Politics
Dave Bing will not seek re-election as Mayor of Detroit
Detroit Mayor, Dave Bing
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing ripped Michigan officials Tuesday for failing to deliver on promises and then announced he won’t seek re-election in the city, which recently became the nation’s largest to be placed under state oversight.
“What matters most to me is giving residents a better Detroit,” Mr. Bing said in making the announcement at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. “I have to wonder if the state is truly interested in a partnership.”
The 69-year-old professional basketball Hall of Famer and former steel supply company owner was elected mayor in 2009. At least six other candidates could file to run by the deadline on Tuesday, setting up an August primary ahead of the November election.
Bing took office having inherited a budget deficit of more than US$300 million. It could reach US$386 million before July 1.
In March, Detroit became the largest city in the United States to fall under state oversight when Gov. Rick Snyder appointed bankruptcy attorney Kevyn Orr as emergency manager. Mr. Orr has final say on all city financial matters.
Bing said he remains opposed to having an emergency manager over the city’s finances even though he repeatedly has said he would work with him.
“Fighting doesn’t fix anything,” Bing said.
In a statement Tuesday, Orr commended Bing on his service to Detroit. “The work that he has begun has set Detroit on a path to achieve many of the goals necessary for the city to thrive,” Orr said.
