The City Council is composed of two representatives from each Ward and the Mayor. Each year, one of the two representatives from each Ward is subject to an election. The Mayor is elected in even numbered years (ie: 2010, 2012). Ann Arbor is strongly Democratic, these days. Thus, the primary election often determines the outcome of the general election. Surprisingly, this year there are three Republican candidates who will appear on the November ballot. On August 10, former Republican Jane Lumm announced that she will run as an independent in the Second Ward ("... As the Republican party moved to the right, I've felt a bit deserted.")


CTN Channel 19 recorded the October 5, 2011 debates for the contested Council races. Those debates are now available the the CTN on-demand web page.

1st Ward

2nd Ward


Democratic Party Primary Results:
Stephen Kunselman Won! Ann Arbor Chronicle coverage; Ann Arbor dot com article

The Republican Party had no contested races for the August primary. Democratic incumbents in the Second, Third and Fifth Wards faced challengers. All of the incumbents won their primary races.

1st Ward

2nd Ward
3rd Ward