Rabhi challenges Ann Arbor's Democratic establishment with socialist mayoral bid

Washtenaw County Commissioner and Democratic Socialists of America member Yousef Rabhi will mount a challenge from the left for Ann Arbor mayor against Democratic incumbent Chris Taylor.

The Ann Arbor Democratic primary is Aug. 4, and the primary winner in the liberal stronghold city will likely win in the November general election.

Rabhi, 37, said he is broadly building his campaign around “bold solutions” to Ann Arbor’s affordability problems, providing community members with a far greater voice in solving city issues, and taking meaningful steps to insulate the city from Trump administration abuses, especially on immigration.

Among other proposals, he is calling for a deep investment in public ownership and stronger city services with the aim of reducing costs for working-class residents. Rabhi said he would achieve that in part by ending the city’s reliance on out-of-town consultants, limiting tax incentives for developers, reversing the privatization of city services, and making “historic investments” in affordable, publicly owned housing and co-ops.



https://michiganadvance.com/2026/02/02/rabhi-challenges-ann-arbors-democratic-establishment-with-socialist-mayoral-bid/