The Associated Press declared that with roughly 84% of the vote counted in Tuesday’s primary, City Council President Mary Sheffield led with 37,414 votes (51.2%), while Senior Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. held second with 12,813 votes (17.6%). Both will advance to the November 4 general election.
The path to Detroit’s next mayor is down to two names — both Black, both rooted in the city, and both presenting distinctly different approaches to leadership after months of campaigning, community forums, and ballot-box debates.
“I’m deeply honored by Detroit’s vote of confidence to advance to the November 4 general election,” shared Council President Sheffield. “This victory belongs not only to me, but to every resident who showed up, rolled up their sleeves, and believed in a united Detroit that works for all neighborhoods. Now, we pivot fully toward November — and I invite every Detroit voter to join us on this journey to ensure Detroit rises higher. The future of Detroit is ours to write.”
Fundraising Aligns with Primary Results
Campaign finance reports show Sheffield held a commanding lead in fundraising heading into the primary cycle. According to filings through July 20:
-
Mary Sheffield had raised roughly $1.3 million since launching her campaign and held approximately $451,000 in cash on hand, the largest war chest in the race.
-
Solomon Kinloch raised about $408,000 total and held nearly $56,000 on hand, placing him second in fundraising.
Sheffield’s fundraising advantage mirrors her strong showing in the primary. Kinloch’s ability to finish second, despite a smaller financial base, underscores the resonance of his campaign’s community and faith-based outreach.
What Comes Next
With the field narrowed to two, Detroit voters are weighing distinct leadership styles: experienced policymaking versus faith-rooted community stewardship.
Sheffield’s majority signals strong citywide support and sets the tone for a general election that could usher in the city’s first Black woman mayor. Kinloch’s steady second-place finish confirms a serious challenge ahead — one that will test community alignment, ground game, and voter reach as the city heads into one of its most consequential mayoral elections in over a decade.
The November 4 general election will determine who steps into the role vacated by Mayor Mike Duggan, who is not seeking re-election after holding the seat since 2014. For the first time in 12 years, Detroiters are preparing to elect new executive leadership in a city that has undergone significant economic, demographic, and policy shifts since the post-bankruptcy recovery period began.
Sheffield, who currently serves as president of the City Council, has campaigned on a platform grounded in community development, affordable housing expansion, and equitable governance. Her background combines legislative experience with a visible and consistent presence in Detroit neighborhoods. First elected to the council in 2013, Sheffield has built a reputation for advancing resident-driven policy, particularly around reparations, land justice, and city budget transparency.
Kinloch, on the other hand, has positioned his campaign around spiritual leadership, economic uplift, and neighborhood stability. As senior pastor of Triumph Church — one of Detroit’s largest congregations — he has spent years navigating faith-based service, youth programming, and community development. His entry into the race earlier this year was met with a groundswell of support from congregants and residents who see his leadership style as a return to community-centered stewardship.
The two candidates now face the challenge of mobilizing voters across a city that remains politically layered and socially complex. Detroit’s electorate includes long-time residents, working-class families, Black homeowners, young progressives, and newly arrived renters — each carrying different experiences and expectations about what city leadership should look like.
Sheffield’s primary performance reflects not only a well-organized campaign, but a deep foundation built over a decade of public service. Her work chairing the Planning and Economic Development Committee helped push forward policies like Detroit’s Community Benefits Ordinance and sparked citywide conversation about the balance between developer investment and neighborhood protection. She has also called for stronger renter protections and expanded resident input on land use decisions, two issues that remain front and center for many voters.
Her status as a potential first for the city is not lost on Detroiters. If elected, Sheffield would become the first woman — and the first Black woman — to serve as mayor in Detroit’s history. Her political ascent marks a generational shift, both in leadership and in how civic power is distributed.
Kinloch’s campaign, while newer to the political arena, represents a different kind of momentum. With a message rooted in unity, faith, and economic resilience, Kinloch has garnered support from voters who see traditional politics as disconnected from daily struggles. His influence extends across a broad base, including small business owners, elders, and families tied into Detroit’s church networks. The strength of that support will now be tested beyond the pulpit and into the polling place.
As both campaigns pivot toward November, the task ahead is less about name recognition and more about turnout. The field has narrowed, but the issues remain. Residents continue to call for cleaner neighborhoods, improved public transportation, affordable housing access, and transparent city spending.
But without significant voter engagement, those demands risk being left unanswered.
Detroit has long struggled with low voter turnout, even in high-stakes elections. In the 2021 mayoral primary, only 14% of registered voters cast ballots. In 2017, turnout was just 21% in the general election. The numbers drop even lower in off-cycle local elections and primaries, despite Detroit having the highest concentration of Black voters in the state.
Anticipated turnout for the ongoing 2025 mayoral primary: Turnout for the current (2025) Detroit mayoral primary is anticipated to be between 13% and 18% of registered voters, according to Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey. The city has more than 500,000 registered voters, yet less than a quarter have participated in recent mayoral contests. The trend reflects more than disinterest—it reflects a deep disconnection rooted in mistrust, systemic barriers, and a long history of broken promises.
That apathy becomes a decisive factor in November. Sheffield’s campaign will need to motivate a broader swath of voters beyond her established base. Kinloch’s team must find a way to translate community visibility into ballots cast. Both face the challenge of mobilizing residents who often feel the outcomes of elections rarely change material conditions in their neighborhoods.
What separates Sheffield and Kinloch now is not background — both are native Detroiters — but how they’ve shown up for the city.
Each will be expected to speak clearly on Detroit’s most pressing concerns, including how they plan to manage development pressures, address blight and illegal dumping, invest in youth employment, and ensure the city’s budget reflects community needs — not just investor priorities.
The final tally will come down to who can meet Detroiters where they are, and who can turn promises into a plan.
The general election will take place on November 4. Voter registration for the general is still open, and Detroit residents are encouraged to make sure their information is up to date ahead of the deadline. Absentee ballots will be available for early voting, and the city is expected to host additional debates and community forums featuring both candidates in the weeks ahead.
The stakes of this election reach beyond any one personality or campaign. Detroit stands to either elect its first Black woman mayor or hand the office to a faith leader stepping into public service for the first time. The choice speaks to legacy, representation, and the many ways leadership shows up in this city.
Detroit voters now have until November to decide what kind of mayor this next chapter demands. With the field set, the race is officially on.
About Post Author
