ANN ARBOR, MI – A battle for control of Ann Arbor City Council is expected to play out in the 2020 elections.

Mayor Christopher Taylor and his allies saw their 7-4 majority flip in favor of a back-to-basics coalition in the 2018 elections.

Residents unhappy with the new council’s approach to issues like affordable housing and development are now planning to run next year in hopes of reversing last year’s outcome.

Lisa Disch, a University of Michigan political science professor, is the first challenger to officially announce her 2020 campaign.

Disch intends to challenge Council Member Anne Bannister, D-1st Ward, in the August 2020 primary.

Bannister unseated Jason Frenzel, one of the mayor’s allies, to get elected to council in 2017. Frenzel is now backing Disch, who describes herself as a progressive Democrat.

She’s interested in serving on council as city leaders further consider how to manage growth, noting the city will soon engage in a master planning process.

“I think Ann Arbor is at a crucial turning point with being an engine of economic growth in southeast Michigan,” Disch said, suggesting the city is not growing enough.

“And the current majority on council, though they say that they believe in affordable housing, they say they believe in things like pedestrian safety, their votes are voting for congestion and against the kind of development that would make Ann Arbor an inclusive and sustainable place by absorbing some of the people who have jobs here.”

Bannister, who has opposed some developments, such as a 69-unit townhome project on Pontiac Trail, said she’s proud of the work council is doing and the relationships she’s built with 1st Ward residents in her first term. She said she intends to seek a second term in 2020 and welcomes the challenge from Disch.

“We have a great team of council members assembled and we all bring different skills to the table and I think we’re getting a lot done,” Bannister said.

“I think our record is speaking for itself in that we’re having more thoughtful, vigorous debates and discussions of issues that are coming before us. So, I’m proud to be part of this council, and as long as Ward 1 residents want me to serve again, I’m willing at this point.”

Disch said she has lived in Ann Arbor in the 1st Ward for 11 years and is concerned it’s becoming less affordable. She wants Ann Arbor to have a diverse and economically heterogeneous population.

“I was very lucky to come in 2008 when the market had softened somewhat,” she said. “In my neighborhood, small houses are going for half-a-million dollars, and I don’t necessarily want half-a-million-dollar people as neighbors. Some of them, I’m sure, are very nice, but that isn’t what I thought I was moving to. And we’re a city. We should have opportunities for everyone. We shouldn’t be so high-priced.”

Others expected to run for council in 2020 include public relations specialist Jen Eyer, who’s planning to challenge 4th Ward Council Member Jack Eaton, and city Planning Commissioner Erica Briggs, who’s eyeing what could become an open 5th Ward seat, though they have not officially announced.

Sources say other potential candidates are considering running in the 2nd and 3rd wards.

Ann Arbor District Library Board President Linh Song is considering a run in the 2nd Ward for the seat now held by independent Jane Lumm.

Two of the mayor’s allies on council — Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, and Chip Smith, D-5th Ward — may not seek re-election in 2020. Both say they haven’t made a decision yet.

Smith said he’s focused on trying to keep moving sustainability, affordable housing and mobility issues forward. Whether or not he runs again, he’s glad someone like Briggs may run, he said.

Ackerman said there’s a lot to weigh and for now he’s focused on the job of governing and representing Ward 3.

Disch said she’s entering the 1st Ward race to fight for affordable housing, safety and environmental sustainability with a focus on mobilizing people.

A native of Evanston, Illinois, Disch said education and politics were linked in the home where she was raised by a school secretary and labor organizer.

She has a history of political activism and has canvassed for Democratic candidates at the local, state and national levels, she said.

She participated in Voters Not Politicians, the successful ballot initiative to establish a nonpartisan citizen redistricting commission in Michigan.

Disch said being part of that movement inspired her, showing her there is grassroots passion for the issues she cares about as a teacher and researcher.