by
Ex-Mayor James Fouts
Jim Fouts, 81, served as Warren mayor for 16 years. He was hoping for 20, but he lost a court battle over term limits, which prevented him from running last November for a fifth term.
Fouts, who is the same age as President Joe Biden, refused to declare his political career dead.
So, he ran this year in a Democratic primary for state representative in the 14th District against incumbent Rep. Mike McFall, 50, of Hazel Park. The District includes parts of Macomb and Oakland counties.
On Tuesday, the political comeback fell short; he lost to McFall 60.6 percent to 38.9 percent.
On Facebook, he posted a response to his loss:
Based upon my understanding of the political process I cannot win this partisan election. I'm neither a partisan on either side, but a bipartisan official. I have been very comfortable with being a bipartisan mayor for many years not a partisan. Thus, this was not a good fit for me. My opponent had the support of a number of partisan special interest groups and I had none. I had mixed feelings about this effort, but I did it because of being deprived of my day in court and the right to run for Mayor one last time.
The voters of Warren gave me five terms, but the council took away the final term and this was minus retroactivity, and was clearly a targeted ballot proposal. Only Warren has term limits in Macomb County and few if any cities have it in the metro area. I have one final hope at the highest level, but that is for another day. Many people told me they would vote for me in November, because they could not vote in the August Democratic Primary. But that is an issue over whether Michigan should allow cross bipartisan voting as some states do?
I have been honored to serve the good people of Warren for so many years and I thank everyone for giving me that honor. I have enjoyed returning calls from Warren people and others for 16 years and many years as councilman. And taking care of those problems 24/7. That cannot be taken away from me!
Despite my disappointment tonight it's been a great experience, and I think that my administration and the people I have served, deserve my humble thank you! NOTE: I chose this final election at my own costs and not requesting donations from anyone. I had hope to win without special interest groups, but I guess I was proven wrong and that special interest groups do rule the way people get elected!
