Though mayoral candidates have been coming out of the woodwork for Detroit elections this year, Mayor Dave Bing has been tight-lipped about whether he'll run again. On Thursday, however, he began the process to run for re-election.
Bing picked up petitions needed to run for his second full four-year term at the City Clerk's office downtown, according to the Detroit News.
According to MLive, Bing will decide whether to run again "really soon". He has until May 14 to turn in 500 signatures.
A tweet sent by the mayor's official account indicated he was keeping his options open as the city cooperates with the state to fix its finances:
Kevyn Orr, a turnaround expert, was appointed emergency manager for Detroit by the Gov. Rick Snyder in March. Under state law, he has the ability to fire city officials. His term will end in less than two years.
"We work well together," Bing said in a press conference Thursday, adding that he understands Orr has "the final say." Bing has continually said he cares more about the future of the city than who has control.
Mayoral candidate and Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon is currently leading the race, according to a poll taken that did not include Bing as a potential candidate. Former Detroit Medical Center CEO Mike Duggan was four points behind Napoleon. Pollster Joe DiSano told The Huffington Post that he didn't see the mayor as a significant candidate.
"Dave Bing is a political dead man walking," he said.
Other candidates include former state Rep. Lisa Howze, state Rep. Fred Durhal Jr., and former city lawyer Krystal Crittendon. Tom Barrow, who previously ran against Bing, also submitted signatures to put his name on the ballot Thursday.
Primary elections are held in August, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election.
