First Examiner.com article on 2014 Ann Arbor Mayor contest

Sally Petersen, here seen campaigning for City Council in 2012, announced Wednesday that she was running for Mayor.
Credit: Petersen's campaign website.

Petersen makes four running for Ann Arbor Mayor

Wednesday, Sally Hart Petersen declared her candidacy for Mayor of Ann Arbor.  That makes her the fourth sitting member of City Council to announce that they are running for the seat that John Hieftje will be vacating at the end of the year.

Petersen joins Stephen Kunselman, Christopher Taylor, and Sabra Briere, all Democrats, in seeking their party's nomination for the office in August.  So far, no Republicans or independents have declared their candidacies.

In her press release accompanying her announcement, Petersen said, "I believe I am the best candidate who can lead the city forward to improved economic prosperity, a more collaborative relationship with the University of Michigan, and broader civic engagement.  I believe my combination of leadership experience, skills and interests in the private, public, and non-profit sectors make me uniquely qualified to lead Ann Arbor into its next era of growth and sustainability."
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Petersen's announcement came only five days after that of Briere, who just won re-election last November of independent Jeff Hayner to her fourth term on council.

Taylor and Kunselman both announced last year, Taylor in December and Kunselman in September, even before he won re-election to his council seat.  Taylor is in the middle of his third term on council, while Kunselman has just started his fourth.

The candidacies of Petersen and Taylor will leave open seats on City Council.  The Ann Arbor Chronicle reported that Democrat Kirk Westphal, who lost to independent incumbent Jane Lumm for her seat in Ward 2 has pulled petitions to run for the seat Petersen will be leaving vacant.  The online paper also noted that Julie Grand, who lost to Kunselman in last August's Democratic primary, has also pulled petitions to run for the Taylor's seat.

It's only January, and already I have an article about this year's municipal elections.  Looks like it will be an interesting year at all levels of government.