Zachary Ackerman - Ann Arbor

Zachary Ackerman was a member of the Ann Arbor City Council, representing Ward 3.

Ackerman was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council on Nov. 3, 2015 while still a student at the University of Michigan. He was unopposed in the 2015 general election, gaining 730 votes (90.68%). In the Democratic primary on Aug. 4, 2015, Ackerman defeated incumbent Democrat Stephen Kunselman, who was running for re-election. He worked on Christopher Taylor's successful 2014 mayoral campaign, as well as Congressional campaigns for Debbie Dingell and Pam Byrnes. As part of his duties on Council, Ackerman served as a planning commissioner, promoting affordable housing.

Photo taken from CTN coverage of 2018 public meeting

Ackerman lived in Ann Arbor since he was 8 years old, attending Burns Park Elementary School, Tappan Middle School and Pioneer High School. His father, Mark Ackerman, is the George Herbert Mead Collegiate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the School of Information and the College of Engineering. His mother, Erica Ackerman, is a web developer and active member of the Ann Arbor Democratic Party.

Ackerman worked for Denison Consulting, an Ann Arbor-based, global management consulting firm. He previously worked for Nutshell, a local tech start-up, and STAND, a DC- and London-based human rights organization, which advocates for civilian protection in warzones and the prevention of ethnic-based mass atrocities.

His campaign website states that he volunteered on his first political campaign at the age of 13.

Timeline: Zach Ackerman

Oct. 11, 2024: Receives settlement from City of Ann Arbor. Ackerman had been offered a leadership position with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission. However, the offer was rescinded due to internal misalignment over hiring hybrid employees.
Aug. 17, 2020: Co-sponsors resolution to acquire Lurie Terrace to preserve affordable housing for local seniors.
Mar. 18, 2020: Introduces resolutions to explore the development of affordable housing on multiple City-owned properties.
Mar. 18, 2020: Introduces ordinance to increase the utility of the Downtown Affordable Housing Premium. Ordinance approved in subsequent meeting.
Feb. 13, 2020: Announces that he will no seek re-election to a third therm. Ackerman endorses Travis Radina.
Jun. 16, 2019: Co-sponsors resolution to purchase 1146 S. Maple to support Avalon Housing's affordable housing project.
Jan. 2, 2019: Is arrested for drinking and driving. Ackerman's blood alcohol level, tested at the station, measured 0.20%. He was sentenced to one year probation after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of operating while ability impaired.
Nov. 7, 2017: Is re-elected to Ann Arbor City Council for Ward 3. Ackerman is unopposed on the ballot and received 2376 votes (91.81%)
Aug. 8, 2017: In the Ward 3 city council race, Ackerman receives 1283 votes (54%), to challenger Stephen Kunselman's 1098 (46%), winning the Democratic Party nomination.
Nov. 3, 2015: Is elected to Ann Arbor City Council for Ward 3. Ackerman is unopposed on the ballot and received 730 votes (90.68%)
Aug. 4, 2015: In the Ward 3 city council race, Ackerman receives 947 votes (51%), to incumbent Stephen Kunselman's 907 (48.9%), winning the Democratic Party nomination..
June 13, 2015: Participates in Ann Arbor Democratic Party candidate forum, along with Ward 3 incumbent Stephen Kunselman.
April 15, 2015: Participates in the Ford School's candidate debate.
Feb. 24, 2015: Formalizes intent to seek election to represent Ward 3 on the Ann Arbor City Council by taking out petitions to seek the nomination of the Democratic Party in the Aug. 4, 2015 primary election.
February 2015: Announces intent to become a candidate for the Ward 3 Ann Arbor City Council, running in the August Democratic primary. He will be facing incumbent Democrat Stephen Kunselman, who is running for re-election.
January 2015: Starts serving as vice chair for legislative engagement on the Ann Arbor Democratic Party.
January 2015: Resumes work as senior computing consultant for UM's Information & Technology Services (ITS).
August 2014-January 2015: Works as deputy field director for Debbie Dingell's Congressional campaign, and serves as special assistant for transition after she was elected in November.
June 2014: Begins working as national outreach coordinator for STAND, a Washington D.C.-based human rights advocacy group.
May-August 2014: Works as field director for Christopher Taylor's mayoral campaign in the Democratic primary. Taylor prevailed in a four-way primary race and went on to win the November general election, defeating independent candidate Bryan Kelly.
2013-2014: Works as intern for Democrat Pam Byrnes' unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Congress.
2013-2014: Works as a coach at the Washtenaw Rowing Center.
2012-2014: Works as senior computing consultant for UM's Information & Technology Services (ITS).
2011-2015: Studies political science and history at the University of Michigan.