By Tanya Terry, with photos provided by candidates
The Flint City Council 3rd Ward seat has been vacant since longtime community activist and Flint City Councilman Quincy Murphy died September 29, 2024.
Beverly Biggs-Leavy’s and AC Dumas’ names will appear on the ballot to fill this important seat during an Aug. 5 special general election. Each of them received 165 votes during the primary election in May.
LaShawn Johnson received 162 votes during that election and has announced she will continue to vie for the seat as a registered write in candidate.
The Courier reached out to the three candidates with questions and below are the candidates’ responses.
Beverly Biggs-Leavy
- What have you already done that proves you are passionate about the welfare of your city?
When asked what I’ve done that shows my passion for the welfare of my city, I can proudly say my record speaks for itself. I have led several recall efforts against elected officials who have proven themselves to be more focused on personal gain than the betterment of our community. I did not sit back in silence, I stood up for what was right, even when it was inconvenient or unpopular.
Beyond that, I have organized and hosted numerous community events without any city sponsorship because I believe in pouring back into our neighborhoods whether there’s recognition or not. My dedication has never been limited to one ward. I’ve made myself available to support not just my neighbors in the 3rd Ward, but residents across the entire city. When people call, I answer. When someone is in need, I show up. That’s not politics that’s passion, that’s service, and that’s love for my city.
Why is this 3rd Ward seat, specifically, so important to you (despite the length of time it has been taking to fill the seat and the challenges that have occurred)?
The 3rd Ward seat is important to me because I want to see the rise of our city and restore the pride we once had. I’ve watched, firsthand, how some elected officials have enriched themselves at the expense of the very people they were elected to serve and I know our city, and our neighbors, deserve so much better.
This seat represents more than a title it’s a responsibility to fight for safety, stability and progress. I want our youth to grow up in a ward where they feel inspired to do better and be better. I want our seniors to feel safe, respected and comfortable in their surroundings. I want to be part of the leadership that helps push Flint forward not backward.
Despite the delays and challenges in filling this seat, I’ve remained committed because I truly believe in the strength of the 3rd Ward and its impact on Flint as a whole. This isn’t just politics to me—it’s personal. I want to see our city rise, united, and strong.
How will your votes at Flint City Council meetings help improve the 3rd Ward in the future if you are elected?
If elected, every vote I cast at Flint City Council meetings will be made with one clear priority in mind: the best interest of my neighbors.
I will ensure that every decision I support brings value, safety, and opportunity back to the 3rd Ward. That means voting for policies and projects that improve our infrastructure, expand youth programs, protect our seniors, and support small businesses. I will not be influenced by personal agendas or political favors I’m here to represent the people, not special interests.
My votes will reflect what the community needs and deserves: accountability, transparency, and real results. I will push for the kind of change that uplifts our ward and strengthens Flint’s future—because when the3rd Ward rises, so does the entire city.
AC Dumas
What have you already done that proves you are passionate about the welfare of your city?
As a Community Organizer, Civil Right’s Activist, and Political Advocate and Activist for over 50 years, I have more experience than all the candidates combined seeking to represent the 3rd Ward!
I have been actively engaged in Federal, State, County and local politics and government for over 50 years, and I am ready, very poised and knowledgeable of how government works inside and outside!
Again, my resume spans over a half century, longer than all of the candidates combined seeking to be elected, and perhaps members of the Flint City Council! Plus, I have attended and have been actively engaged in MORE Flint City Council meetings continuously than any resident of the City of Flint, including those who are on Council and those seeking to be elected to the 3rd Ward Council seat!
I have owned businesses in the past in the City of Flint including ACE DEMOLITION, a Black Owned Demolition Company that was afforded me with the opportunity to do DEMOLITION work for the City of Flint, Genesee County and Private entities! (For Receipt, please go to the State of Michigan LARA Businesses and Industries).
I’ve been a member and associated with many organizations for over 50 years, including but not limited to the Flint Branch NAACP where I was elected as its President, 1st Vice President, and also served as a member of the Michigan State Conference NAACP Executive Committee in the past! I’m still active in the Flint Branch NAACP and other groups like the Black Leadership Organization founded by the late Honorable Statesman Woodrow Stanley! The torch of leadership was passed on to his daughter, Jasmine Woodrina Stanley-Mckinney!
I’ve served as the Chairman of the Trustee Board of my local church, and I am very active in the local, state and national CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC.! I have been and currently actively involved and engaged with campaigns from federal to local elections! I’ve been elected as a Democratic Precinct Delegate for many years!
I host the most listened to radio talk show LIVE every Saturday beginning at 9:30 AM on Flint’s premiere gospel radio station WFLT 1420 for nearly 20 years! I will be celebrating my 20th year in broadcasting and media on June 1, 2025!
I attended Flint Stewart Elementary School, Flint Whittier Jr. High School, Flint Southwestern High School, and the University of Michigan-Flint! Currently, I am applying for the Mortuary Science Program at a couple of institutions!
Time nor space will allow me to continue with my involvement and investments in the City of Flint and beyond!
Why is this 3rd Ward seat, specifically, so important to you (despite the length of time it has been taking to fill the seat and the challenges that have occurred)?
3rd Ward residents are very upset about being poisoned from the man-made Flint Water Crisis on April 25, 2014 and have not received one red penny out of over $725 plus Million Dollars that they should have received for their compensation for lost of lives, health issues, cognitive health issues with both adults and children and all other things associated with the Flint Water Crisis dating back to 2014!
The residents of the 3rd Ward and the City of Flint deserve better treatment and are angry about not getting NEW roofs, windows, gutters, sidewalks, porches, steps, water heaters, furnances, in-home plumbing, appliances and the list goes on from ARPA FUNDS sent for the above-mentioned items!
Also, residents of the 3rd Ward and the City of Flint haven’t received of the above-mentioned from the ARPA FUNDS to date! Who’s getting the INTEREST from the millions and millions of dollars? That’s just one of the many questions being asked to me!
Attorneys have been paid well, and the residents want to know, “WHERE IS THE MONEY FROM THE FLINT WATER CRISIS AND THE ARPA FUNDS!” Also BLIGHT, CRIME, PUBLIC SAFETY are hanging around the top that residents are concerned!
The Flint City Council meetings are mentioned in about every conversation with residents! They are ashamed of the Flint City Council and the mayor of the City of Flint according to residents I speak to while campaigning or during general conversations!
How will your votes at Flint City Council meetings help improve the 3rd Ward in the future if you are elected? I’m committed in doing what is just, right and fair! I’m the candidate that adheres to my core beliefs that INTEGRITY, HONESTY, DECORUM, CIVILITY, CHARACTER, FAIRNESS, HONOR, HUMILITY, TRUSTWORTHINESS AND TRUTHFULNESS are needed to have a productive form of government anywhere!
I will not and have not taken any money from SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS or SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS who lead those groups! Neither will I sell my votes or the residents of the 3rd Ward and the City of Flint at any cost! I rather lose with my core beliefs and values intact, then to win with dishonesty and corruption!
Lashawn Johnson – write in candidate
- What have you already done that proves you are passionate about the welfare of your city?
“I’ve always believed that leadership starts with service. Over the years, I’ve organized community cleanups, youth mentorship programs, and neighborhood watch efforts to help restore pride and safety in our community. I’ve worked alongside local nonprofits to provide resources for families in need and have consistently shown up at city meetings to advocate for better infrastructure, stronger public safety measures, and investment in our neighborhoods. Even without a title, I’ve been on the ground doing the work because I love this city and the people in it.”
Why is this 3rd Ward seat, specifically, so important to you (despite the length of time it has been taking to fill the seat and the challenges that have occurred)?
“The 3rd Ward deserves consistent representation, and the lack of a steady voice on council has left our community without an advocate when critical decisions are being made. This seat is personal to me because I live here — I see the challenges daily. I want to make sure our ward has a leader who will fight for better roads, safer neighborhoods, and more opportunities for young people. I know the process to fill this seat has been long and difficult, but I am committed to staying the course because the people of the 3rd Ward deserve nothing less than someone who won’t give up on them.”
How will your votes at Flint City Council meetings help improve the 3rd Ward in the future if you are elected?
“My votes will always reflect the needs and priorities of the people I represent. That means supporting budgets that improve public safety and city services, advocating for investments in infrastructure and blight removal, and ensuring that funding is allocated equitably so the 3rd Ward gets its fair share. I will also push for policies that create job opportunities and youth programs because we need to invest in our people, not just our streets. Every vote I cast will be with the mindset of building a safer, stronger, and more vibrant 3rd Ward.”
Details about the upcoming Third (3rd) Ward Special General Election, including who is able to vote in it, can be found at https://theflintcouriernews.com/special-general-election-to-be-held-august-5-to-fill-3rd-ward-vacancy/
For additional information about the Third (3rd) Ward Special General Election, or for any election-related question, please contact the Flint City Clerk’s Office at (810) 766-7414.
