2 More Hats In The Race For Wayne County Exec As Ficano, Evans Announce Bid

DETROIT (WWJ) - Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano wants four more years. He officially announced his re-election bid Monday, and would be serving a fourth term if re-elected.

Another well-known name has entered the race for county executive former Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans. Evans made it official just before Ficano announced his plans to run again.

Ficano is facing some large hurdles which include a $175 million budget deficit, under funded pensions and retiree health care plans, along with the fact that some of his staffers are in prison on corruption conviction.

There is also the failed jail project, following cost overruns, which Ficano addressed:

"My administration said we are going to make sure that we are going to hold to that price and 'no,' stop the project, we know it took more courage to do that and say we are going to bring litigation. And that is exactly what we have done," said Ficano.

On the plus side, Ficano said during his time in office the Cobo expansion project which he says helped cement the return of the North American International Auto Show, along with the return of automotive jobs in Wayne County.

County Commissioner Kevin McNamara and Westland Mayor William Wild have already filed to run for the office.