Fred Durhal III

Fred Durhal III

Nonpartisan

Detroit City Council District 7

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

3

Predecessor

Gabe Leland

Prior offices

Michigan House of Representatives District 5

Successor: Cynthia A. Johnson

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Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 2, 2021

Education

Other

Attended Eastern Michigan University

Personal

Birthplace

Detroit, Mich.

Profession

State representative

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Instagram

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Personal TikTok

Fred Durhal III is a member of the Detroit City Council in Michigan, representing District 7. He assumed office on January 1, 2022. His current term ends on January 1, 2026.

Durhal ran for election for Mayor of Detroit in Michigan. He lost in the primary on August 5, 2025.

Biography

Fred Durhal III was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is the son of former Michigan State Rep. Fred Durhal, Jr. Durhal III studied political science at Eastern Michigan University.

He has been associated with the following organizations:

• Michigan Democratic Party (Eleanor Roosevelt Member)
• Young Democrats of America
• Dexter Elmhurst Community Center (former board member)
• Barton McFarland Community Organization
• Littlefield Community Organization
• Russell Woods-Sullivan community organization

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Durhal's professional and political career:

• 2004: Literacy Director for AmeriCorps: Guidance Center
• 2004: Village Builders of Northwest Detroit
• 2008, 2010 and 2012: Deputy Campaign Manager for the Fred Durhal, Jr. for State Representative campaign
• 2010: Campaign Worker for the Pam Jackson (D) for State Representative campaign
• 2012: Campaign Worker for the Oakland County Democratic Party
• 2013: Deputy Campaign Manager for the Fred Durhal, Jr. for Mayor campaign
• 2009-2015: District Office Manager for State Representative Fred Durhal, Jr.
• 2015-2018: District 5 Representative in the Michigan House of Representatives

Elections

2025

See also: Mayoral election in Detroit, Michigan (2025)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for Mayor of Detroit

Solomon Kinloch and Mary Sheffield are running in the general election for Mayor of Detroit on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Solomon Kinloch (Nonpartisan)
		Mary Sheffield (Nonpartisan)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Detroit

The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Detroit on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mary Sheffield (Nonpartisan)	50.7	43,597
✔		Solomon Kinloch (Nonpartisan)	17.3	14,900
		Saunteel Jenkins (Nonpartisan)	16.0	13,738
	Submit photo	Todd Perkins (Nonpartisan)	5.4	4,603
		James Craig (Nonpartisan)	5.2	4,458
		Fred Durhal III (Nonpartisan)	3.4	2,902
		Jonathan Barlow (Nonpartisan)	0.8	707
	Submit photo	Danetta Simpson (Nonpartisan)	0.6	538
		Joel Haashiim (Nonpartisan)	0.4	349
	Submit photo	Arnold Boyd (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	42
	Submit photo	Rogelio Landin (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	10
	Submit photo	Kristopher Carter (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	2
	Submit photo	Joyce Jennings-Fells (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	2
	Submit photo	Angelo Brown (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	1
	Submit photo	Oneita Jackson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	1
	Submit photo	Winnie Imbuchi (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	1
	Submit photo	Jeremy Conn (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Lucinda Darrah (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Doris Anderson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Jonny Myles (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Lakeita Norwood-Brown (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	169

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	There were no incumbents in this race. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 86,020
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2021

See also: City elections in Detroit, Michigan (2021)

General election

General election for Detroit City Council District 7

Fred Durhal III defeated Regina Ross in the general election for Detroit City Council District 7 on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Fred Durhal III (Nonpartisan)	50.1	5,607
		Regina Ross (Nonpartisan)	49.5	5,548
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	42

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,197
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Detroit City Council District 7

The following candidates ran in the primary for Detroit City Council District 7 on August 3, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Fred Durhal III (Nonpartisan)	29.9	2,563
✔		Regina Ross (Nonpartisan)	24.2	2,076
	Submit photo	John Bennett (Nonpartisan)	19.6	1,676
		JoAnna Underwood (Nonpartisan)	14.1	1,210
	Submit photo	William Davis (Nonpartisan)	5.3	454
	Submit photo	Angy Webb (Nonpartisan)	4.1	353
	Submit photo	Robert Dunlap (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	1.4	120
	Submit photo	Reba Neely (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.2	19
	Submit photo	Ericka Murria (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.2	18
	Submit photo	Charles Anthony (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	2
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	80

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,571
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• DeQuincy Hyatt (Nonpartisan)
• Terrell George (Nonpartisan)

2018

See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Michigan State Senate District 4

Marshall Bullock defeated Angela Savino in the general election for Michigan State Senate District 4 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Marshall Bullock (D)	78.3	58,107
	Submit photo	Angela Savino (R)	21.7	16,115

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 74,222
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 4

Marshall Bullock defeated Fred Durhal III and Carron Pinkins in the Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 4 on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Marshall Bullock	44.3	12,384
		Fred Durhal III	38.3	10,706
		Carron Pinkins	17.5	4,885

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,975
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 4

Angela Savino advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 4 on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Angela Savino	100.0	5,345

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,345
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016.

Incumbent Fred Durhal III defeated Dorothy Patterson in the Michigan House of Representatives District 5 general election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 5 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Fred Durhal III Incumbent	92.51%	17,832
	Republican	Dorothy Patterson	7.49%	1,444
Total Votes				19,276
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

Incumbent Fred Durhal III defeated Cynthia Johnson in the Michigan House of Representatives District 5 Democratic primary.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 5 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Fred Durhal III Incumbent	57.41%	2,246
	Democratic	Cynthia Johnson	42.59%	1,666
Total Votes				3,912

Dorothy Patterson ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 5 Republican primary.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 5 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Dorothy Patterson  (unopposed)

Endorsements

In 2016, Durhal's endorsements included the following:

• United Auto Workers
• Teamsters
• Michigan Education Association
• American Federation of Teachers
• Michigan Association of Police Organizations
• Detroit Police Officers Association
• Michigan Regional Carpenters and Millwrights
• Michigan Professional Firefighters Union
• Michigan Townships Association
• Fannie Lou Hamer PAC
• 13th Congressional District Democratic Party
• Michigan Spanish Speaking Democrats

2014

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Fred Durhal III defeated Cynthia Johnson and four others in the Democratic primary. Dorothy Patterson was unopposed in the Republican primary. Durhal defeated Patterson in the general election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 5 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Fred Durhal III	94.4%	11,796
	Republican	Dorothy Patterson	5.2%	645
	Write-in	Cynthia Johnson	0.4%	50
	Write-in	Tonya Wells	0%	3
Total Votes				12,494

Michigan House of Representatives, District 5 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Fred Durhal III	50.4%	2,360
Cynthia Johnson	32.6%	1,528
Ishmail Terry	7.2%	335
Tonya Wells	3.7%	172
William Phillips	3.1%	147
Ja'meka Armstrong	3%	139
Total Votes		4,681

Endorsements

In 2014, Durhal's endorsements included the following:

• United Auto Workers (UAW)
• Michigan Education Association (MEA)
• Michigan Townships Association
• Detroit Police Officers Association
• Michigan Regional Carpenters

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Fred Durhal III did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2021

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released September 29, 2021

Fred Durhal III completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Durhal's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

From January 2015 to January 2019, I served as State Representative for Michigan’s 5th House District. During my tenure, I served as the Assistant Democratic Leader of the House in my first term. In my second term, I served as the Minority Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee (Ranking Democrat). I am the proud sponsor of Public Act 111 of 2016, over 20 pieces of legislation, and the Co-Sponsor of many Public Acts. I have been on the front line to work for solutions of some of our State’s most pressing issues such as the Flint Water Crisis, and the DPSCD Rescue Plan to prevent Detroit Public Schools from bankruptcy. I have worked to protect close to $790 million dollars of Revenue Sharing that was threatened to be cut, delivered over $100,000 dollars to local community groups, fought to save programs for our youth and seniors, and passed laws that protected our citizens. I possess legislative acumen and a keen understanding on how to make policy that benefits our State, City, and citizens. Additionally, my budgeting acumen affords me a deep understanding of State, County and Municipal finance and understanding the importance of maintaining a balanced budget that is fiscally responsible.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Neighborhood Stabilization- The issues of abandonment and blight must be priority. In District 7 particularly, there are many abandoned homes, dilapidated structures, and blight is a significant problem. Assessing what homes should be demolished or rehabbed is the primary step. Second, the utilization of increased funding from Proposal N must be targeted in areas that that are in most need. Finally, investing in mechanisms that assist with reducing illegal dumping is necessary. Programs should be established in the City of Detroit encouraging residents to report offenders who dump in our communities. This program should contain a reward program for citizens who report offenses.
• Jobs and Economic Development- We must get Detroiter’s back to work. This involves creating more jobs for citizens and programs for apprenticeship, skilled trades, and preparing our residents for the jobs of the future. Continued investment in programs such as Detroit Works, will assist with preparing our citizens. Entrepreneurship is also a vital component. The encouragement for Detroiters to start their own business not only bring fresh ideas, but it also creates an avenue where local Detroiters can hire other Detroiters. Additionally, increasing economic development, small business growth, and creating commercial empowerment zones that provide access to retail and community accessibility will assist with lowering the unemployment rate.
• Affordable Housing- Detroit faces a serious housing crisis. This crisis involves housing that is affordable for residents and the ability to repair homes that are structural damaged. Housing instability in the City of Detroit is a serious issue. With nearly 10,000 of Detroit’s 22,000 affordable housing units set to expire by 2023 when low- income housing tax credits expire, the threat of homelessness is severe. Additionally, more than 3,500 Detroiters requested rental payment assistance in Michigan in 2021. Detroiters contribute 48% pf their income to housing (Detroit Free Press, 2021). Housing is considered affordable when it consumes less than 30% of household income. The development of new housing is needed in Detroit.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There are many areas of public policy that I am personally passionate about. The top three areas are Budget, Neighborhood Stabilization, Jobs and Economic Development, and Public Safety. These areas are vital for the City of Detroit to thrive.

Budget- The generation of additional revenue sources to ensure fiscal sustainability within the city budget is essential to ensure Detroit does not revert to a fiscal crisis.

Neighborhood Stabilization- Our neighborhoods should be priority. Demolishing abandoned structures or rehabbing structures that can be fixed will assist with blight. Enforcement of ordinances that we already have established, will assist in ensuring that neighborhoods are safe and clean. Additionally, we must implement stronger ordinances and policies for illegal dumping, to ensure that those who violate our ordinances will not continue such behavior.

Jobs and Economic Development- We must get Detroiters back to work. This requires that we create more jobs for citizens and programs for apprenticeship, skilled trades, and prepare our residents for the jobs of the future. Increasing economic development also requires small business growth. The creation of commercial empowerment zones that provide access to retail and community accessibility for residents will allow for more Detroiters to obtain employment, while allowing those dollars to remain in Detroit's economy.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2016

Durhal's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Seniors and retirees

“

In Lansing, Durhal will: Fight to Repeal the Pension Tax Fight to make sure the the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion stays funded in Michigan. Introduce legislation to strengthen the penalties for those who commit crimes against Seniors, such as; Senior Neglect, Identity Theft, Financial Scams, Telemarketing Scams, Healthcare/Medicaid Insurance Fraud, Homeowner Reverse Mortgage Scams, and Internet Scams. Fight against all legislation that is harmful to our Seniors and Retirees.

”

K-12 education

“

In Lansing, Fred Durhal will: Fight to Repeal the EAA Fight to protect and support Public Education in Michigan. Fight to increase the Per Pupil Allocation for distressed. School Districts.

”

Jobs, economic development & human services

“

In the State Capitol, Durhal Will: Jobs Plan Make sure every worker in Michigan is provided a Livable Wage. Protect pensions of Michigan Workers. Work to bring Jobs to Michigan. Opposed to giving tax breaks to Businesses who outsource and send our jobs elsewhere and outside Michigan. Work to secure more jobs under the States Road Plan Economic Growth Foster a climate that expands Michigan's Middle Class Foster a climate where people have more spendable income. Increase training opportunities with existing business. Support Economic development with State officials ensuring that they have the tools they need to compete for the jobs of tomorrow. Human Services Support legislation and efforts to protect the Safety Net. Oppose reductions to benefits. Easier access to job training. Oppose drug testing as a qualification to receive benefits. Make sure benefits are available to all Michigan Residents in need.

”

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Fred Durhal III campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2016	Michigan House of Representatives, District 5	Won	$45,300	N/A**
2014	Michigan House of Representatives, District 5	Won	$25,024	N/A**
Grand total			$70,324	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

State legislative tenure

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Michigan

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Michigan scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2018

In 2018, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 10 through December 31.

• Business Leaders for Michigan

Legislators and candidates are scored on their economy policy views.

• Michigan Chamber of Commerce: Senate and House

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• Michigan Farm Bureau

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture.

• Michigan League of Conservation Voters

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.

• Michigan Sierra Club

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.

• MIRS: Senate and House

Legislators are scored on a number of bills selected by the editor of MIRS, a state capitol newsletter.

• Right Michigan

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to conservative issues.

• National Federation of Independent Business in Michigan: 2017-2018 voting record

Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 11 through December 31. Americans for Prosperity: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Michigan Chamber of Commerce: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Michigan Farm Bureau Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Michigan League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. Michigan Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. MIRS: Senate and House Legislators are scored on a number of bills selected by the editor of MIRS, a state capitol newsletter. Right Michigan Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to conservative issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 13 through December 31. Americans for Prosperity Michigan Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Michigan Chamber of Commerce: House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Michigan Farm Bureau Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Michigan League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. Michigan Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. MIRS: Senate and House Legislators are scored on a number of bills selected by the editor of MIRS, a state capitol newsletter. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 17. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Committee assignments

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Michigan committee assignments, 2017
• Appropriations, Vice chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Durhal served on the following committees:

Michigan committee assignments, 2015
• Appropriations

See also

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Mayor of Detroit

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Detroit City Council District 7

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Gabe Leland	Detroit City Council, District 7 2022 - Present	Succeeded by NA
Preceded by Fred Durhal, Jr. (D)	Michigan House of Representatives District 5 2015– 2018	Succeeded by Cynthia A. Johnson (D)