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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, endorsed<\/a> Washtenaw County Commissioner<\/a> Yousef Rabhi<\/a> Friday for Ann Arbor\u2019s mayoral Democratic primary election<\/a> on Aug. 4. Rabhi, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America<\/a>, is challenging progressive incumbent Christopher Taylor<\/a>, who has held the office since 2014<\/a> and would become Ann Arbor\u2019s longest serving mayor if reelected.<\/p>\n Rabhi\u2019s platform<\/a> focuses on expanding public services and affordable housing, as well as replacing DTE Energy with publicly owned energy<\/a>. In the past week, Rabhi has also received endorsements<\/a> from U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed<\/a> and the Ann Arbor Education Association<\/a>. During a speech announcing his endorsement, Sanders said Rabhi is committed to expanding public healthcare and making Ann Arbor more affordable overall.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom taking on (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to leading the fight for single-payer health care in Michigan, Yousef Rabhi has had the courage to stand up for working people and challenge powerful interests,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cAs mayor, he will fight to lower costs in Ann Arbor by building truly affordable housing, protecting public services and holding corporations accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor\u2019s campaign prioritizes increasing Ann Arbor\u2019s housing supply, improving infrastructure and increasing sustainable energy across the city. Taylor has been endorsed<\/a> by all 10 city council members, Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer and state Reps. Jennifer Conlin and Jason Morgan.<\/p>\n