Stevie Wonder announces running for mayor of Detroit in 1992 election, but withdraws.

Stevie Wonder is a talented American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, and activist.  Although he was born blind, he was signed under Motown’s label at the young age of 11.

It was on this day, July 8th, in 1988 that Stevie Wonder announced his intention of running for mayor of Detroit in the 1992 election.  Despite his fan support, the singer ended up not following through with his plans to run for office.

Wonder has been active in social causes throughout his career.  His causes range from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation, and the pursuit for Black Civil Rights. He also helped lead the effort to make the birthday of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. into a national holiday. Every year, Wonder holds his Stevie Wonder House Full of Toys Benefit Concert, which raises money to provide toys for children in orphanages, hospitals, and shelters around the country.