Former Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell endorses four candidates for City Commission

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Monday, former Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell released an official statement regarding which candidates he is endorsing for Kalamazoo City Commission during the November 2021 election.

Mayor Hopewell served as Kalamazoo’s mayor from 2007 to 2019, the longest period of time in the city’s history.

For those candidates endorsed, Hopewell says they are “all deeply rooted and long term contributors in our community, have already served it and would make great additions to make Kalamazoo the place we all know it can be.”

In addition to these candidates, Hopewell has also endorsed current Mayor David Anderson on his reelection.

Statements on each candidate can be viewed as follows:

Qianna Decker: “A lifelong Kalamazoo resident, Qianna has been giving back to our community for decades. While working in the finance industry, she has also served on the Kalamazoo County Land Bank’s board and worked on committees focusing on Affirmative Action and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She is running to support financial literacy in our community, and will advocate for economic development and affordable housing.”

Stephanie Hoffman: “Having lived on the Northside of Kalamazoo for the past two decades, Stephanie has worked to provide affordable housing and supportive services for those that are unhoused. Stephanie currently is the Executive Director of Open Doors Kalamazoo, an organization that works to combat houselessness. I serve with Stephanie on the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence board as we work to better our community. If elected, she will focus on affordable housing and growing the city and FFE’s equitable and long term impact in our city.”

Esteven Juarez: “Born and raised in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood, Esteven is on the streets everyday working to end gun violence. As Associate Director of Outreach at Urban Alliance and pastor at Vanguard Church, Esteven works with city staff and knows what many of our young people go through, and will be a voice for their struggles on the commission. If elected, he will focus on growing prosperity for all, neighborhood and community development and combating gun violence.”

Don Cooney: “For the entire time I was on the city commission and mayor, I served with Don. For more than 20 years, he has been a tireless champion for our city. I am excited that Don is returning to serve our community during a time of transition. If elected, he will focus on repairing racial injustices, combating climate change and inclusive community and economic development that supports people, place and prosperity.”

Hopewell also noted that residents can find out more on how and where to vote by visiting michigan.gov/vote. Additional information can be found on the City of Kalamazoo website.

A virtual candidate forum is also scheduled to take place this Thursday, September 30 at 5 p.m.

According to a report from MLive Monday, the virtual forum can be viewed the following ways:

Public Media Network Civic Channel – Channel 190 on Charter and Channel 99 on AT&T
Engage Channel – Channel 187 on Charter and Channel 99 on AT&T
Public Media Network Livestream
Public Media Network Facebook Page
League of Women Voters Kalamazoo Area Facebook Page

To find out what else is on the November 2021 ballot, click here.

Former Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell endorses four candidates for City Commission

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