Detroit mayor candidates pressed to pick others in lively forum

State of play: Media personality Charlie LeDuff, communications professional Karen Dumas and commentator James David Dickson moderated.

• They offered retorts and asked some non-traditional questions, while topics ranged from working more closely with the school district to city finances to residents feeling they don't have a voice.
• One non-traditional question came from LeDuff, referring to the nonprofit whose CFO was sentenced to prison: "What the hell is the Riverfront Conservancy? Who owns that?"

Candidates participated in two sections: Fred Durhal, Jonathan Barlow, James Craig and Joel Haashiim were first. Then, Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, Todd Perkins and DaNetta Simpson.

The intrigue: In a question that led to interruptions, cheers and boos, moderators asked the candidates which other person on the ballot they would vote for if they weren't running. It took coaxing to get answers, but here they are:

• Haashiim said Barlow.
• Durhal said Jenkins.
• Barlow said Durhal.
• Craig said Haashiim.
• Sheffield said Perkins.
• Jenkins said Perkins.
• Simpson didn't answer.
• Perkins said Jenkins.