DETROIT - The upcoming special nonpartisan primary to fill the remainder of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's second term could be one of the most pivotal elections in city history. Fifteen candidates are vying to lead this city in crisis, with the top two vote-getters next month advancing to a May runoff.
The election comes as Detroit's deficit could top $200 million, hundreds of layoffs are planned and its municipal bonds are now at junk status. The shadow of a nearly yearlong text-messaging sex scandal between the married former mayor and his ex-chief of staff hovers over the race and candidates.
Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty are serving time in the Wayne County Jail after entering pleas to charges stemming from testimony each gave during a 2007 whistle-blowers' trial. They were accused of lying under oath about having a romantic relationship and about their roles in the firing of a high-ranking police official.
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