by P.D. Lesko
Dr. Michael McVey was pouring over returns from the Saline mayoral race posted online by the Washtenaw County Clerk around 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. Surrounded by around a dozen supporters, as well as his wife and daughter, McVey gasped then blurted out, “I won, 55-45. Oh my gosh, I won!” Saline’s Mayor Brian Marl, after 14 years in office, was handily beaten by the EMU professor, a member of the Saline School Board. With McVey was his wife, Christen Mitchell, a small business owner. Mitchell is a former Saline City Council member who challenged Marl for mayor unsuccessfully. McVey ran a low-key campaign and said he knocked doors only minimally. Nonetheless, Saline voters, like voters around the country, showed the veteran politician the door in favor of new leadership.
On his campaign Facebook page, Brian Marl wrote: “Unfortunately, for me personally, Tuesday was not our day – we came up short and conceded the race for Mayor around 8:30 pm. I hope you will join me in congratulating and supporting Mayor-elect Michael McVey – I promised Mr. McVey a perfect and seamless transition. His success is our city’s success, and we should all want the Mayor-elect and the 2027 City Council to hit the ground running come January of next year. I know many are disappointed, I am too.”
McVey attributed his win to being a known quantity in the small town where he lives. “They’re [Saline residents] ready for changes, and they weren’t afraid of me. After 10 years on the school board and a known entity in town, teachers knew me, parents knew me. They know that I’ll do the job, and they know I’ll work hard at it, and I think that’s what made the difference.”
During the campaign, Marl painted McVey as a myopic dilettante unfamiliar with city government. On Oct. 23 Marl said, “Saline needs a Mayor familiar with our operations and policies, ready to lead and deliver on Day 1. We need someone with genuine commitment, relevant experience, and the right priorities.” On Oct. 8, Marl said, “My opponent has not attended one single City Council meeting all year. He is not involved in any way at the board, commission, or committee level, and undoubtedly lacks exposure to City issues. He’s simply unfamiliar with our practices due to a lack of involvement.”
Saline voters disagreed. Dr. McVey will assume office in January 2027.
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