Mayor Marl Announces Re-Election Bid, Announces Major Endorsements

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Mayor Brian Marl announced Thursday his bid for a fifth term.

Marl, who served four years on city council before being elected mayor in 2012, expressed an interest in helping Saline regain its footing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downtown caused by the resulting lockdowns.

“The City of Saline has been on a strong, upward trajectory - and we can get there again,” said Marl in a prepared statement emailed Thursday. “But it'll take hard work and dedication, and we must continue to focus on the issues our citizens care about most: strong financial stewardship, diversifying our local economy, and prioritizing community-based public safety and infrastructure.”

Marl also spoke of the need for making Saline a more inclusive community. Saline was at the center of two racist incidents that drew regional and national media attention this winter.

"Saline is a very special community; and, we can be better. I am committed to investing time and resources to ensure Saline is a more tolerant and inclusive community to anyone who lives here, works here, or visits our city," Marl said. "During this campaign and beyond, I am looking forward to hearing others' thoughts and ideas about how to make Saline a more welcoming community."

Marl defeated Glenn Law to gain mayoral office in 2012. He was re-elected in 2014, defeating Lee Bourgoin in the most one-sided race in Saline mayoral history. Marl was unchallenged in 2016 and 2020.

This year, he faces a challenge from two-term City Councillor Christen Mitchell, who announced her candidacy last week. Marl said he would have normally announced his candidacy in the spring, but has been busy "supporting essential services for our community and business owners."

In announcing his candidacy, Marl rolled out endorsements from community leaders, including Fire Chief Craig Hoeft and former Councillors David Rhoads and Linda TerHaar.

"The Mayor has served as Chairman of the Saline Area Fire Board for the past seven years - he is organized and efficient, more importantly, he's committed to first responders and public safety officials. Brian is a strong leader, he deserves to be reelected," Hoeft said.

TerHaar and Marl were allies on council until she decided not to seek re-election in 2019. TerHaar was selected by Marl to be Mayor Pro-Tem.

"I am pleased that Brian Marl is seeking re-election as Mayor. His deep commitment to the good of Saline is clear. I especially value Brian’s skills and hard work to forge positive, respectful, and productive working relationships with city residents, with city staff and council members, and with neighboring communities," TerHaar said. "Such relationships are the foundation for the effective, problem-solving approach to city matters that Saline needs."

In 2012, Rhoads supported Law in his contest with Marl for the mayor's seat. But Rhoads and Marl quickly developed a positive working relationship and Rhoads served as his Mayor Pro-Tem.

"It gives me great pleasure to endorse Mayor Brian Marl for reelection in 2020. Brian continues to show great leadership and vision for our community," Rhoads said in his endorsement. "I believe that he should be given a strong show of support for his dedication to all of us in the critical position of Mayor of Saline."

Marl's press release also announced a petition-signing event in downtown Saline, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., June 27. The event is co-hosted by Councillor Dean Girbach and former councillor and current candidate Heidi McClelland.

Marl, on social media, has expressed support for the candidacy of Girbach and McClelland.

Voters in the City of Saline haven't recently seen candidates grouped in slates - but there are clearly alliances being formed ahead of the 2020 vote, with Marl, Girbach and McClelland on one side, and Mitchell and Councillor Janet Dillon on the other.  Marl/Girbach and Mitchell/Dillon have been on the opposite sides of many votes, including the city manager contract in 2019. 

There are several other potential candidates running for council, including Brian Cassise, who ran unsuccessfully in 2019, and  Dawn Krause, Kerstin Woodside and Jenn Harmount, all of whom have affiliation with the Saline Supports Our Community Social Justice Group. Mitchell has also worked with Saline Supports.

Longest-serving Saline Mayors

  • Gretchen Driskell, 14 years (until 2012)
  • Donald Shelton, 8 years (until 1986)
  • Brian Marl, 8 years (at the end of 2020)
  • Alwin Gross, 7.5 years (resigned July, 1948)
  • Henry Leutheuser, 6 years (until 1958)
  • Patrick Little, 6 years (until 1996)
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