Southfield elects new clerk, votes to keep position elected rather than appointed

SOUTHFIELD — Southfield voters chose a new clerk on Election Day, and they also voted to maintain the ability to choose the next one.

The unofficial results are in for the 2023 election in Southfield, and 68.61% of Southfield voters (8,680 votes) decided against Charter Amendment Proposal 1, which would have changed the city treasurer from an elected to an appointed position. A whopping 70.34% (8,875 votes) voted against Charter Amendment Proposal 2, which would have changed the city clerk from an elected to an appointed position.

Michael Manion, the Community Relations Director for the city, said that there isn’t much left to say in regard to the failed charter amendments. “I can tell you that it was a unanimous vote of the City Council to place the proposals on the ballot to let voters decide,” he stated.

Janet Jackson won the clerk position with 9,324 votes, or 74.34%. Her opponent, Gabi Grossbard, garnered 25.18% with 3,145 votes.

“I am happy and grateful for my win yesterday,” Jackson stated after the election. “I was very surprised at the number of voters that have faith in me for this position.”

Jackson said that while it is bittersweet to leave the Oakland County Board of Commissioners office, she welcomes the changes that come with her new position and serving the Southfield community.

Grossbard congratulated Jackson on her victory.

“There’s a lot of responsibility in this office, and I wish her much success,” Grossbard said. “Her success is the success of the city now.”

Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles, D-Southfield, spoke highly of Jackson in a press release.

“Commissioner Jackson has been a real advocate and trailblazer for Black women,” Smith Charles said. “She’s had nothing but open arms for me ever since I was elected to the Board, and I value the wisdom she’s been able to share. There’s going to be a little bit of a vacuum to fill in her absence, and I’m glad she’s continuing to serve our community.”

Five candidates ran for four seats on the Southfield City Council: Nancy Banks, Daniel Brightwell, Yolanda Haynes, Charles Hicks and Coretta Houge. The seats were won by Banks (9,068 votes), Brightwell (8,043 votes), Hicks (8,637 votes) and Houge (8,075). Michael Ari Mandelbaum won a partial term on council set to end Nov. 17, 2025, with 63.65% (7,536 votes) against Ryan Foster, with 35.95% (4,251 votes).