Detroit’s next chapter won’t be handed out—it’ll be earned. As Mayor Mike Duggan prepares to exit, a new poll lays bare what Detroiters are prioritizing: candidates who’ve shown up, done the work, and earned trust block by block. Conducted by The Glengariff Group between May 27 and May 29, the survey gives a sharp snapshot of who’s resonating most ahead of the August primary—and who still has work to do. This race is shaping up to be a referendum on presence, accountability, and real neighborhood results.
The poll, commissioned by WDIV and the Detroit News, reached 500 likely primary voters by phone. It shows Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield leading the pack with 38.4%. Her advantage isn’t based on flash or inflated promises. It’s coming from a steady hand and a name long tied to policy, community investment, and generational advocacy.
Sheffield’s numbers reflect what those working-class corners of Detroit already know. Voters who had heard of her gave her a 63.2% favorability rating, with only 4.5% holding an unfavorable view. Nearly a quarter had no opinion, and only 8.1% had never heard of her. These are not just numbers. They speak to a decade of public service rooted in the neighborhoods—not distant from them.
Coming in second, Solomon Kinloch Jr. earned 14%. Known widely as the pastor of Triumph Church, Kinloch pulled a 38.8% favorability rating among those who recognized his name. But nearly a quarter of voters—22.2%—had never heard of him. Favorability will mean little if his team can’t close that name recognition gap in time.
James Craig polled at 9.1%, but there’s a cautionary tale embedded in his numbers. While 26.6% view him favorably, a larger 37.6% hold unfavorable views. That isn’t just skepticism. It’s memory. Voters remember Craig’s public stances, statewide campaigns, and his approach to public safety that did not always land well with Black Detroiters. The path forward for Craig is rough, and name recognition alone won’t be enough to pull him through.
Saunteel Jenkins secured 8.1%. Her nonprofit and civic resume is respected, and 37.2% of those familiar with her name view her favorably. But the clock is ticking. Twenty-five percent of voters had never heard of her, and 30.7% had no opinion. That silence is space her campaign must urgently fill.
Attorney Todd Perkins received 4.3% support. Among voters familiar with him, 19.3% saw him favorably, while 7.5% did not. Still, nearly 46% had never heard of him. That’s a stark indicator of the visibility gap that persists in Detroit politics—where deep resumes don’t always come with public recognition.
Fred Durhal III polled at 1.6%. While 16.1% of those who knew him had a favorable impression, 51.2% of respondents didn’t know his name at all. It’s the same story for Jonathan Barlow, who polled at 1.4% and had over 61% unfamiliarity among voters.
Joel Haashiim and DaNetta Simpson both came in at 0.6%. Each had over 71% of respondents say they had never heard of them.
Beyond the names, the poll reveals something deeper. Twenty-two percent of likely voters remain undecided. That’s not just an open lane—it’s a demand. Voters are watching. They want candidates who speak directly to their lived experience, not rehearse slogans or hide behind polished branding.
Poll methodology matters. This was a live operator poll with a sample of 500, conducted via landline (10.4%) and cellphone (89.6%). The margin of error is plus or minus 4%, with a 95% level of confidence.
Favorability numbers tell more than a popularity contest. They indicate who has built trust, who is present in the community, and who still has work to do. Mary Sheffield’s lead is not about chance. It’s about proximity. Her campaign doesn’t need to rely on introduction—it’s a continuation of the relationships already built across council districts, block clubs, and coalition tables.
Kinloch brings the weight of faith leadership, which has always played a critical role in Detroit’s political evolution. But voters will be looking for how that leadership translates into economic policy, community safety, and structural change. Detroit’s challenges require spiritual grounding and legislative muscle.
James Craig’s presence in the top three reflects high visibility but not necessarily high approval. The data confirms that his association with previous GOP alignment and controversial policing positions are still sticking with Detroiters. High name ID paired with high unfavorability is a warning sign. Detroit voters don’t forget.
The remaining candidates have time, but not much of it. Voter engagement must shift from reactive to proactive. Grassroots organizing, door-to-door outreach, and targeted community media will be key. A TV ad can spark awareness, but authentic relationship-building moves numbers in this city.
This election is happening amid rising rents, school closures, redevelopment debates, and mounting distrust in systems meant to serve working-class Detroiters. Whoever becomes mayor will face demands for equity—not just promises of revitalization. Candidates must be willing to speak honestly about displacement, policing reform, environmental justice, and access to city contracts for Black-owned businesses.
The clock is ticking. August will arrive with more than heat. It will bring clarity about where Detroiters stand and who they believe will center them beyond campaign season. The frontrunners have name recognition, but the election will be decided by turnout, trust, and who shows up with truth.
Detroit’s story is being written by the people who are still here, still voting, still building. This race isn’t about personalities. It’s about power. And the people holding that power live on the Eastside, Westside, and across the neighborhoods that make Detroit more than a campaign stop.
This poll offers a mirror. It shows who’s ahead, who’s known, and who’s still waiting to be seen. But it’s up to the voters to decide who’s walking beside them when the speeches are over and the real work begins.
About Post Author
