Two takeaways from business-focused Detroit mayoral debate

Axios

6 days ago

Candidates for Detroit mayor butted heads on what constitutes "experience" during a debate Thursday evening at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
Why it matters: In the debate and throughout the conference, candidates are showcasing their platforms, leadership abilities and willingness to work with businesses, while courting potential supporters — including those with deep pockets.
State of play: The annual convening of political and business leaders is organized by the Detroit Regional Chamber, whose political action committee board members could be among business leaders to offer support. The board will meet in June to discuss if they'd endorse a mayoral candidate before or after the primary.
Those debating were City Council member Fred Durhal III, City Council president Mary Sheffield, former nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins, Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. and former police chief James Craig.
Here are two takeaways from the debate, which included rebuttals, unlike previous discussion forums.
"Experience matters," as Jenkins said and others expressed. But candidates disagreed about what having experience means, and whose history of impact inside or outside government will help Detroiters the most.
"Talk to the people in the neighborhood and see whether or not they agree with the past performance. It doesn't matter how experienced you are if your experiences don't change the experiences of the people that live in this city," said Kinloch, who has argued that Detroiters want to see a different kind of leader.
Durhal said that he disagreed, that "we are in a critical time here in the city of Detroit, and we cannot turn that over to someone who has to have on-the-job training."
Weighing in on Duggan: Candidates were asked what Mayor Mike Duggan has done right and wrong on business issues.
Jenkins said the mayor did well attracting business and jobs, and rebuilding confidence in the city. Now, though, Detroit needs to assure the same growth is happening equitably in neighborhoods outside greater downtown.
Craig said Duggan did a "phenomenal job" returning services to Detroiters after the bankruptcy, but the next mayor needs to make it easier to open a business here.
Meanwhile, Sheffield highlighted Duggan's partnership with the City Council and the mayor's "foundation," while saying poverty needs to be dealt with and neighborhoods need more investment.