Campaign in the News
“Democratic socialist announces Ann Arbor council campaign, calls for social housing”
By Ryan Stanton | ryanstanton@mlive.com - excerpt
“ANN ARBOR, MI — Dave Zeglen says he’s running to bring democratic socialism to the Ann Arbor City Council and he believes it can do great things for the city.
A proud member of the Huron Valley chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Zeglen said he’s inspired by Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s electoral victory in New York and Yousef Rabhi’s similarly socialist bid for Ann Arbor mayor.
Zeglen, who is endorsed by Rabhi and eyeing the 4th Ward seat being vacated by Dharma Akmon, announced his platform Tuesday, Feb. 17.
He’s calling for investment in union-built social housing, public power, labor rights and mobilizing the city’s resources to protect people from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ensure everyone can live in a sanctuary city.
His grassroots campaign relies on volunteers rather than paid consultants, connections with local community groups instead of corporate interests, and small donations from everyday people instead of establishment money, he said.”
“Ann Arbor mayor, council races draw democratic socialist challengers”
By Shaye Smith February 19, 2026 - excerpt
“The city of Ann Arbor’s newest candidates for public office are presenting a different option for voters: democratic socialism.
Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi recently announced on Feb. 2 campaign for mayor against progressive incumbent Christopher Taylor, running as a democratic socialist in the Democratic mayoral primary race in August. Then on Tuesday, U-M International and Comparative Studies professor David Zeglen announced his campaign for Ward 4 City Council representative on a similar platform to Rabhi. Both Rabhi and Zeglen are members of the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America.”
“In an interview with The Daily, Zeglen said he has a long history with social justice work, union membership and social activism both domestically and internationally. He said he was moved to run for public office to expand local democracy.
‘There’s a massive erosion of local democracy that’s happening in the city where people just don’t feel listened to,’ Zeglen said. ‘What’s really motivated me to run is, I really do believe in expanding democracy and deepening it on where it does exist, and that’s the real principle of democratic socialism.’ "