DEARBORN — Mayor Jack O’Reilly has announced that he will be seeking re-election for a second term this year. O’Reilly became the interim mayor when Michael Guido passed away in December 2006. In 2009, he was elected to his first full term in office.

Mayor O’Reilly

O’Reilly held a campaign fundraiser Thursday morning at The Henry Hotel where breakfast was served, charging $100 per person. Over 350 supporters, including elected officials, community leaders and local residents turned out to show their support. Mayor O’Reilly has reportedly not yet pulled his petition to run for office, but he will be required to turn in at least 100 signatures by the city’s May 14 deadline. “I know the community very well,” he said. “I want to take it where it’s ready to go for two decades,” Mayor O’Reilly told the Dearborn Press & Guide earlier this week.

Mayor O’Reilly has had a rich history with the city even prior to becoming mayor. O’Reilly served as city council president for 17 years — the top vote-getter in each election gets the title and its responsibilities. His late father John was also the city’s mayor from 1978 to 1985, succeeding long-time mayor Orville Hubbard.

During his time in office, O’Reilly has had to deal with a city deficit which spiraled into eliminating several long time city services, including local swimming pools. Plans of eliminating two of the city’s libraries were also met with mixed reaction. In the end, only Snow Branch Library, located in the city’s west-end was closed. 

O’Reilly however has been adamant on finding new ways to improve Dearborn’s economy. He greenlit the Intermodal Rail Station project, expected to open this year, which has potential to attract more visitors into the Dearborn area. He also supported the construction of The Union, a dormitory complex for students attending the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It’s expected to bring 500 new residents into the city by the end of the year.