Ann Arbor Ward 3 Voters Will Select New Representative
The city council election on November 3, 2026, features candidates Ryan Bartholomew and Kenny Leicht.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Child Care
Live Poll
Do you prefer a city council candidate with professional policy experience or a political outsider?
Ann Arbor voters in Ward 3 will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect a successor to current council member Ayesha Ghazi Edwin. Democrat Ryan Bartholomew and independent Kenny Leicht are competing for the open seat.
Why it matters
The outcome of this race will determine representation for Ward 3 as the council addresses local challenges, including the high cost of family services. Residents are choosing between candidates with distinct professional backgrounds and legislative priorities.
Average monthly infant childcare in Ann Arbor costs $2,700. Candidate Ryan Bartholomew holds two Public Policy degrees from the University of Michigan, while Kenny Leicht has worked as a local maintenance and repair technician for nearly a decade.
The players
Ryan Bartholomew
He is a Democratic candidate for the Ward 3 seat and works as a policy director for State Representative Carrie Rheingans.
Kenny Leicht
He is an independent candidate for the city council who has spent nearly ten years working as a maintenance and repair technician in the ward.
Ayesha Ghazi Edwin
She is the current Ann Arbor City Council member whose vacancy necessitated this election.
Carrie Rheingans
She is a State Representative who employs Ryan Bartholomew as her policy director.
League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund
This organization manages the voter guide that provides official candidate responses to the public.
The details
Ryan Bartholomew currently serves as a policy director for State Representative Carrie Rheingans, while independent candidate Kenny Leicht has lived in the ward for eight years. Both candidates provided background information for a voter guide managed by the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund.
Timeline
Kenny Leicht pleaded no contest to misdemeanor gun charges in 2013.
The Ann Arbor City Council election will occur on November 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
This election operates under the procedural framework established by the Michigan Election Law for all municipal contests. The shift toward independent candidacies in local government reflects a broader trend of voters seeking alternatives to traditional party-line representation.
The election result will directly influence the council's approach to the $2,700 average monthly cost of infant childcare in the city. Voters should consider how each candidate intends to manage municipal resources and address the financial pressures faced by local working families.
The takeaway
Voters in Ward 3 face a choice between candidates with vastly different professional experiences in the months leading up to the November election. Residents should research both platforms to understand how each individual plans to support the local economy and essential services.
Further reading
For more information on how local policy impacts local families, visit Child Care.
More information
Residents can review candidate profiles and election details in the official voter guide.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
Live Poll
Do you prefer a city council candidate with professional policy experience or a political outsider?
