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Ann Arbor City Council Ward 1

The City Council is the legislative body that governs the city. The City Council consists of the Mayor and ten Council members, two from each of Ann Arbor's five wards. One half of City Council is elected every two years in even-year partisan elections. Members serve four-year terms.

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    Cynthia Harrison
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position?

What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them with available resources?

What are the most serious problems facing the City of Ann Arbor and what steps will you take to address them?

What would you like to see happen with growth and density in Ann Arbor in the next ten years? Please include specific policies and/or actions you would support or not support.

How do you plan to communicate with residents in your ward?

DISTRICT Ann Arbor City Council Ward 1
PHONE 734-386-1221
WEBSITE votecynthiaharrison.com
I have spent my career solving complex problems, building consensus, and delivering results. As a member of Ann Arbor City Council, I have worked on issues ranging from housing affordability and climate action to public safety and infrastructure. My professional background has given me experience managing budgets, evaluating policy, and working with diverse stakeholders. Most importantly, I have demonstrated a commitment to listening to residents, understanding their concerns, and turning community priorities into action. My combination of experience, practical problem-solving, and proven leadership prepares me to continue serving Ann Arbor effectively.
My goals are to expand housing opportunities, strengthen our infrastructure, improve public safety, and advance Ann Arbor’s climate goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility. With limited resources, I believe we must focus on investments that deliver multiple benefits, such as housing near transit, energy efficiency improvements, and preventative infrastructure maintenance. I will continue seeking grants, leveraging public-private partnerships, and carefully prioritizing spending based on measurable outcomes. Good governance means making thoughtful choices, ensuring accountability, and maximizing the value residents receive from every tax dollar.
Housing affordability remains one of Ann Arbor’s greatest challenges. Too many people who work here cannot afford to live here. We also face aging infrastructure, transportation needs, and the urgent challenge of climate change. To address these issues, I support increasing housing supply, particularly near transit and employment centers; continuing investments in roads, water systems, and public facilities; expanding transportation options; and implementing practical climate solutions that reduce emissions while saving residents money. These challenges are interconnected and require thoughtful, long-term planning.
Ann Arbor will continue to grow, and our policies should help ensure that growth benefits the entire community. I support adding housing in walkable, transit-served areas and along major corridors, while allowing a greater variety of housing types throughout the city. I support implementing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, encouraging mixed-use development, and reducing barriers that unnecessarily limit housing production. I also believe growth should be paired with investments in infrastructure, parks, transit, and sustainability. I do not support policies that artificially constrain housing supply and drive up costs for current and future residents.
Communication starts with accessibility and meeting people where they are. I will continue to hold office hours, attend neighborhood meetings, respond to emails and phone calls, and maintain an active presence at community events. Partnering with trusted local organizations helps ensure information reaches those who don’t always have access to traditional civic channels. I also use social media to keep residents informed about council decisions and upcoming issues. Just as important, I listen. Effective representation requires hearing from people with different perspectives and making sure residents know their voices matter. My goal is to remain approachable, transparent, and accountable.