The Metro: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim fights for Detroit grassroots power
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Detroit mayoral candidate and businessman Joel Haashiim joins The Metro at WDET Studios, June 17, 2025.
There are a few candidates running as outsiders in Detroit’s mayoral election. They say they aren’t typical politicians and that they plan to prioritize the needs of residents in neighborhoods first. Joel Haashiim is one of those outsiders.
He’s a businessman who first opened a store on Seven Mile and Hartwell Street at the age of 20. Now, the 73-year-old is running on a platform to stop billionaires like Dan Gilbert and the Ilitch family from controlling local politics. Haashim says he wants to put power into people’s hands. To do this, he says he wants to bring back “Citizens’ District Councils,” and start a public bank.
Haashiim joined The Metro to share more about his platform and priorities for the city if elected Detroit’s next mayor.
Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.
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