Dennis Archer Jr. is still considering running for Detroit mayor later this year but said this week he has not yet made a final decision.
“There are a lot of things to think about before making such a huge decision,” Archer Jr. told The Detroit News at Thursday at the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual Detroit Policy Conference.
“It’s a monumental task, and a lot of personal sacrifice,” he added.
Archer Jr., 55, is a high-profile Detroit entrepreneur, media personality, a lawyer, and the son of former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer.
His father served two-terms as Detroit mayor, from 1994 to 2001. He didn't seek a third term.
Archer's surname and his personal accomplishments would make him a formidable candidate, several local political analysts have said in the past.
The number of mayoral candidates and potential candidates for the August primary continues to grow.
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and former council president Saunteel Jenkins have already declared their candidacies, and both have raised significant funds. Detroit businessman Joel Haashiim is also an official candidate.
On Wednesday night, City Council member Fred Durhal III is holding an event where he will make a “special announcement” about his candidacy. Durhal is a former state representative.
Earlier this month, attorney Todd Perkins formed an exploratory committee to possibly run for mayor, according to public records. Perkins says he will make an official announcement about his candidacy soon. An exploratory committee allows someone to begin fundraising and hire staff for a potential run for political office.
Michigan state Rep. Joe Tate, the former House speaker, also has formed an exploratory committee but has not publicly declared he is an official candidate.
Archer Jr. has not formed an exploratory committee, according to public records.
Current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who has been in office since 2014, is not seeking a fourth term in office. Instead, Duggan, a longtime Democratic politician, is running as an independent candidate for Michigan governor in 2026.
Detroit voters will narrow down the mayoral candidates in an August primary. The top two vote-getters in the primary will the run head-to-head in an election that concludes in November.