Highland Park voters have a choice in the 2026 election: Keep the mayor they have or elect a new one.

Incumbent Glenda McDonald won the August primary election and is seeking another four-year term. Her opponent is community activist and Avalon Village developer Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris.

McDonald says she’s running because she and her team have more work to do.

“There are some things we need to complete, which includes our water infrastructure,” she says.

The State of Michigan gave the city $100 million to replace lead service lines and repair leaks in its aging pipes. Those leaks have been a major reason why Highland Park’s water bills were so high for many years. It’s also why the city once owed millions of dollars to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).

McDonald says securing that money has been her biggest accomplishment so far.

“Children do not have to worry anymore about lead in their water because all of those (lead lines) are being replaced,” she says.

WDET’s Pat Batcheller spoke with the mayor about that and other reasons why she’s running.

To hear the conversation, click the audio player at the top of the post.

Early in the interview, McDonald discussed an on-going dispute with the Great Lakes Water Authority. She said that Highland Park has been overcharged by GLWA by around $1.5 million in Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) cost.

GLWA sent this in response: 

GLWA continues to follow the agreements entered into by the parties in 2024, including Highland Park’s wastewater disposal services contract, which establishes requirements for CSO cost allocation and wastewater treatment services.

The current CSO cost allocation methodology originated in a 1999 rate settlement agreement and has been carried forward through subsequent federal orders and agreements, including contracts with GLWA’s member partner communities.

In response to Highland Park’s concerns, GLWA formed a CSO Cost Pool Task Force, comprised of member partner communities, including Highland Park, to conduct a technical review of the allocation methodology. The Task Force met regularly between March and July 2026 but was unable to reach agreement on a revised methodology.

GLWA disagrees that an adjustment to Highland Park’s charges is appropriate under the existing agreements. While GLWA remains committed to working collaboratively with its member partner communities, including Highland Park, to address concerns related to charges and billing, the parties have agreed to resolve their outstanding disputes through arbitration. GLWA looks forward to a timely and final resolution through that process.

Updated at 3:55 p.m. to include statement by GLWA