High profile Democrats from Detroit and across the state came to the MGM Detroit Tuesday night to celebrate Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield’s landslide win.
Her 77% victory over Triumph pastor the Rev. Solomon Kinloch is a historic margin in a Detroit mayors race, her campaign said Tuesday. She called the victory a mandate from voters.
Business owners, rappers and politicians joined supporters at the watch party Sheffield’s campaign threw Tuesday night at the MGM Detroit.
Political figures included the chair of the Michigan state party, two Democrats running for Michigan governor and U.S. Senate, a Michigan Supreme Court justice, a suburban county executive, plus candidates for secretary of state and attorney general.
Sheffield invited supporters and the media to watch her vote in Lafayette Park, where national pundit and author Michael Eric Dyson said Sheffield is among the next generation of Democratic Party leaders across the country.
Some Democratic Party insiders in Michigan say they view Sheffield as a political power broker.
Here’s who we saw take part in the historic night:
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden
Harris’ presence is notable given her and Sheffield were both elected as the first Black women to be elected, in Bolden’s case to the Michigan Supreme Court.
In 2023, Kyra Harris Bolden was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court, then elected in 2024.
Harris Bolden is the first Black woman to ever serve on the state’s High court.
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit
Hollier told Michigan Chronicle his seven-year-old daughter was excited to see a woman who she could see herself in be elected to Detroit’s highest office.
Hollier was running to unseat Shri Thanedar in Congress before he decided to pursue the state’s opening Secretary of State seat.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who posted a photo backstage with Sheffield at the event Tuesday night, is running for Michigan governor.
“Mary’s leadership in Detroit and commitment to our community is inspiring,” Benson said in a post to social media. “Today, she’s made history and opened the door for so many others to follow.”
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak
McMorrow told Michigan Chronicle she came to see history.
“Team McMorrow all smiles watching history happen in Detroit tonight,” she posted on social media.
McMorrow is running against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed, who was also in attendance Tuesday night.
Former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed
Abdul El-Sayed told Michigan Chronicle Tuesday at Sheffield’s event he was impressed by her campaign’s ability to connect with everyday residents.
“I first met Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield when she was a first term City Councilwoman and I was Detroit’s Health Director,” he said in a post to social media. “She was smart, hard working, and tenacious for the People. It’s no surprise that she built a campaign on those very same principles—and that she captured the hearts of Detroiters in the process.”
“She will serve as Detroit’s first female Mayor. And she’ll be a damn good one,” he said.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit
Savit, who is running for attorney general, along with Hollier and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, called Sheffield’s campaign inspiring.
Savit is a progressive who has vowed against taking corporate PAC dollars during his campaign to be nominated by delegates at the Michigan Democratic Party convention on April 19, 2026.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and deputy executive John Rea were in attendance at the watch party where supporters celebrated Sheffield’s victory.
Hackel was floated as a potential Democratic candidate for governor before casting doubt on the prospect of a gubernatorial campaign earlier this year.
Hackel is known for his bipartisan relationships, and has blamed hyper-partisanship for the inability for government to deliver significant accomplishments.
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans supported Kinloch.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who is running for Michigan governor, congratulated Sheffield Tuesday posting a photo of the two from the event on social media.
“A barrier-breaking moment,” Gilchrist said in a post. “Congratulations to Mary Sheffield, a leader shaped by Detroit, and who is ready to fight for it everyday.”
Gilchrist told Michigan Chronicle he stopped by the watch party for Sheffield’s opponent, Solomon Kinloch, Tuesday evening as well.
Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel
Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel, a former mid-Michigan state senator is quick to point out he grew up in Detroit.
Hertel’s presence was notable given his ongoing feud with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who left the party to run for governor as an independent after he announced he wouldn’t seek another term.
Duggan endorsed Sheffield, but it’s unclear whether she will return the favor. Sheffield told Michigan Chronicle when asked that she would think about an endorsement closer to the race, which she said has big consequences for Detroit.
His appearance at her watch party suggests his Democratic Party wouldn’t punish Sheffield even if she did endorse Duggan, unlike other Democratic candidates who have endorsed Duggan.
