Kunselman defeats Grand in 3rd Ward race for Ann Arbor City Council
With all precincts reporting, Democratic incumbent Stephen Kunselman has defeated challenger Julie Grand in the 3rd Ward race for the Ann Arbor City Council.
Stephen Kunselman
Julie Grand
"I am feeling good," Kunselman said after celebrating his victory with supporters on the back patio of Dominick's bar on Monroe Street.
"I mean, it was a lot of money that went into this campaign on my opponent's behalf. I just feel very fortunate that the voters stuck to the issues."
Kunselman, U-M's energy conservation liaison and a former township administrator, is a lifelong Ann Arborite looking ahead to a fourth two-year term on council. He served one term from 2006 to 2008 and has served two consecutive terms since returning to council in 2009.
Grand, chairwoman of the city's Park Advisory Commission, was hoping to make the leap to council after six years working on park issues on PAC. She's a Burns Park area resident and a lecturer in health policy studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Grand ran an aggressive and well-funded campaign with support from some of Mayor John Hieftje's political allies, though she didn't officially have the mayor's endorsement.
Grand gave a brief speech following the election results to a crowd of her supporters gathered at Sava's Cafe. She said she's disappointed she lost but proud of the campaign they ran.
"Right now I just want to tell you about what a great job my volunteers did," she said. "Two years ago, there were fewer than 1,100 people who came out in this election. We thought we needed 800 votes to win. We got more than 800 votes. Steve got more."
Kunselman has earned a reputation as an independent thinker on council, sometimes butting heads with the mayor on issues ranging from the Downtown Development Authority's tax captures to the push for a new train station on Fuller Road.
Grand spoke often throughout her campaign about wanting to do a better job of proactively communicating with residents about city issues, arguing Kunselman hasn't done that.
A major supporter of the work the DDA is doing downtown, Grand cited among her top priorities engaging the public in the development of city-owned properties around downtown. She also said infrastructure improvements with specific attention to stormwater were high on her list.
Kunselman, who lives near Packard and Platt, believes too much time and money is being wasted on downtown while neighborhoods suffer. He said he wants to see the city more focused on repairing infrastructure like roads and water mains and addressing issues like neighborhood blight.
Kunselman will face Independent candidate Samuel Devarti, a member of the new Ann Arbor Mixed-Use Party, in the November general election.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
LBH
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
Julie, please do run again, and I will vote for you again. The abysmal turnout is very disappointing. I think it may say more toward the fact that a vast majority of people are basically happy with the way things are going. They will be in for a rude awakening as things begin to change from vitalization to obstruction.
you can't handle the truth
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1 p.m.
"Kunselman, who lives near Packard and Platt, believes too much time and money is being wasted on downtown while neighborhoods suffer. He said he wants to see the city more focused on repairing infrastructure like roads and water mains and addressing issues like neighborhood blight." No fixing the blight in his neighborhood. The only answer there is to move.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.
Councilman Kunselman - if you're reading this: 1) Congratulations; 2) Be a voice on council to stay focused on basic infrastructure and services: police, fire protection, roads, water mains; 3) Question the DDA. What worked in the 1980s may not be what we need TODAY; 4) Be mindful of spending taxpayer money on projects that are not core services and infrastructure.
craigjjs
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.
"I mean, it was a lot of money that went into this campaign on my opponent's behalf. I just feel very fortunate that the voters stuck to the issues." In his moment of victory Kunselman has to take a shot at his opponent who lost by some 60 votes. Typical Kunselman.
StraightTalk
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 11:27 a.m.
Kunselman shouldn't be so smug about a mandate. He won by 60 votes against an unknown candidate. And 30 of those votes may have just been grateful chicken owners.
Alum
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 10:23 a.m.
Great news for this ward. We need more officials looking into the business of the DDA.
LBH
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
The DDA who have done a fantastic job with making down town more walkable and a much more vital place to be, that DDA? As one who spends a lot of time down town I can say it has steadily improved in recent years. If the plan is to go back to catering to people who 'never go down town because there is no place to park', then this is a truly sad outcome.
RUKiddingMe
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 9:38 a.m.
I was disgusted w/ Kunselman's forging ahead on the ridiculously-defended wind turbines, but I still see him as the lesser of two evils in this choice. I'm glad he won this, but hope he's influenced somehow to be more responsible with tax dollars.
Michigan Man
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 7:04 a.m.
Very weak ward!
Colorado Sun
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 5:42 a.m.
The effort to reform the DDA will move forward - led by CM Kunselman. The recent arrest of a DDA member who received six-figure no-bid contracts with the City of Ann Arbor after his DDA appointment has brought welcomed increased public scrutiny of a public body that has run amok.
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 8:18 p.m.
Context to CS's comment regarding Nader Nassif's charges: http://bit.ly/aadc-nnsf
Colorado Sun
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 6:32 p.m.
DDA member Nader Nassif's law firm: www.annarborchronicle.com/2013/06/17/15th-district-court-drives-city-budget-adjustment/ He is currently free on $25,000.00 bond on a charge of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted.
HENDRIX242
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
What did I miss? Which DDA member received a six-figure no-bid contract? Please provide a link.
M.Haney
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 4:47 a.m.
Congratulations to Stephen Kunselman. An independent thinker for the City of Ann Arbor citizens.
snark12
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 2:56 a.m.
I don't know why Kunselman says not enough money is being spent in the neighborhoods. Didn't he see those two kittens being rescued today?
Brad
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 3:39 a.m.
Those kittens were rescued in Pittsfield Township which last time I checked was not part of Mr. Kunselman's ward. Well, being outside Ann Arbor and all. Why I am responding to someone who doesn't know that difference I can't tell you.
bro
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 2:51 a.m.
You ran a good race Julie! Maybe next time.....sad day for AA
Veracity
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 3:59 a.m.
What did you see in Julie Grand that you did not see in Stephen Kunselman?
Brad
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 3:39 a.m.
0-for-2 today, eh?
The Eyes of Justice Team
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 2:30 a.m.
Great!!!! Lets move forward to get the Mayor out of office. Postema anounced tody he was running for Judge. We are organizing a Anti-Postema 4 Judge group.....Stay tunned for details. Today was a great day for the citizens of Ann Arbor.....Lets move forward not backwards....Postema as Judge would be a huge mistake.
Basic Bob
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 10:37 a.m.
It's an upgrade for the prosecutor's office.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 2:15 a.m.
who?
JRW
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
"Kunselman, who lives near Packard and Platt, believes too much time and money is being wasted on downtown while neighborhoods suffer. He said he wants to see the city more focused on repairing infrastructure like roads and water mains and addressing issues like neighborhood blight." Congrats to Mr Kunselman! More sanity on city council will be welcome! Fix the potholes!
JBK
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:16 a.m.
Now Julie can go back to playing in the parks and Stehpen can continue to be a thorn in the side of John boy. With Jack now on the Council and Stephen re-elected, A2 may not see another high rise in downtown for years to come. Now if we could only do something about those darn potholes........:)
Brad
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 4:50 a.m.
Funny, I don't feel the least bit frightened.
4 Real
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 2:57 a.m.
"A2 may not see another high rise in downtown for years to come." That should frighten, not excite people. How the heck are you going to fund more services, more police, without new tax dollars??? This is going to suck.
Timber
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:11 a.m.
Congrats Mr Kunselman. A victory over adding yet another of the Mayors cronies (Ms Grand) to the council.
kittybkahn
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:06 a.m.
YAY!! Congratulations, Steve!!!
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:02 a.m.
Congrats on your victory. It's a great day for Ann Arbor.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 12:57 a.m.
well, my guy won. But I'm not exactly jumping up and down. Voting for what I see as "the lesser of 2 evils" isn't the stuff that excites me.
Veracity
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 3:57 a.m.
What "evils" do you see?