Join me in moving Ferndale Forward

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

Together we will do the work worth doing to preserve what makes Ferndale special while creating opportunities for everyone to make it their home.

ABOUT

A Midwesterner by birth and Ferndalian by choice, Donnie Johnson earned a BA from The George Washington University, a JD from The Catholic University of America, a LL.M. in Tax Law from Georgetown University, and a MLIS from the University of Maryland.

Currently the Associate Budget Director for the City of Detroit, he has served in the Detroit city government for eight years. He serves on the Ferndale Housing Commission and Civil Service Board, and was Chair of the 2022 resident-led Ferndale Facilities Task Force.

A passionate advocate for engagement in municipal government and for vulnerable communities, Johnson formerly served as Ferndale Precinct 9 Chair and as a member of the Affirmations Board of Directors, where he served as Treasurer. In his spare time he can be found gardening, cooking, reading science fiction, and supporting the Ferndale Cat Shelter.

Priorities

  • Housing

    Establish and fund the Housing Trust Fund;
    Create down payment assistance programs;
    Enhance development incentives to create more affordable housing units;
    Continue the work toward zoning reform to implement Missing Middle housing solutions

  • Seniors & Families

    Replace the Kulick Center;
    Enhance home repair assistance programs;
    Improved representation of Ferndale’s seniors and working families in city government, including regularly scheduled listening sessions to receive feedback and suggestions

  • Business Support

    Attract more small businesses and support existing businesses with startup loans, renovation loans, and strengthening connections to county, state, and federal business development programs;
    Engage in regular listening sessions with the business community to better understand their unique needs

Endorsements

Haley Stevens, U.S. Congresswoman [D-MI 11]
Mallory McMorrow, State Senator
Helena Scott, State Representative

Dave Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Treasurer
Charlie Cavell, Oakland County Commissioner
Helaine Zack, Former Oakland County Commissioner

Melanie Piana, Mayor, City of Ferndale
Kat Bruner James, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Ferndale
Raylon Leaks-May, Councilmember, City of Ferndale
Greg Pawlica, Councilmember, City of Ferndale
Chuck Goedert, Former Mayor, City of Ferndale
Dan Martin, Former Mayor, City of Ferndale, Ferncare Executive Director, Ferndale Housing Commission President
Kate Baker, Former Councilmember, City of Ferndale
Scott Galloway, Former Councilmember, City of Ferndale
Dennis Whittie, Former Councilmember, City of Ferndale

Bret Scott, Mayor, City of Pleasant Ridge
Ann Perry, City Commissioner, City of Pleasant Ridge

Fems for Dems
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors®
Humane Society Legislative Fund
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
Metro Detroit AFL-CIO
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
Sierra Club®
Unity Fund

PJ Jacokes, DDA Board Chair, GoComedy!
Omar George, DDA Board Member, The Terrarium
Metari Harris, DDA Board Member, Bags & Beads
Jacki Smith, former DDA Board Chair, Coventry Creations & Candle Wick Shoppe
Chris Best, Rust Belt Market
Dan Davis, Dan Davis Design
Dale Vigliarolo, LakePointe Construction

Jeannie Davis, President, Ferndale Seniors
Jennifer Bentley, Ferndale Housing Commission
Reggie Sutherland, Ferndale Housing Commission
Deanna Wiltse, Ferndale Housing Commission
Judeen Bartos, President, Ferndale Library Board of Trustees
Jenny Marr, Director, Ferndale Area District Library
Kelly Gavin Farrah, Secretary, Ferndale Library Board of Trustees
Quinn Zeagler, Chair, Environmental Sustainability Commission, Finance Review Committee
Lynn Clark-Geiner, Vice Chair, Ferndale Facilities Task Force
Rachele Downs, Ferndale Facilities Task Force
Carla Pareja, Ferndale Facilities Task Force

Liz Bauer
Darcie Brault
Andy Chapman
Melissa Chapman
Sharon Chess
Bridget Deegan Krause
Kevin Deegan Krause
Sean Drate
Carissa Gaden
Dale Gaden
Irenita Goedert
Ann Heler
Monique Herzig
Walt Herzig
Jill Hurst
Tony Hurst
Carol Jackson
Deena Kachadoorian
Nina Kelly
Beth O’Connor
Frank O'Donnell
Jim O'Donnell
Jim Piana
Eric Rader
Janelle Rogers
Cathy Schneider
Linda Schneider
Mary Schusterbauer
Keith Vansen
Karin Vigliarolo
Helen Weber