Joel Haashiim, 73, announces run for Detroit mayor: 'We have two different cities here'
By Dana Afana
Detroit Free Press
Northwest Detroit resident Joel Haashiim, a former businessman who ran a party store and became a wholesaler, is stepping up to compete for the seat after years, he says, of feeling that political leaders are not working enough for the community. Haashiim had planned to run for office in 2021 but registered late and instead turned his support to Anthony Adams in his failed race against Mayor Mike Duggan.
“We have two different cities here. We have downtown Detroit, and we have our community,” Haashiim said. “We've seen the tax abatements and how they have neglected the community. We've seen a great loss of population in the city. And the future of the children and the grandchildren are in jeopardy … young people are leaving”
Haashiim, 73, joins the race against City Council President Mary Sheffield, who filed her paperwork in August and has raised nearly $80,000 since. Duggan has not yet declared whether he'll seek reelection. No other candidate has filed for mayor, according to Wayne County campaign finance records.
Haashiim aims to bring higher-paying jobs to Detroit, reduce crime and establish a program for citizens returning from incarceration. He also says he'll address population loss, which Duggan is currently fighting. The mayor has said soon after taking office that the success of his administration should be judged on the city’s population growth.
“I think Detroit is an international city and it has not reached its full potential as an international city,” Haashiim said. “We need to get a viable program set up for our returning prisoners to make sure that they can have skills and trades that will pay an occupational wage, and you're talking about a $35 an hour and up.”
Posted on 02 Jan 2024, 14:19 - Category: In The News