Amber Fellows / Campaign for Mayor of Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti Should Work for Everyone

Amber Fellows is running for Mayor of Ypsilanti to build a city rooted in housing justice, community resilience, and people-powered leadership.

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Meet Amber

Amber Fellows is a multi-decade resident, 43 years old, EMU alumn, DSA endorsed candidate, first-generation Japanese-American, queer, musician, and community organizer who defeated an appointed incumbent Democrat in August 2024.

In elected office, Amber funded incoming public restrooms, drinking fountains, and a city-run Community Responder program.

Amber led Ypsi to join Mayors for Peace, impose a year-long data center moratorium, call to defund ICE, and create the Water Street Citizen's and Tenants' Rights Committees.

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Ypsilanti, Michigan

The campaign platform

These six issue areas are confirmed platform categories. Final public copy for each category still needs campaign review.

Platform

Housing Justice

At nearly 70%, Ypsilanti has one of the highest percentages of rental households in the state. Landlord monopolies are at the root of housing injustice, especially for low-income, bipoc, disabled, lgbtqia+, immigrant, single parent, senior, and student residents. Enacting a Tenant Right of First Refusal, and overturning the statewide ban on rent control is one path toward stability for many Ypsi residents.

Platform

Broaden Decision-Making Power

A few staff and seven city council members should not make every governmental decision. We can include resident input on important community issues via survey and city-wide vote on a semi-annual basis, on issues like what to do with Water Street, the YPD budget, and more.

Platform

Community Resilience

Ypsilanti's tax burden is tough on residents and for few services. We can explore ways to reduce financial stress that will help residents thrive. Investing in green infrastructure and public power is a next step in climate resilience; and relaxing lawn ordinances and encouraging native and edible landscaping will help both Ypsilanti residents and the planet.

Platform

Repair Systemic Harm

Creating a Reparations Commission could help us imagine reparations as a community and deeply draw perspectives from residents impacted by racial injustices of the past and present. This would set off a cascade of healing for many Ypsilanti residents.

Platform

Improve Public Safety and Health

An important next step in improving public safety and community health is to allocate funds for an unarmed crisis response team that residents can count on for help. Fentanyl and other opioids present a serious danger to vulnerable residents. Resourcing community-led initiatives around harm reduction and drug-checking is life-saving.

Platform

End Local Cronyism

Replacing a regressive appointment system to a democratic elected system when City Council seats are vacant will allow residents to have more say in who is representative of community interests.

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