Regina Ross to join Whitsett in race for Detroit City Council seat

A Detroit teacher active in her local Democratic Party lost District 7 by 59 votes in 2021. This time she will face state Rep. Karen Whitsett, a harsh critic of Democrats.

Regina Ross smiles for a portrait from 2016. Photo courtesy of Regina Ross

Detroit teacher and community advocate Regina Ross is running for city council’s District 7 seat, which she lost by a few dozen votes to Councilman Fred Durhal III in 2021.

She confirmed her intention to run again over the phone Monday, saying she plans to make clear to voters in the newly drawn 7th district why she’s the best candidate to replace Durhal, who is preparing a run for mayor.

Ross joins state Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, who filed last year, in the race for the city council seat that represents more than 90,000 people on Detroit’s west side.

Last month, Whitsett became the target of statewide anger from progressive lawmakers and activists after her absences and protest cost House Democrats the ability to hold votes and pass legislation championed by Detroiters.

Her state House district overlaps with District 7, which was redrawn last year as part of the city charter mandated redistricting process.

Council districts were redrawn last year. Districts each hold at least 90,000 residents, divided by population from the latest census results. Image: City of Detroit

Whitsett blamed former House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, for not negotiating while Democrats had rare control of each branch of government. Durhal namelessly criticized Tate for not holding more voting days in an interview earlier this month. He says he’s on good terms with Whitsett as he prepares a mayoral campaign.

“I wanted all my colleagues to know, this wasn’t me,” Whitsett told reporters last month from the House floor on the final day of session. He would not negotiate — the Speaker — in good faith.”

Tate, who is also considering a run for mayor, was criticized by other House Democrats for refusing to hold votes on progressive legislation, including bills would have given drivers licenses to undocumented migrants.

Ross is a formidable candidate, even more so if enough Democrats and labor leaders line up behind her in an effort to punish Whitsett.