DEARBORN — When Democratic State Representative Phil Cavanagh reflects on the legacy his father Jerome Cavanagh left behind as the mayor of Detroit, he remembers the historic March down Woodward Avenue that civil rights leaders around the country participated in more than 50 years ago.

During the march, Martin Luther King Jr.  first gave his famous “I Have A Dream Speech,” before delivering it on the steps of Washington D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial in 1963. 

Cavanagh takes great pride in the fact that while cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles all refused to hold the march because of civil strife, his father, who was mayor from 1962-1970, embraced the opportunity.

“I have a picture of my father walking side by side with MLK, and that is what I am most proud of him for,” said Cavanagh, who represents Michigan’s 10th House District.

His district encompasses Redford Township and a portion of Detroit. Cavanagh was a member of the Wayne County Commission for eight years, serving a total of four terms, before running for Wayne County Treasurer in 2008. He is serving his second term in the Michigan House of Representatives.  During his years in public office, Cavanagh has represented residents in Dearborn Heights and maintained a relationship with Dearborn. 

“There are so many positive things happening in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. The Arab community is strong, and diversity is the strength of southeast Michigan,” Cavanagh said.

He was a member of the Wayne County Commission during the aftermath of 9/11, when the community was under heavy scrutiny. “You honestly don’t look at somebody’s nationality and skin color. It is the content of their character,” he said.  

Cavanagh visited The Arab American News’ (TAAN) office in Dearborn late January to discuss his plans to campaign for Wayne County Executive. 

He told TAAN he plans on making an official announcement in mid-February or near the end of the month. Cavanagh has already established an exploratory committee and is garnering support, raising money and reaching out to people in Wayne County. 

Cavanagh.

Cavanagh hasn’t made the announcement yet because it would distract from the work he is doing on the State of Michigan’s Mental Health and Wellness Commission. 

The commission recently drafted a report that was sent to Gov. Rick Snyder’s office addressing gaps in the delivery of mental health services.  The report also proposes new service models to strengthen the entire delivery of mental health services throughout the state. 

Cavanagh says running for office is about taking the opportunity to change things. “Universally, I think people see that the county needs adjustment and it is headed in the wrong direction. I think that there have been mistakes,” Cavanagh said. “I believe that public service is an honor.  I am extremely honored to be trusted by the voters, and I will not disappoint that trust.” 

Despite the county’s current financial woes, he believes it can achieve a major comeback. “I believe our future days are much brighter,” he said. 

Cavanagh has won numerous awards for his service to the community, including “Child Advocate of the Year” in 2008 from Vista Maria, Michigan’s largest nonprofit residential and community-based treatment agency for abused and neglected girls. 

“I am a Democrat. It is not about me. It is about the universal message of the Democratic Party that is about helping those who least have a voice,” he said. 

“When they say it is in your blood, I guess it’s true. It is not about me. It is about all those you serve. It motivates me everyday when I think I can make a difference.” 

As a County commissioner, he worked to improve the delivery of mental health services, primarily to children. Cavanagh was one of 49 Democrats from the Michigan House of Representatives to be chosen by the governor to serve on the State of Michigan’s Mental Health and Wellness Commission. One Democrat and one Republican from the state senate were selected to serve as well. 

Wayne County has a population of almost two million people.  County commissioners and state representatives, in comparison, serve much smaller constituencies. 

When asked how he would prepare for the adjustment and what makes him qualified to become Wayne County’s next CEO, Cavanagh responded saying his experience in state and county government and knowledge of how both operate have readied him for the position. 

He served as an appointee to the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, where he helped balance the agency’s budget. Cavanagh was also a member of the commission’s Committee on Health and Human Services, which oversees public health services throughout the county. He was vice-chair of the Southeast Michigan Council of Government.  The Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for oversight of the county budget, also saw Cavanagh’s particpation. Finally, Cavanagh served as an appointee to the Wayne County Land Bank Authority, which focused on economic development.  

Cavanagh earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting from Aquinas College, as well as a master’s degree in business administration and a law degree, both from the University of Detroit Mercy. He completed the Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) and the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Wayne County’s current deficit is more than $200 million, due in large part to overspending. Balancing the county’s budget is going to be a tough task that Cavanagh says he is prepared for, and he would make it one of his top priorities.  

Cavanagh says addressing the budget will be very painful and that for too long county leaders have put off tough choices that need to be made. 

“Wayne County, specifically, it has great resources, and I think they have been misdirected. I think they have been wasted. I think we can get back on a path to balance our books and get people more positive about government. Right now, people have lost faith in government and I want to bring that faith back,” Cavanagh said. 

He wants to run a clean and transparent government that is inclusive by bringing people to the table with differing views to discuss issues. 

The list of candidates that have already joined the race include William Wild, the current mayor of Westland, and Wayne County Commissioner Kevin McNamara. Cavanagh says McNamara hasn’t been as active as him in many areas. 

“Bill Wild runs a very good city. I’m not sure whether he has the relationships or the understanding of county government, of state government. That is for the voters to decide,” Cavanagh said. 

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano hasn’t announced whether or not he will seek re-election, although he managed to raise $117,000 in campaign cash last year. The FBI is currently investigating Ficano’s administration for corruption.  

Cavanagh says he wouldn’t be afraid to go after the controversial perk that pays county appointees $5 for every $1 they contribute to their retirement plan.  

“The good days are over,” he said. “Public service is an honor, and it is temporary. We shouldn’t be saying that if you serve eight years, we’ll pay you for the rest of your life with a retirement plan, but we also shouldn’t say that we need to pay you the way Ford Motor Company pays their executives. We want the talent base, but let us motivate by civic pride.”

Cavanagh says there are currently over 200 appointees and that the number should be reduced. While Cavanagh was on the county commission, the proposal for the Pinnacle Race Course was introduced. The measure passed by a vote of 14-1, with his being the only vote against. The county spent $35 million on the failed project. 

“I was like this is 2008. The economy is crashing. We’re going to invest in a horse race track. So it is not about I told you so or anything else. I believe that I had a different vision and my current vision will best help to readjust the county,” Cavanagh said.