Pugh Vs. Bing: Let The Games Begin

It’s never too early to slip on your fighting gloves when seriously considering an election bid.

Currently, Detroit’s mayoral seat is being discussed, and while it’s very likely that incumbent Dave Bing will run again, the first-term mayor has not committed to a second year yet.

Meanwhile, potential candidates are lining up. With City Council President Charles Pugh and the DMC’s front-man Mike Duggan getting their political stars aligned for a run, Bing may have some serious contenders. Even though the primary for Detroit’s mayoral election is more than a year away, there already seems to be signs of political tension brewing; at least between Pugh and Bing.

This became more noticeable with the council’s recent spat with the mayor over the removal of the city’s top lawyer, Krystal Crittendon. Pugh shared what sounded like negative political ad verbiage after Bing asked the council to remove Crittendon two weeks ago.

That day, Pugh told The Detroit News:

That day, Pugh told The Detroit News: “Shouldn’t the mayor of Detroit be doing something else? Shouldn’t he be trying to get investment or development in his community? Shouldn’t we be trying to move forward with the Program Management office to reshape the city? Shouldn’t he be trying to get taxes that we haven’t collected? What is he doing?”

Now, with Duggan gearing up to throw his hat in the ring for the city’s top spot, Pugh said it’s time for those considering candidacy to step their game up. Pugh took a light stab at Bing by putting the mayor’s credentials behind Duggan’s.

Pugh told The News:

 “Very few people are going to be able to compete with [Duggan] resume to resume, including the incumbent who’s sitting in the job.”

Ouch. These are some campaign fighting words. Bing better make his decision to run or not quickly, because it seems the race has (unofficially) begun.