recovery from bankruptcy. His tenure in Detroit included a broad expansion of police surveillance technology through the installation of Project Green Light cameras in participating businesses.

James E. Craig’s campaign for mayor of Detroit is his third run for public office. A member of the Republican Party, he previously ran in the party’s primary for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified from the ballot due to false signatures and ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign. He then announced a run for the U.S. Senate in 2024 before suspending his campaign. In March 2025, he declared his candidacy for mayor of Detroit, seeking to succeed Mike Duggan, who is not seeking re-election.

- Wants to assist small neighborhood businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses to the city.
- Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities.
- Supports offering job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.

Criticized Democratic mayors in Chicago and Los Angeles while praising Mayor Mike Duggan's leadership.

As police chief, improved response times, homicide clearance rates, and opened new police stations.

Said "unapologetic" about his conservative stances, including past statements in support of arming teachers with guns and calling Black Lives Matter protesters Marxists.

Described kicking a former City Council member out of his office after being asked whether he was under investigation.

Joel Haashiim is from Detroit, Michigan. He has a diploma in building and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning from Ford Technical School, as well as commercial driver training from New Buffalo School. He lives with his nine children and eighteen grandchildren in Northwest Detroit. 

Joel is a wholesale distributor at his own distribution business.

Joel’s campaign for Detroit mayor is his first entry into politics. 

Supports creating a public bank in Detroit.

Supports promoting and supporting Black, Brown, and Female owned businesses.

Supports promoting and supporting Black, Brown, and woman-owned businesses.

Aims to build and improve business relations with Detroit corporate entities.

Aims to build and improve business relations with corporations in Detroit.

Supports sunsetting the Detroit Business Authority (DBA).

Supports ending the Detroit Business Authority (DBA).

Supports using tax abatement, tax capture, and tax increment finance policies to stimulate economic growth.

Supports using special tax programs, like lowering taxes or using future tax money.

Wants to reduce privatization of city work.

- Supports creating a public bank in Detroit.
- Supports promoting and supporting Black, Brown, and woman-owned businesses.
- Aims to build and improve business relations with corporations in Detroit.
- Supports ending the Detroit Business Authority (DBA).
- Supports using special tax programs, like lowering taxes or using future tax money.
- Wants to reduce privatization of city work.

Plans to discontinue the Detroit Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO).

Opposes the Detroit Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO), which is intended to allow neighborhood input on development projects, and proposes a "True Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) Policy" instead.

Wants to create more affordable housing options.

Believes in addressing the $600 million property tax over-assessment issue.

Believes in addressing a "$600M property tax over-assessment."

Believes in addressing the decline of Detroit's population through targeted housing and urban development initiatives.

Believes in addressing the decline of Detroit's population.

- Opposes the Detroit Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO), which is intended to allow neighborhood input on development projects, and proposes a "True Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) Policy" instead.
- Wants to create more affordable housing options.
- Believes in addressing a "$600M property tax over-assessment."
- Believes in addressing the decline of Detroit's population.

Believes in addressing crime and recidivism through prevention efforts.

- Believes in addressing crime and recidivism through prevention efforts.

Believes homelessness and mental health issues are interconnected.

- Believes homelessness and mental health issues are interconnected.

Wants to design and create a Detroit child care program.

- Wants to design and create a Detroit child care program.

As of June 2, 2025, Joel Haashiim’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports public transportation for all, including disabled individuals.

- Supports public transportation for all, including disabled individuals.

Plans to design and create a City of Detroit Career Academy with a focus on growth occupations.

Plans to create a comprehensive adult continuing education program.

Supports funding for Pre-K and K-12 education.

Advocates for better support of Pre-K and K-12 education.

Plans to provide annual municipal funding for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).

Plans to provide annual municipal funding for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) of $1.5 million to $2 million.

- Plans to design and create a City of Detroit Career Academy with a focus on growth occupations.
- Plans to create a comprehensive adult continuing education program.
- Advocates for better support of Pre-K and K-12 education.
- Plans to provide annual municipal funding for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) of $1.5 million to $2 million.

Joel Haashiim

- Supports creating a public bank in Detroit.
- Supports promoting and supporting Black, Brown, and woman-owned businesses.
- Aims to build and improve business relations with corporations in Detroit.
- Supports ending the Detroit Business Authority (DBA).
- Supports using special tax programs, like lowering taxes or using future tax money, to help businesses grow and bring more jobs and development to the area.

- Opposes the Detroit Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO) and proposes a "True Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) Policy."
- Wants to create more affordable housing options.

As of June 3, 2025, Joel Haashiim’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Joel is from Detroit, Michigan. He has a diploma in building and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning from Ford Technical School, as well as commercial driver training at New Buffalo School. He lives with his nine children and eighteen grandchildren in Northwest Detroit. I

Joel Haashiim is a wholesale distributor at his own distribution business.

Joel Haashiim’s campaign for Detroit Mayor is his first entry into politics. 

Joel is from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Vaughn’s Book Store on Dexter Street in Detroit and later pursued vocational training, including a diploma in building and heating, ventilation and air conditioning from Ford Technical School, as well as commercial driver training at New Buffalo School. He lives with his nine children and eighteen grandchildren in Northwest Detroit. Information on his church attendance is not available at this time.

Joel Haashiim is a wholesale distributor. He works at his own distribution business, where he has been since selling his retail stores. At 20 years old, he opened up his first store called BROTHERS PARTY STORE on 7mile and Hartwell. He also opened two more stores shortly afterwards. After selling those stores, he became a wholesaler and distributor, selling products to chain stores like Kmart, Spartan, and Wynn Dixie across the U.S. and internationally. He has also led 15 international trade delegations to countries such as Japan, Qatar, Dubai, the Bahamas, Ghana, China, and Liberia to promote trade and commerce between U.S. and foreign companies.

Joel Haashiim’s campaign for Detroit Mayor is his first entry into politics. Joel Haashiim is running for Detroit mayor as a critic of the status quo.

Joel Haashiim is from Detroit, Michigan. He attended college, where he learned several trades and traveled the world, including studies in building and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning at Ford Tech, training at Hudson Construction Company, and obtaining a commercial driver’s license from New Buffalo School. Before running for office, he was a businessman in Northwest Detroit who ran a party store and became a wholesaler. He lives in Northwest Detroit and is the father of nine children and the grandfather of eighteen. He attends Greater Grace Church.

- A mayor’s job can be different in each city, but they usually make sure city laws are followed, help create and manage the city’s budget, appoint people to boards and committees, and oversee city services like police, fire departments, parks, and public transportation.
- The mayor works with the city council and sometimes helps make decisions by voting.
- They may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. 
- They are elected to a two- or four-year term, depending on the city.

The highest elected official at the city level.