 On November 17, 2009, former Downriver Development Authority (DDA) Chairman Joseph Kuspa succeeded Wurmlinger as he was sworn in as Southgate's new mayor.In her earlier years, Wurmlinger served on the Southgate City Council from 1977-1990.From that point on, she served as Mayor of Southgate from 1990–1999 and then returned to the mayor's office in 2005.