Livonia’s Mayor Race Is a Game of Thrones

Livonia — While the rest of the state gets much-needed respite from politics, voters in Livonia will bear witness to a local political race that quietly started in late August when a hockey dad filed his paperwork to run for mayor in 2027.

The background context for such an early filing by current Councilman Brandon McCullough is an ongoing political drama that some have deemed a “Game of Thrones,” with current Mayor Maureen Brosnan term-limited and no clear successor primed to take possession of the throne.

McCullough, a self-described Jon Snow, can be more aptly described as Livonia’s Gavin Newsom. Like the soon-to-be former governor of California and expected presidential candidate, McCullough will tell anyone anything they want to hear. A progressive Democrat with intense anti-establishment vibes, he’s made a litany of promises to both disaffected populist leftists and right-wingers who’ve grown angry with the current city administration.

McCullough’s call for change is really about keeping Livonia unchanged and stuck in a past that no longer exists. This NIMBY energy centers around a faction of older residents—mostly working-class pensioners, but not exclusively—upset over economic growth and the development stemming from it, which is seen as altering or erasing the Livonia of their memory.

McCullough, who plays heavily on the “I’m just a dumbass jock” persona, camouflages his sophistication with performative antics that play into a voter demographic driven by that desperate populist desire to get behind a fighter—regardless of what the fight is or who is fighting.

But the King’s Landing of Livonia City Hall is a large court with many others vying for the throne as well, each playing a clever game of their own.

Current Councilwoman Carrie Budzinski, though she hasn’t officially filed, is all but certain to run for mayor according to several sources who’ve leaked her intent. A progressive Democrat, Budzinski has earned the respect of many Livonia conservatives due to tough votes she’s taken in the past few years. More important, Budzinski and McCullough are enemies behind the scenes—both representing different factions of the Livonia Democratic Club. A political fight between the two could get physical.

If McCullough and Budzinski are the two main emerging fighters, a coterie of serious and dangerously effective players is waiting and watching, with whispers and rumors swirling around the mean streets of L-Town.

The rising star of 2026 is City Council President Kayleigh Kavanagh Reid. A no-bullshit operator, she took command of the city council after successfully helming the Livonia Spree. KKR, as some have come to call her, immediately became a serious threat to McCullough’s power from day one of her council term. Word is she may or may not run for mayor in 2027, but serious people watching the game closely have speculated that her future ascension to the fourth floor is a “when, not if.”

Current Councilwoman Martha Ptashnik plays her cards close to the vest, as one would expect for someone with her experience. Generally considered one of the shrewdest operators in Livonia, she’s a contender on everyone’s list for 2027. A teacher at Livonia Churchill with retirement looming, she’ll have the time and energy to put up a hard fight for the mayor’s office—if she decides to go for it.

Livonia attorney Robin Persiconi is a tough broad built for political combat. A Stevenson mom and a business owner, she ascended to the City Council in a bipartisan campaign that saw her pull support from every faction of Livonia. A possible player in this game who may entertain the notion of running for mayor, she likely has her ambition focused elsewhere.

Livonia Chamber of Commerce President Dan West is also a major player in this game. Although his self-effacing demeanor and humble manner keep him off the political radar for most Livonians, his mere presence in a mayoral race, should he decide to jump in, would alter the tactics and strategy of everyone on the field. Likely not a contender in this go-around, the time will come when he decides it’s time to play.

Former Livonia City Council President Kathleen McIntyre has found a role in advising and working behind the scenes in Livonia politics. Loud on social media but silent and stealthy offline, McIntyre has become an elder stateswoman of the city and an ally of many of her former opponents on bipartisan efforts such as the Renew Livonia Initiative. Does she have one more run in her? Does she even want the throne?

Former Director of Governmental Affairs, and current Director of Communications for the city of Westland, Robb Drzewicki is a political ninja adept at being near every political issue but cleverly out of view. Nicknamed “The Accountant” by friends for his ability, like Ben Affleck in the film of the same name, to hide in every event photograph, Drzewicki enjoys a lack of political ambition but is often asked to run for various political positions. He’s unlikely to run, but he’s carrying enough IOUs to make a formidable candidate should he make his move.

Former Councilman Rob Donovic is a player in any political game happening in Livonia and, due to his gregarious personality, is well-liked by many Democrats. A dude’s dude, he’s a potential candidate for mayor but certainly a candidate for City Council. A young conservative with a sharp grasp of politics, he is probably the only Livonian with the ability to successfully wage social media warfare against McCullough week to week, day by day, hour by hour.

More interesting for insiders is the name Tamera Oliverio. A Churchill mom working in public relations, she has little name recognition with the general public but is considered by many in the game to have the most sophisticated political mind in the city. A dangerous adversary if activated, she would likely enter the race as a spoiler and is one of very few in Livonia who can strike the fear of God into McCullough.

A dark horse candidate whose name gets regularly mentioned is former Councilwoman and former mayoral candidate Laura Toy. Although unlikely to run due to age and health, she enjoys good name recognition with senior women in the city. Toy is a close associate of Brandon McCullough, I’m told, and her entering the race would severely harm his support base. Her last hurrah on the council ended in controversy: Does she want to polish her name with one last go at the throne?

My Local Pod co-host and the writer of the most popular newsletter in Livonia, former Council Vice President Scott Bahr, although he hasn’t spoken publicly about running, is always at the top of any candidate list for mayor. Bahr, while retaining his youthful appearance, has himself become a statesman of the city and a voice that, unlike my own, many listen to for guidance. Principled and reflective, Bahr openly speaks thoughtfully of his own mistakes and missteps as a politician as a means to educate his readers and listeners. A Bahr mayoral candidacy leaves me torn. For the good of Livonia I’d staunchly support my dear friend, but I’d selfishly rather he stay on the Local Pod with me.

I’m personally watching Susan Nash. The current city treasurer and the widow of a beloved prominent Livonian, Susan has won several elections and would garner easy support from long-time residents. Not very active in social media campaigning, she’d have to modernize her approach to fight against the other players, but she’s serious and one worth keeping an eye on.

Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki is a career civil servant at all levels, but could she be wanting the next level? Utterly likable, she’s developed enough goodwill to be the only Republican elected in Wayne County. With crossover support unheard of in today’s political climate, her mere presence in a mayoral race could be a game-changer causing diapers to blow out.

Then there’s Steve King.

Anyway, the game is now set. The players are all named. Who will make the next move toward the throne? But wait. A voice inside City Hall whispered these words to me only a few days ago:

“One more player may yet emerge. Somebody nobody can see coming.”

The race to claim the fourth floor of City Hall will be different from years past. This will be harder fought, with more emotion and anger spilling out on social media and offline than ever before.

One last question remains yet unanswered: Who is the player who stirs up trouble for the entertainment of it? Playing all the sides against each other to see who crashes out? Cleverly watching the chaos from the deep back row? A player in the game with no intention of winning the throne, but only to keep playing for the sake of the game, because it’s devilishly fun.

Who is Livonia’s Littlefinger?