The Associated Press declared City Council President Mary Sheffield as one of the two leading vote getters who will move on to the November 4 general election.
The top two vote-getters in the crowded mayoral race will face off in the general election this November, and the winner will be the first new mayor since Mike Duggan took office in 2014.
With 72% of the precincts reporting and with 52.0% of the vote (32,525 ballots cast in her favor), Sheffield finished the evening far ahead of a crowded field of nine candidates. Senior pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. of Triumph Church was in second with 10,832 votes (17.3%), while former City Council president Saunteel Jenkins was in third with 9,163 votes (14.7%).
With over half of the vote counted, Sheffield has secured her place on the November ballot in the race to become Detroit’s next mayor — a contest that now carries the potential to elect the city’s first Black woman to its highest office.
The general election in November will decide the city’s first new mayor since Mike Duggan took office more than a decade ago. Duggan, who chose not to seek reelection, leaves behind an open seat that has attracted seasoned public officials, community leaders, and political newcomers alike.
Sheffield entered the race early and maintained front-runner status throughout the campaign. Her lead in Tuesday’s results reflects both name recognition and policy experience built over her tenure on City Council, where she currently serves as president. She was first elected in 2013 at age 26, becoming the youngest woman ever to serve on the council.
Should she win in November, Sheffield would become the first woman elected mayor in Detroit’s 324-year history — and the first Black woman to lead the city. Her campaign has focused on neighborhood reinvestment, land justice, and equitable economic growth, themes she has championed during her time chairing the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Her presence on the ballot represents a tangible shift in how leadership is defined in a majority-Black city where gender has remained a persistent barrier to executive office.
Detroiters had no shortage of choices this cycle. Beyond Sheffield, Kinloch, and Jenkins, the ballot included former police chief James Craig (3,553 votes, 5.7%), defense attorney Todd Perkins (3,188 votes, 5.1%), and Councilmember Fred Durhal III (2,018 votes, 3.2%). Write-in campaigns and low-polling candidates like John Barlow (506 votes), DaNetta Simpson (449 votes), and Joel Haashiim (264 votes) also appeared on the ballot, reflecting the wide interest in the mayor’s seat and the urgency felt by residents across the city’s districts.
The top two vote-getters from the nonpartisan primary will move forward to November. The winner of that election will be tasked with steering Detroit through the next phase of post-bankruptcy recovery, addressing major concerns around public safety, housing affordability, and economic inclusion.
Kinloch, who announced his candidacy in February, is best known for leading one of the city’s largest congregations. His entry into the political arena energized a segment of Detroiters who view his spiritual leadership and community presence as a foundation for civic governance. His campaign has emphasized public trust, economic mobility, and family support systems — core issues for a city still grappling with systemic disinvestment and intergenerational poverty.
Sheffield, by contrast, has built her political platform over a decade of public service, leveraging policy and legislation to deliver results. Her office has pushed for community benefit agreements tied to development deals, called for reparations task forces, and advocated for expanding affordable housing requirements citywide. She’s also been vocal about the need for more transparency in how city funds — including federal ARPA dollars — are spent.
This election arrives during a year of major transition for the Detroit government. Every City Council seat is up for grabs following redistricting, and voters will also select a new city clerk and seven members of the Board of Police Commissioners. The November ballot represents one of the most sweeping municipal election cycles in recent memory — a chance for residents to reset priorities and demand accountability from the ground up.
Fred Durhal III, current city council member and former State Representative for Michigan’s 10th District, approached the race with a focus on business alignment and economic development. His campaign secured a key endorsement from the Detroit Regional Chamber, signaling direct engagement with Detroit’s business community. The Chamber’s support placed Durhal within a coalition of developers, employers, and institutional funders focused on long-term investment and urban growth. Durhal concentrated his messaging on fiscal management, workforce readiness, and large-scale infrastructure partnerships. His legislative experience and policy knowledge positioned him as a pragmatic option for voters looking for continuity with business and economic frameworks, though he ultimately placed fifth in the primary.
While Sheffield has consistently led in polling and political endorsements, Kinloch’s second-place finish ensures that November will feature a high-stakes match-up between two distinct visions for Detroit’s future — both shaped by Black leadership and local legacy. The city’s voter base will determine whether it leans toward institutional experience or pastoral stewardship as its next guiding force.
This year’s election also brings renewed focus to voter turnout and civic participation. Although Tuesday’s primary drew moderate engagement, Detroit officials and community leaders have stressed that the stakes in November require a broader base of voters — especially younger residents, renters, and working-class families — to participate in reshaping City Hall’s direction.
As of press time on Tuesday, August 5, the Michigan Chronicle reported that Mary Sheffield was leading the pack with Kinloch in second, Jenkins in third, followed by James Craig in fourth and Todd Perkins rounding out the top five. The Associated Press declared Sheffield as one of the two advancing candidates after results confirmed her decisive lead.
Whether or not Detroit will elect its first Black woman mayor remains to be seen. But Sheffield’s advancement signals a serious possibility — one that reflects decades of community organizing, shifts in gender and racial politics, and the rising power of women of color in municipal leadership.
The path to November is clear. What remains uncertain is how Detroit will respond to this moment. Either way, the weight of history now rests with the people.
