---
title: "Democrat, Independent Vie for Ann Arbor Third Ward Seat"
url: https://www.hereannarbor.com/2026/10/21/ann-arbor-ward-3-council-race-bartholomew-leicht/
date: 2026-10-21T06:48:04-04:00
modified: 2026-10-21T06:48:04-04:00
author: "Mateo G. Bello"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Ann Arbor"
attribution: "HERE Ann Arbor"
---

# Democrat, Independent Vie for Ann Arbor Third Ward Seat

> ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Third Ward voters in Ann Arbor will pick between a Democrat and an independent this November to fill the City Council seat held by Ayesha Ghazi Edwin. Ryan Bartholomew, the Democratic nominee, works as policy director for state Rep. Carrie Rheingans. He has made the high cost of living in Ann

*Source: [HERE Ann Arbor](https://www.hereannarbor.com/2026/10/21/ann-arbor-ward-3-council-race-bartholomew-leicht/) — October 21, 2026 by Mateo G. Bello*

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Third Ward voters in Ann Arbor will pick between a Democrat and an independent this November to fill the City Council seat held by Ayesha Ghazi Edwin.

Ryan Bartholomew, the Democratic nominee, works as policy director for state Rep. Carrie Rheingans. He has made the high cost of living in Ann Arbor the center of his campaign and says he wants to speak up for residents of the ward.

Kenny Leicht, who fixes and maintains equipment for a living, is running without a party label. He has said he chose that route so voters would not see him as answering to a party leader or platform.

The two do agree on Proposal E, the citizen-initiated plan for a city-run electric utility. A yes vote would set up a utility run by nine board members, five of them elected and four named by the council. The board would run the system and set rates, though the council would have to approve them.

Ballots are cast Nov. 3, with voting across Michigan running from 7 in the morning until 8 at night.