Jane Lumm files to run as independent candidate for Ann Arbor City Council's 2nd ward
This story will be updated.
Jane Lumm, a former Ann Arbor City Council member and one-time candidate for mayor, filed petitions Wednesday afternoon to run for council this November.
If the petitions are certified, she'll appear on the 2nd Ward ballot as an independent, challenging incumbent Stephen Rapundalo.
She turned in about 200 signatures, said city Clerk Jackie Beaudry, but only needed about 100 to qualify.
The petitions should be certified on Thursday, Beaudry said.
"(After a) cursory check, it looks like she has more than enough signatures and sheets in," Beaudry said.
Lumm was a council member in the 1990s as a Republican, then ran for mayor as a Republican in 2004.
Rapundalo is a former Republican who switched parties. He won his primary early this month, beating challenger Tim Hull, a 26-year-old computer programmer at the University of Michigan, by a vote of 573-419.
"I didn't think I'd ever try to do this again," Lumm said this afternoon.
She said she considered a run near the primary filing deadline in May after she was contacted by local Republican officials. The timing didn't work for her, but she then was approached by some Democrats in the city and asked to consider a run, she said.
However, it didn't take on urgency until last week, as today's 5 p.m. filing deadline approached.
"I gave the green light on Saturday," she said of the effort to get petitions signed.
Supporters include attorney Tom Wieder and Peter Eckstein, she said. She's also supported some existing council members: Mike Anglin, Steve Kunselman and Sabra Briere.
Those three most often offer opinions contrary to the majority on council, a role that Lumm said she finds valuable.
If she's elected, she said, "it maybe will help break up what has become a pretty cozy fraternity" that excludes wider debate.
Lumm said her priorities for council would be to add police and firefighter staffing and confront structural spending issues, such as trying to trim legacy costs and pursue consolidation opportunities.
"In my view, I don't think we've managed the fiscal challenges well," she said.
Asked about her Republican history in light of her independent filing, Lumm describes herself as a fiscally conservative, socially moderate progressive.
"I haven't changed," she said. "... As the Republican party moved to the right, I've felt a bit deserted."
Comments
Trepang674
Fri, Aug 12, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
Having worked with Jane in the past I find her mind is alway....always working. Solutions to complex city hall issues don't come easy, but when Jane put her energies into it - pulling in opinions - asking the right questions, she is able to make a logical case. Jane will be far more connected to the voices of the 2nd ward. So glad she is coming back to the council blast furnace. She can handle the heat.
Tom Wieder
Thu, Aug 11, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
Don't worry about the "straight-ticket" issue. Except for a possible millage vote or two, this is the only thing on the ballot this fall. The "Democratic ticket" consists solely of Rapundalo. As the" soup Nazi" might say, "No coattails for you!"
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Aug 11, 2011 : 12:25 p.m.
"Rapundalo is a former Republican who switched parties." Paula, you modestly left out Mr. Rapundalo also ran for Mayor as a Republican, contributed to Rick Snyder's campaign, and for the most part, is just a Republican in Democrat white face.
Bob Carlin
Thu, Aug 11, 2011 : 11:13 a.m.
If you tend to vote a straight party ticket--either Democrat or Republican, remember that Steve Rapundalo is a Republican, not a Democrat. Most likely, Steve became a Democrat to capture those straight party ticket votes. In fact, he donated $500 to Rick Snyder's campaign for governor. To call yourself a Democrat in AA doesn't mean much. Party affiliation is mostly just a vehicle to get elected. So skip the straight ticket voting and look at the candidates instead.
PBFH
Thu, Aug 11, 2011 : 10:26 a.m.
Jane is level headed and has already proven herself as a fair-minded city council member in the past. This is the best news for Ward 2 in a long time. She has my support and vote.
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.
You can put a sign in my front lawn.
Bob Carlin
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 11:06 p.m.
With incumbent Rapundalo's infamous work on the Library Lot Advisory Committee, his less than stellar results as chair of the Labor Committee, and, his working to re-purpose Huron Hill Golf Course, I suspect Ms. Lumm could get a few votes in the second ward. She sounds like a great improvement.
Bob Martel
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.
Go Jane! You know I'd vote for you if I could!
Roadman
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
Jane Lumm did an excellent job with the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce. She is very well-liked by Democrats and Republicans alike and is easily one of he most popular civic leaders in Ann Arbor. She has been mentioned by some as one of the few Ann Arbor residents having the connections and charisma needed to defeat John Hieftje in a projected mayoral race. Expect her to land high-powered endorsements between now and the November election. Given the landslide independent candidate defeat of Hatim Elhady in the Fourth Ward in 2009, it will be interesting if she can beat Steve Rapundalo.
CynicA2
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
Sounds good to me! Time to cast-out the Rapundalo... begone!
Meral
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
Jane Your our great hope. The city of Ann Arbor deserves better, we know that it will happen with you there. Sorry dear major you had your way many many years. We trust Jane Lumm.
63Townie
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
If she's elected, she said, "it maybe will help break up what has become a pretty cozy fraternity" that excludes wider debate. What a fresh perspective; not endorsed by the mayor or the DDA. Best of luck to you Jane.
grye
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
You've got my vote.
David Cahill
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.
Go, Jane!
a2grateful
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
Well, maybe it will be more than just the ghost-town Dem primary deciding a council seat after all . . . Best wishes to Ms Lumm and the 2nd ward, and for the future health of our city !