James R. Fouts

Fouts grew up in Hazel Park, Michigan, where his father served as the city assessor, and later as city manager. Prior to election to public office, he spent his career as an educator, teaching government, political science, and psychology in the Warren Consolidated School District. His last teaching position was at Sterling Heights High School, where he taught for about ten years.{{Cite news |last=Hedgpeth |first=Dana |date=2009-05-27 |title=Mich. Suburb Tries to Woo GM to Leave Detroit |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/26/AR2009052603151.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In 1976, Fouts ran as a Republican for the Michigan state house of representatives in the 70th District.{{Cite web |title=Index to Politicians: Foston to Fowle |url=https://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/fouch-fowle.html#FOUTS |website=Political Graveyard}} Fouts was elected to the Warren City Council in 1981,{{cite news|url=http://www.macombdaily.com/article/MD/20071107/NEWS01/311079997|title=Fouts in a rout|first=Frank|last=DeFrank|date=November 7, 2007|work=The Macomb Daily|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113220310/http://www.macombdaily.com/article/MD/20071107/NEWS01/311079997|url-status=dead}} where he served for 26 years as a Democrat.{{cite news |last=Franz |first=Norb |date=September 24, 2012 |title=Warren to revisit proposed smoking ban outside city buildings |work=Royal Oak Tribune |url=https://www.dailytribune.com/2012/09/24/warren-to-revisit-proposed-smoking-ban-outside-city-buildings/ |access-date=February 2, 2014}} During his tenure, he initiated several anti-tobacco proposals.

In 2007, Mark Steenbergh had reached the term limit as mayor of Warren and did not seek re-election. Fouts ran against City Clerk Richard Sulaka for the open seat and won 62% to 38%. In the 2007 campaign, finance reports show that Sulaka outspent Fouts $332,000{{cite web|url=http://campaignfinance.macombcountymi.gov/IndexedDocs/48295467.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044911/http://campaignfinance.macombcountymi.gov/IndexedDocs/48295467.PDF|title=Candidate Committee Cover Page|archive-date=July 21, 2011}} to $225,000.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044658/http://campaignfinance.macombcountymi.gov/IndexedDocs/48304116.PDF|url=http://campaignfinance.macombcountymi.gov/IndexedDocs/48304116.PDF|title=Candidate Committee Cover Page|archive-date=July 21, 2011}} Sulaka described Fouts as a "maverick" and attributed his victory to voters seeking an alternative to the previous administration. The election also saw Warren citizens electing a new clerk, new treasurer, and a majority of new council members.

His enforcement of local building codes led to the demolition of dilapidated buildings and the promotion of neighborhood "clean sweeps" by city inspectors and was touted as a model for other mayors.{{cite news|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130516/NEWS04/305160144/blight-crackdown-Warren|title=Warren's crackdown on blight seen as model for other communities|last=Christina Hall|date=May 16, 2013|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=2 February 2014}}

In response to the challenges facing the automotive industry, an industry which employs many Warren residents, he initiated a "Buy American Products" policy for automotive purchases by heads of city departments.{{Cite web |date=2008-09-12 |title=Buy American or Get Out? |url=http://autos.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/34/Buy_American_or_Get_Out.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224023839/http://autos.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/34/Buy_American_or_Get_Out.html |archive-date=2015-02-24 |website=The New York Times}}

In 2009, Fouts tried to convince General Motors to relocate its headquarters from Detroit to Warren.{{cite news|author=Dana Hedgpeth | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/26/AR2009052603151_2.html?sid=ST2009052700061&noredirect=on |title=Mich. Suburb Tries to Woo GM to Leave Detroit |date=May 27, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=3 June 2021}}

His 2011 re-election campaign was endorsed by the Detroit Free Press who said the campaign had become "way too focused on legal battles over Fouts' age"{{cite news |date=October 28, 2011 |title=Editorial: Warren Mayor Fouts has led city well, deserves re-election |work=Detroit Free Press |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20111028/OPINION01/110280330/Editorial-Warren-Mayor-Fouts-has-led-city-well-deserves-re-election |url-status=dead |access-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030153425/http://www.freep.com/article/20111028/OPINION01/110280330/Editorial-Warren-Mayor-Fouts-has-led-city-well-deserves-re-election |archive-date=2011-10-30}} which became an issue when his opponents filed suit to remove him from the ballot because he had refused to place his age on the candidacy form.{{cite web|url=http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/macomb-county/appeals-court-rules-fouts-doesn-t-have-to-disclose-his-age-to-be-on-ballot|title=Associated Press, "Appeals Court Rules Fouts Doesn't Have to Disclose His Age to Be on Ballot," ABC Action News, June 10, 2011|access-date=February 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224020834/http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/macomb-county/appeals-court-rules-fouts-doesn-t-have-to-disclose-his-age-to-be-on-ballot|archive-date=February 24, 2015|url-status=dead}} He won the lawsuit and the election with more than 80% of the vote against City Councilwoman Kathy Vogt.{{cite news |last=Oosting |first=Jonathan |date=November 9, 2011 |title=Macomb County election results: Jim Fouts' win for the ages, Warren Council President out |work=MLive |publisher= |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2011/11/macomb_county_election_results_4.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423173230/https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2011/11/macomb_county_election_results_4.html |archive-date=April 23, 2021}}

In 2012, he acted to ban smoking within 100 feet of any city building without legislative approval, but the court said he did not have the authority and had the "No Smoking" signs removed. Fouts brought the measure back to the city council, after they had tabled it in September.

In July 2014, Fouts personally denied permission to establish an irreligious "Reason Booth" at Warren City Hall, as a counterpoint to a "Prayer Booth" that was established in the city hall's atrium by a local Pentecostal church in 2009.{{cite news |last=Watson |first=Ursula |date=2014-07-23 |title=Warren sued for refusing anti-religion display at city hall |work=The Detroit News |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140723/METRO03/307230087/0/METRO/Warren-sued-refusing-anti-religion-display-city-hall |url-status=dead |access-date=2014-07-29 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140805085511/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140723/METRO03/307230087/0/METRO/Warren-sued-refusing-anti-religion-display-city-hall |archive-date=2014-08-05}}{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Gus |date=2015-03-06 |title=Warren must pay $100,000 for denying atheist 'reason station' next to Christian 'prayer station' in City Hall |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2015/03/warren_must_pay_100000_for_den.html |access-date= |website=MLive |language=en}} The resident denied permission, Douglas Marshall, filed a federal lawsuit against both the city and Fouts. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Freedom From Religion Foundation, Marshall's lawsuit was based on the First Amendment rights to free speech and a violation of the Establishment Clause.{{cite news |last=Ashtari |first=Shadee |date=24 July 2014 |title=Mayor Sued By ACLU Compares Atheist Near Prayer Group To KKK At MLK Event |work=The Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/24/jim-fouts-atheist-lawsuit_n_5617761.html}} The defendants failed to respond to the lawsuit, and in 2015 the federal court ordered that the reason station "be allowed to operate on terms not less favorable than the terms granted to the 'Prayer Station' currently allowed in the atrium space" and entered a $100,000 judgment against the city and Fouts for costs, damages and attorney fees.

In 2014, Fouts sued to invalidate 2014 Proposal 1, a voter-approved referendum that eliminated the Michigan personal property tax for businesses (which applies to industrial machinery and office equipment) and replaced it with an Internet sales tax. Fouts alleged that the ballot wording was biased.{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Ursula |date=2014-08-07 |title=Warren mayor plans lawsuit to block voter-approved Proposal 1 |work=The Detroit News |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/POLITICS01/308070109/0/politics/Warren-mayor-plans-lawsuit-block-voter-backed-Proposal-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808070420/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/POLITICS01/308070109/0/politics/Warren-mayor-plans-lawsuit-block-voter-backed-Proposal-1 |archive-date=2014-08-08}}{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Ursula |date=2014-12-31 |title=Fouts appeals ruling on machinery tax |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2014/12/31/warren-mayor-appeals-tax-ballot-issue-ruling/21123311/ |website=The Detroit News}} The Michigan Court of Claims declined to invalidate the ballot initiative, and Fouts ultimately dropped an appeal.{{cite web |last=Franz |first=Norb |date=2014-12-11 |title=Judge tosses out Warren Mayor Fouts' lawsuit seeking to invalidate Proposal 1 |url=http://www.macombdaily.com/government-and-politics/20141211/judge-tosses-out-warren-mayor-fouts-lawsuit-seeking-to-invalidate-proposal-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101201306/http://www.macombdaily.com/government-and-politics/20141211/judge-tosses-out-warren-mayor-fouts-lawsuit-seeking-to-invalidate-proposal-1 |archive-date=2015-01-01 |access-date=2015-01-01 |website=The Macomb Daily}}{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Christina |date=2015-01-16 |title=Warren mayor to drop legal fight against Proposal 1 |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2015/01/16/warren-mayor-fouts-withdraw-appeal-prop-personal-property-tax/21886145/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}

In March 2016, Fouts claimed that he was asked by security at the Democratic presidential debate in Flint to refrain from showing excessive enthusiasm for Bernie Sanders, and that he was threatened with ejection.{{Cite web |last=Baldas |first=Tresa |title=Warren mayor: I was shushed, almost kicked out of debate |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/03/08/warren-mayor-jim-fouts-hillary-clinton-detroit-democratic-debate/81498228/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/michigan-mayor-security-threatened-to-kick-me-out-of-debate|title=Michigan Mayor: Security Threatened To Kick Me Out Of Debate For Vocal Bernie Support|website=BuzzFeed|date=8 March 2016 }}

Fouts won a third term in November 2015, carrying 85% of the vote.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=November 3, 2015 |title=Warren Mayor James Fouts wins third term |work=The Detroit News |publisher=Gannett |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/elections/macomb-county/2015/11/03/macomb-county-local-elections/75130672/ |access-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514045556/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/elections/macomb-county/2015/11/03/macomb-county-local-elections/75130672/ |archive-date=May 14, 2016}}

In November 2016, Fouts accused Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel of a coverup of illegal dumping.{{Cite web |last=Steckroth |first=John |date=30 November 2016 |title=Warren Mayor Jim Fouts defends himself in scathing letter to Mark Hackel |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2016/11/30/warren-mayor-jim-fouts-defends-himself-in-scathing-letter-to-mark-hackel/ |website=ClickOnDetroit}} In response, Hackel provided a series of audio recordings to the media, that he claimed to have received from unidentified sources, allegedly of Fouts making derogatory comments. Fouts claimed that the recordings were manufactured and manipulated.{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Amy B. |date=2017-01-17 |title=A mayor denies it's his voice on lewd, racist tapes. His colleagues say 'resign.' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/01/17/a-mayor-denies-its-his-voice-on-lewd-racist-tapes-his-colleagues-say-resign/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118040439/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/01/17/a-mayor-denies-its-his-voice-on-lewd-racist-tapes-his-colleagues-say-resign/ |archive-date=2017-01-18 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} These led to calls for Fouts's resignation. In a post on Facebook, Fouts declared his intention to remain in office through to the end of his term in 2019;{{cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2017/01/17/warren-mayor-fouts-recordings-resign/96686340/ |publisher=Detroit Free Press |title=Warren Mayor Jim Fouts balks at calls to quit over alleged comments |first1=Christina |last1=Hall |first2=Matt |last2=Helms |date=January 17, 2017 |quote="There is tremendous effort to force me out immediately by slander, by character assassination, lies, and by out right condemnation of me. This is an attempt to reverse the 2015 election results when I won with 85% of the vote. I won with 81% in 2011. This is despite solid evidence that I did nothing wrong whatsoever. My actions as mayor have been inclusive and no one can deny that. We are the best run city in the state when it comes to police, fire, and fund balance. I will not resign," according to Fouts' Facebook post. "I will be here through at least 2019 as the people wanted me to. I will not capitulate to a rush to judgement by those who wish to take over city hall and hijack the 2015 election." |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118043704/http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2017/01/17/warren-mayor-fouts-recordings-resign/96686340/ |archive-date=January 18, 2017}} he would go on to be reelected to a fourth term later that year, with 57.5% of the vote.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Christina |date=2019-11-05 |title=Jim Fouts wins fourth term as Warren mayor, defeating councilwoman Kelly Colegio |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2019/11/05/warren-mayor-fouts-trailing-opponent-early-voting-results/4168206002/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}

In late 2017, amid the heroin epidemic, Fouts and Warren Police Commissioner Jim Dwyer created a program to offer rewards to residents of the city who give confidential tips to police informing on suspected drug deals.{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Robert |date=2017-10-04 |title=Warren offers $500 to residents who snitch on drug dealers |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2017/10/04/warren-drugs-heroin-reward-police/731530001/ |website=Detroit Free Press}}{{cite web |last=Spencer |first=Dave |date=2017-10-04 |title=City of Warren will pay $500 for tips on drug dealers |url=http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/city-of-warren-will-pay-500-for-tips-on-drug-dealers |website=FOX 2 Detroit}}

In April 2020, Fouts directed the Warren Police to not enforce the provision of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's executive order on COVID-19 banning commercial lawn services. Fouts stated the lack of lawn maintenance would lead to higher numbers of mosquitoes and rodents and be a health hazard and that it is an essential service.{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=George |date=2020-04-15 |title=Some Metro Detroit communities refusing to enforce Whitmer's lawn care ban |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2020/04/15/metro-detroit-communities-refusing-to-enforce-whitmers-lawn-care-ban/5136160002/ |website=The Detroit News}}{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Miriam |date=2020-04-10 |title=Yes, you can mow your lawn under Gov. Whitmer's executive order |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/04/10/coronavirus-covid-19-lawn-mowing-allowed/5133867002/ |website=Detroit Free Press}}

In January 2023, Fouts filed paperwork to run for a fifth term as mayor in the November 2023 election, despite voters passing a charter amendment in 2020 establishing a three-term limit for the office of mayor.{{Cite web |title=Warren Mayor Fouts seeks fifth term, vows to keep battling council |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/02/06/warren-mayor-fouts-seeks-fifth-term-vows-to-keep-battling-council/69875304007/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} The city's election clerk approved his candidacy, and was promptly sued by the City Council. Fouts claimed to have been grandfathered in, having been elected to all four terms before the amendment passed; a Macomb County judge sided with Fouts in March.{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Kayla |date=2023-03-24 |title=Warren Mayor Jim Fouts can run for a fifth term, judge rules |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/politics/2023/03/24/warren-mayor-jim-fouts-can-run-for-a-fifth-term-judge-rules/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=WDIV |language=en}} The decision was overturned by the Michigan Court of Appeals in April, and the clerk was ordered to disqualify Fouts.{{Cite web |last=Nichols |first=Anna Liz |date=2023-04-21 |title=Court of Appeals: Mayor Jim Fouts ineligible for reelection |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/04/21/warren-mayor-jim-fouts-cant-run-again-michigan-court-of-appeals-says/70138947007/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=The Detroit News |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}

Fouts rejoined the Democratic Party in 2024, and that April, he filed to run in the Democratic primary for Michigan's redrawn 14th House of Representatives district, challenging incumbent Representative Mike McFall. McFall defeated Fouts, 71% to 29%.{{Cite web |last=Hotts |first=Mitch |date=2024-08-07 |title=Hazel Park’s Mike McFall easily defeats former Warren mayor in House primary |url=https://www.dailytribune.com/2024/08/07/hazel-parks-mcfall-easily-defeats-former-warren-mayor-in-house-primary/ |access-date= |website=The Royal Oak Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2024-08-06 |title=Michigan Primary Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/08/06/us/elections/results-michigan-primary.html |access-date=2024-08-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Fouts won his re-election to the City's Mayoral office over challenger Kelly Colegio.

{{Election box begin no change | title=Warren City Mayoral Election Results, 2019{{cite web|title=Macomb County Election Results|url=https://clerk.macombgov.org/sites/default/files/content/government/clerk/electionresults/2019/November19/28.html|website=Macomb Clerk|access-date=July 28, 2023}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|

|party = N/A

|candidate = James R. Fouts

|votes = 13,772

|percentage = 57.5

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party = N/A

|candidate = Kelly Colegio

|votes = 10,191

|percentage = 42.5

}}

{{Election box total no change|

|votes = 24,233

|percentage = 100

|change = {{Increase}} 9,649

}}

{{Election box end}}

Fouts won his re-election to the City's Mayoral office by an extremely large margin over challenger Karen Spranger.

{{Election box begin no change | title=Warren City Mayoral Election Results, 2015{{cite web|title=Macomb County Election Results|url=https://clerk.macombgov.org/sites/default/files/content/government/clerk/electionresults/2015/Nov/219.html|website=Macomb Clerk|access-date=July 28, 2023}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|

|party = N/A

|candidate = James R. Fouts

|votes = 12,159

|percentage = 84.7

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party = N/A

|candidate = Karen Spranger

|votes = 2,197

|percentage = 15.3

}}

{{Election box total no change|

|votes = 14,584

|percentage = 100

|change = {{Decrease}} 8,407

}}

{{Election box end}}

Fouts won his re-election to the City's Mayoral office by an extremely large margin over challenger Kathy J. Vogt.

{{Election box begin no change | title=Warren City Mayoral Election Results, 2011{{cite web|title=Macomb County Election Results|url=https://clerk.macombgov.org/sites/default/files/content/government/clerk/pdfs/electionresults/macomb_county_election_results_november_8_2011.pdf|website=Macomb Clerk|access-date=July 28, 2023}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|

|party = N/A

|candidate = James R. Fouts

|votes = 18,215

|percentage = 80.7

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party = N/A

|candidate = Kathy J. Vogt

|votes = 4,364

|percentage = 19.3

}}

{{Election box total no change|

|votes = 22,991

|percentage = 100

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

The Macomb Clerk's website does not have election results for Fouts' first election.

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Category:1942 births

Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of Warren, Michigan

Category:Michigan city council members

Category:People from Hazel Park, Michigan

Category:Educators from Michigan

Category:20th-century Michigan politicians

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Michigan