Detroit’s next mayor will be chosen without an incumbent defending the seat. For the first time since 1974, when Coleman A. Young made history, the path is clear for a new Black mayor to lead a city that remains over 80% Black. This shift reflects not only a political opportunity but a long-overdue return to representation rooted in the community’s core.
Joel Haashiim, a retired businessman with global reach, has officially entered the race and will appear on the August ballot. With decades of international experience as a supplier and dealmaker across more than 15 countries, Haashiim is centering his campaign on reducing corporate dominance in city government and returning power to the people of Detroit.
He believes the city’s political decisions have leaned too heavily toward corporate interests, often at the expense of the residents who have sustained Detroit through its hardest chapters. Haashiim’s campaign calls for a redirection—one where development serves communities first and is guided by those who live in the neighborhoods impacted most.
A major part of his platform includes diversifying Detroit’s tax base. He is advocating for policies that welcome international businesses to relocate to Detroit, not only to create jobs but to shift the city’s reliance away from narrow economic interests. Haashiim views global investment as a tool—not a takeover—and he’s positioning himself as the candidate who can navigate international opportunity while protecting local integrity.
His approach reflects a community-first mindset backed by business experience. Haashiim’s campaign is shaped by a vision where Detroit becomes both globally competitive and deeply rooted in its people’s needs.
This interview shares Haashiim’s full responses to the same 18 questions posed to all mayoral candidates. From economic development and housing to technology access and fiscal sustainability, his answers offer a perspective shaped by global business and a commitment to put Detroiters first.
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