Daniel Mahoney Announces Candidacy for Jackson Mayor

(April 6, 2021 10:58 AM) Daniel Mahoney today announced his candidacy for City of Jackson Mayor.  Current Mayor Derek Dobies announced last week he would not seek reelection to a third term.  

Daniel Mahoney currently serves as District 7 Jackson County Commissioner, first elected in 2014, representing the east and south sections of the city of Jackson.

“I’ve had the opportunity to reflect, pray, and speak to my family over the past few days. The diverse groundswell of support since last week has made me confident that I can put together a winning campaign,” said Daniel Mahoney. “With the backing of so many in this city, I’m excited to announce my candidacy for mayor and continue to build upon the progress we’ve made together.”

Mahoney is also the president of the Jackson County Branch NAACP and has served on several boards, committees and commissions locally, statewide and nationally. He has been recognized for his contributions to the community and the work he does through his non-profit organization Many Hands Community Services.

Mahoney said he plans to continue the progress and direction initiated by the current leadership of the city. If elected, Mahoney plans to focus on fixing the roads; public safety; diversity, equity and inclusion; neighborhood revitalization; transparency & accountability; and economic development.

“I plan to focus on rebuilding an equitable economy while we emerge from the pandemic, fixing our roads, and continuing to make a safer city for Jackson families,” said Mahoney. “This is going to be a refreshing, exciting campaign and we are going to work on bold solutions. As the father of five girls, I want to work hard to build a brighter future for our city.”

Daniel and his wife Semaj, are both born and raised Jackson natives, graduates of Jackson High School. Both attendees of Eastern Michigan University, Daniel for Business – majoring in Entrepreneurship and Communications and Semaj for Education – Early Childhood Development. The Mahoneys are members of United People Community Church under the leadership of Pastor Billy Pierce and first lady Monica Pierce. They are the parents of five  girls, Calvena (12), Sophia (9), Olivia (8), Cecilia (6), and Ila (3) who are the owners of their own business, Sister Smoothies.

Mahoney has worked in wireless technology for 20 years and is currently a Business Account Executive with T-Mobile For Business.

Mahoney has been a community leader in Jackson for over a decade making his initial mark on Jackson’s south side 12 years ago, founding “The Jackson Back 2 School Bash,” serving over 500 kids yearly with backpacks, school supplies, lunch and more. That event led to the Mahoneys establishing a non-profit organization in 2019 called Many Hands Community Services.

 While elected to the County Commission as a Democrat, the Jackson mayoral election is nonpartisan.  If more than two candidates file by the deadline of April 20, a primary election will be held on August 3, with the two top vote getters making it on the November 2 ballot.   Also up for election this year are wards 1, 3, and 5 city council seats.