Flint City Councilman Eric Mays dies

FLINT, MI – Longtime Flint City Councilman Eric Mays has died, the city announced late Saturday, Feb. 24.

“This is a tremendous loss for our community and a shock to all friends and family,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a statement. “As our community grieves during this difficult time, on behalf of Councilman Mays’ family, we ask that community members respect their privacy and allow them time and space to mourn. We continue to lift the family in prayer.”

Mays, 65, who was serving his third term on Flint’s city council representing the city’s 1st Ward, was known for his outgoing behavior and clashes with other city councilmembers.

Mays had garnered national attention, with videos of his antics going viral on many occasions and had helped him collect more than 200,000 followers on the social media platform TikTok.

However, Mays remained popular in his ward, with voters re-electing him three times.

He was first elected to his council seat in 2013, winning that election by just eight votes over candidate Anita Brown.

Four years later, he defeated Brown again by a much wider margin -- 1,404 to 580.

Mays was re-elected to his latest term in November 2021.

Related: Eric Mays re-elected as Flint 1st Ward councilman

The 1st Ward is located on Flint’s far north side, roughly bounded by Clio Road on the west, Carpenter Road on the north, Person Road on the south, and Saginaw Street on the east.

The city said late Saturday that the flag at Flint City Hall will be lowered to half-staff in Mays’ honor beginning Monday, Feb. 26.