Lumm Mulls Ward 2 Race as Independent

Although the city of Ann Arbor’s website previously reflected a different deadline date, city clerk staff has confirmed by phone for The Chronicle that the deadline for non-partisan Ann Arbor city council candidates to file nominating petitions to appear on the Nov. 8, 2011 ballot is Wednesday, Aug. 10.

So with only one remaining weekend between Friday, Aug. 5, and the filing deadline, Jane Lumm told The Chronicle that she was headed to the city clerk’s office to pick up nominating petitions to become an independent candidate for Ward 2 city council. Late Friday afternoon, on her way to the clerk’s office, she said she has not yet made a final decision about circulating the petitions. She continues to mull a range of considerations that will ultimately factor into her decision.

Incumbent Stephen Rapundalo is already on the ballot to represent Ward 2 on the Ann Arbor city council, having won his Democratic primary on Tuesday against challenger Tim Hull.

Lumm previously served on the city council from 1993-98, winning election as a Republican. During that span she served with a fellow Republican in the other seat for Ward 2 – first Peter Fink and then David Kwan.

In 2004, Lumm ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Ann Arbor as a Republican. That much she has in common with Rapundalo, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor as a Republican in 2000. Rapundalo switched parties in 2005, winning his first term to represent Ward 2 in the November 2005 general election against Republican Tom Bourque.