In the coming weeks the 2017 mayoral race will continue to heat up, but this week a few eyebrows were raised when a familiar name appeared on a list of those who’ve obtained paperwork to make a run.
Among the 37 names who’ve received the necessary paperwork you’ll find current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and his main challenger state senator Coleman Young II. You’ll also find Sixto Rodriguez, the man made famous by the 2012 Academy Award winning documentary ‘Searching for Sugar Man.’
Rodriguez was a struggling artist when the documentary began. Little did he know his music had become famous throughout South Africa — some went as far as saying he was the “Elvis of Africa.”
That reinvigorated his career, and led to an uptick of success both abroad and closer to home. His name popped up as a potential mayoral candidate in the past, but it turns out he wasn’t aiming to make a run at the Mayor’s office this time around.
He declined to talk directly to 7 Action News, but a woman living inside his home relayed messages to explain that his name appearing on the list was a “misunderstanding.”
It turns out he had only picked up the paperwork to try to convince the owner of the Psychedelic Shack, a chiropractor who goes by the name Dr. Bob, to run.
Dr. Bob said he had considered the option, and then tossed the paperwork. Rodriguez got a new set of paperwork and told him he needed to make a run.
“I told him to run, and he said no he’s pretty busy,” said Dr. Bob. “I’m pretty busy too, but I guess at this point we both just agreed that I’m the man for the job right now.”
Supporters have openly stated that Dr. Bob doesn’t have the greatest of chances. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who would look at his herbal supplement shop covered in colorful psychedelic murals and think he’s a lock to compete in the race.
However, those same supporters say that at the very least he carries a message that has helped his own neighborhood. People stopped and flagged down the 7 Action News van to rave about how he’s helped his own community in various ways, excited about the work he’s done close to home.
“I think I have a nice that speaks for the common man,” explained Dr. Bob. “I’ve been in the city for over 20 years and I’ve been building with it. I think I can speak for what most people would like to see happen in Detroit.”
