Dayne Walling
Dayne Walling (born ) is an American politician who was the mayor of Flint, Michigan from 2009 to 2015. Although the Flint mayor's office is a nonpartisan position, Walling is a member of the Democratic Party. Life Early life and education Walling was born on to two Flint schools educators. In 1992, he graduated from Flint Central High School. Walling then earned a bachelor's degree in social relations from Michigan State University. He attended the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship getting a bachelor's in modern history. He followed that with a master's degree in urban affairs from Goldsmiths, University of London. Public life Walling began his public service career in the mayor's office in Washington, DC. For over two years, he worked as manager of research and communication. During that time, Walling was a founder and president of the Flint Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. Walling had also served as U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee's Field coordinator and worked to get out the vote for National Voice. He then became a policy advocate for Urban Coalition of Minnesota and was a doctoral candidate at University of Minnesota. After an April 2004 Flint forum, Walling decided to move back to Flint to run for mayor. In May 2006, Walling and his family moved to Kensington Avenue in Flint. He worked for one year as a senior research fellow at the Genesee County Land Bank. Political career In the 2007 primary, Walling was one of seven candidates for mayor. Walling made it to the general election along with Don Williamson. Walling received support by the Michigan Democratic Party but lost to Williamson. On August 4, 2009, Walling won the special general mayoral election over Genesee County Commissioner Brenda Clack to replace Williamson after his resignation. One of Mayor Walling's appointments came under scrutiny by the public and city council, after he appointed Donna Poplar as human resource director. Poplar was fired from her job as Genesee County Community Action Agency Director in 1999 and convicted of a felony which was later expunged. David Davenport, a school board member, filed recall language with the county election commission, which approve the language that named cutting fire and police protection as reasons for the recalled. In the third quarter 2010, recall petitions were turned in by the Committee to Recall Dayne Walling were rejected for signature issues. The committee attempted to have those signature reinstated by the courts. On October 26, 2010, the Karegnondi Water Authority Board of Trustees met for the first time with representatives from the incorporating counties and cities. Walling was elected chair. In his bid to be re-elected, Walling came in first in the nonpartisan general primary on August 2, 2011 with Darryl Buchanan taking second to face off with him in the general election in November. On November 8, 2011, Walling defeated Buchanan 8,819 votes (56%) to 6,868 votes (44%). On the date of his re-election, the Michigan State review panel declared the City of Flint to