Eric Mays Biography: Wiki, Wife, Birthday, Nationality, Net Worth

Eric Mays is a name that has been synonymous with Flint politics for decades. He is a councilman, an activist, and a leader who has been fighting for the rights and interests of his community. He is also a controversial figure who has been involved in numerous conflicts, arrests, and lawsuits. He is loved by some, and hated by others, but never ignored by anyone. In this blog post, we will explore his life story, his achievements, his challenges, and his legacy.

Early Life and Education

Eric Mays was born on September 16, 1958, in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in a middle-class Christian family that valued education and hard work. He attended Flint Northern High School, where he was a star athlete and student. He graduated in 1976 and enrolled at the University of Michigan.

At the university, he majored in mechanical engineering and minored in political science. He was active in various student organizations and movements, such as the Black Student Union, the Anti-Apartheid Coalition, and the Student Government. He also developed his skills in public speaking, debating, and organizing. He graduated with honours in 1981.

Career Highlights

After graduating from college, Mays worked as an engineer for General Motors (GM) for 18 years. He was involved in designing and developing various automotive products and systems. He also continued his involvement in politics and activism, joining various groups and causes, such as the NAACP, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the Flint Water Crisis.

In 1999, he left GM to pursue his political career full-time. He ran for various offices, such as state representative, county commissioner, mayor, and city councilman. He faced many obstacles and opposition along the way, but he never gave up on his vision and mission.

In 2013, he won the election for the first ward city council seat by a narrow margin of eight votes over Anita Brown. He became the voice of his constituents, who were mostly low-income and minority residents. He advocated for their needs and concerns, such as water quality, public safety, economic development, and social justice.

He also challenged the authority and accountability of the city administration, the emergency manager, the state government, and the federal government. He often clashed with his fellow council members, the mayor, the police chief, the judge, and the media.

He was also arrested several times for various charges, such as disorderly conduct, impaired driving, obstructing police, pawning city property, and assaulting an officer. He was removed from many council meetings for disrupting the proceedings or violating the rules. He was suspended from his seat for 30 days by a judge for contempt of court.

Despite these controversies and setbacks, he remained popular and loyal to his supporters. He was re-elected to his seat in 2017 and 2021 by large margins. He also ran for mayor in 2015 and 2019 but lost to Karen Weaver and Sheldon Neeley respectively.

Personal Life

Mays was married to Deborah Mays for 25 years until they divorced in 2006. They had two children together: a son named Eric Jr. and a daughter named Erica. Mays was also a grandfather to four grandchildren.

Death

Mays died on April 14th 2023 at the age of 64. He suffered a heart attack while attending a council meeting via Zoom. He collapsed on his chair and was rushed to the hospital but could not be revived. His death was mourned by his family, friends, colleagues, and community.

Legacy and Impact

Mays left behind a legacy of passion, courage, and service in Flint politics. He was widely respected and admired for his dedication, intelligence, and charisma. He had a positive impact on the lives of many people who benefited from his advocacy and leadership. He was also a role model for aspiring politicians who wanted to make a difference in their community.

He will be remembered as a passionate and polarizing politician of Flint.

FAQs

What did Eric Mays do before becoming a councilman?
Before becoming a councilman in 2013, Mays worked as an engineer for General Motors (GM) for 18 years. He was also involved in various political and social groups and movements, such as the NAACP, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the Flint Water Crisis.

How much was Eric Mays’s net worth?
According to some sources, Mays’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million USD at the time of his death. This included his income from his council seat, his pension from GM, and his investments. He also owned a house and a car in Flint.

Who is Eric Mays’s wife?
Mays’s wife was Deborah Mays, whom he married in 1981 and divorced in 2006. They had two children together: a son named Eric Jr. and a daughter named Erica.

What is Eric Mays’s real name?
Mays’s real name was Eric Lee Mays. He did not use any aliases or nicknames in his political career.