Derek is the chief of staff for the Michigan AFL-CIO. He works at the Michigan AFL-CIO, where he oversees the federation’s operations and serves as secretary-treasurer for its three subsidiary organizations, including the Workforce Development Institute. He previously worked as the district administrator for Congressman John D. Dingell, as a legislative aide in the Michigan State Senate and the Michigan State House of Representatives, and in local government for the City of Jackson, serving six years as a city councilman, four years as vice mayor and as mayor from 2017 through 2021.

Derek J. Dobies works at the Michigan AFL-CIO. He previously worked as the district administrator for Congressman John D. Dingell and as a legislative aide in the Michigan State Senate and the Michigan State House of Representatives.

Derek is the former mayor of the City of Jackson, serving from 2017 through 2021. Prior to this, he served six years as a City Councilman and four years as the city’s Vice Mayor.

2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

2026 Michigan Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

Plans to address poverty and promote equity by implementing a responsible contractor policy and a living wage ordinance.

- Plans to address poverty and promote equity by implementing a responsible contractor policy and a living wage ordinance.

Economy

As of June 9, 2026, Derek J. Dobies’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports regular review and reform of police use of force policies with community input.

Supports investing in police programming to reduce gun violence.

Advocates for investing in police programming to reduce gun violence.

- Supports regular review and reform of police use of force policies with community input.
- Advocates for investing in police programming to reduce gun violence.

Public Safety

Healthcare

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports the Equity Policy, which aims to create an inclusive school culture by ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for students from historically underserved communities.

Supports allocating $10 million for districts to create youth violence prevention strategies focused on mentorship and engagement.

Advocates for allocating $10 million for districts to create youth violence prevention strategies focused on mentorship and engagement.

- Supports the Equity Policy, which aims to create an inclusive school culture by ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for students from historically underserved communities.
- Advocates for allocating $10 million for districts to create youth violence prevention strategies focused on mentorship and engagement.

Education

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Derek J. Dobies

Proposed creating a community police oversight commission to advise on community relations, policies, training, and hiring in the police department.

As mayor, organized a Gun Violence Task Force to study potential policies and programs to address gun violence.

As mayor, implemented a tobacco ban in public parks.

As a city council member, authored legislation to create an Environmental Commission and tasked them with spearheading the city’s first Climate Action Plan.

Announced plans to introduce an ordinance requiring new developments in Jackson to prepare for adoption of electric vehicles by making some sites EV capable or EV ready, and installing charging stations at others.

Supports programs that provide pathways to stable careers and financial stability through trade education.

Supports reviewing and reforming police use of force policies.

Proposed creating a community police oversight commission to advise on community relations, policies, training, and hiring, with advisory responsibilities on the budget and misconduct regulations.

Supports increased transparency between the Jackson Police Department and the community.

Supports the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, which aims to provide housing stability for individuals with prior arrests or convictions.

As mayor, implemented a tobacco ban in city parks.

Supports installing electric vehicle charging stations in new developments.

Plans to introduce an ordinance requiring new developments to prepare for adoption of electric vehicles by making some sites EV capable or EV ready, and installing charging stations at others.

Supports the passage of the Equity Policy for Jackson Public Schools to promote inclusivity and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for students from historically underserved communities.

Proposed an equity policy for Jackson Public Schools to address implicit bias and discrimination.

Supports combating poverty and promoting equity through a responsible contractor policy and a living wage ordinance.

Supports pathways into stable, lucrative careers in the building trades to build financial and economic stability.

Proposes a community police oversight commission to enhance policing transparency and regularly review police use of force policies, having previously signed onto the 8 Can’t Wait Pledge and President Obama’s Reimagining Police Pledge.

Proposes creating a community police oversight commission to enhance policing transparency and community relations, with advisory responsibilities on policies, training, and budget within the police department.

Organized a Gun Violence Task Force to study policies addressing gun violence, which is viewed as a public health crisis, and supported the community-based Cure Violence program.

Supports increased transparency in policing and enhanced use of force training for officers.

Supports passing a Fair Chance Housing Ordinance to ensure housing stability for returning citizens and those with prior arrests or convictions.

Supports improving public health by banning tobacco use in parks.

Supports prioritizing high-efficiency buildings, solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Supports the creation of an Environmental Commission and the development of a Climate Action Plan to combat climate change through new technologies and community systems change.

Announced plans to introduce an ordinance requiring new developments in Jackson to be prepared for electric vehicle adoption by making sites EV capable or EV ready and installing charging stations.

Supports long-term planning to close achievement gaps, address discipline disparities, provide culturally responsive teaching, and promote mental health, ensuring equitable access to resources for historically underserved students.

Supports $10 million in funding for evidence-based youth violence prevention strategies in schools, emphasizing mentorship and community coordination.

Supports using city funds to address poverty in Jackson and opposes efforts to criminalize poverty through anti-panhandling ordinances.

Proposes the establishment of a community police oversight commission to enhance policing transparency and has signed onto pledges to review and reform police use of force policies with community input.

Proposes creating a community police oversight commission to enhance policing transparency and community relations, with advisory responsibilities on policies, procedures, and budget within the police department.

Supports a $1.5 million investment in police programming and Group Violence Intervention to combat neighborhood gun violence.

Supports a gun safety resolution aimed at increasing awareness of safe firearm storage practices and reinforcing shared responsibility between schools and families to protect students and educators.

For Candidate Derek J. Dobies on Issue public-safety:  
Supports increasing awareness and responsible storage behaviors for firearms as effective prevention strategies.

Supports a requirement for parental acknowledgment in student safety topics, aligning with existing district practices.

Supports relaxing policies to encourage urban farming, urban apiaries, and keeping chickens.

Announced plans to introduce an ordinance requiring new developments in Jackson to be prepared for electric vehicle adoption by making some sites EV capable or EV ready and installing charging stations.

Supports an equity policy for Jackson Public Schools to address implicit bias and discrimination and to foster an inclusive school culture.

Supports $10 million in funding for evidence-based youth violence prevention strategies in schools, focusing on mentorship and community support.

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- 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.