Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is attempting to flex her political power as mayor for the first time in endorsing state level candidates she wants to work with in Lansing.
While Sheffield began the string of endorsement announcements backing incumbents, she is making her preference known in other races where new Democratic candidates are vying for newly redrawn districts.
Sheffield endorsed candidates in contentious races including in the 8th state House district and the state’s 1st state Senate district, where leftist candidates supported by anti-corporate and pro-Palestine activists are running against pragmatic Democrats being supported by political moderates.
The dynamics playing out in those races illustrate the divides playing out in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race and across the country.
Here’s who Sheffield endorsed:
District 5 (State House): Sheffield endorsed Candace Calloway, the daughter of Angela Whitfield Calloway, in her primary race to represent the state’s 5th House District, made up of parts of Detroit, Oak Park, and Royal Oak Township. Calloway is running against Crystal Bailey and Soummer Moore-Crawford.
“Candace is a daughter of Detroit. She understands our city’s strengths and challenges because she lives them,” Sheffield said. “She represents a new generation of leadership. One that’s about building relationships, making smart investments, and ensuring government works for the people.”
District 7 (State House): Incumbent Tonya Meyers Phillips was endorsed by Sheffield. She is running against Seema Ahmad and Oliver Gantt.
District 8 (State House): Sheffield endorsed incumbent state Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit. She is running against Deanne Austin and Chris Gilmer-Hill, whose campaign put him on a billboard and has knocked on over 20,000 doors. Gilmer-Hill is a Democratic Socialist backed by Metro Detroit DSA.
“HD8 has had enough of DTE Democrats who care more about special interest groups than their own voters,” Metro Detroit DSA said in response to Sheffield’s endorsement. “(Gilmer-Hill) will take on DTE & fight for the residents of HD8.”
The organization was key to Council Member Denzel McCampbell’s win over state Rep. Karen Whitsett last November. Scott also ran for council, but earned less votes in the primary than Whitfield Calloway and Roy McCalister Jr.
District 1 (State Senate): Justin Onwenu earned Sheffield’s endorsement over former state Rep. Abraham Aiyash. The endorsement came a week after the two debated in a parking lot following a candidate forum hosted by progressive nonprofit Detroit Action, which endorsed Aiyash.
“Justin has a consistent record of delivering for our neighborhoods, workers and families,” Sheffield said in a statement. “I’ve seen Justin’s work up close, and I know he brings the energy, experience, and integrity to deliver for our communities in Lansing.”
