Detroit’s next mayor will be chosen without an incumbent defending the seat. For the first time since 1974, when Coleman A. Young made history, the path is clear for a new Black mayor to lead a city that remains over 80% Black. This shift reflects not only a political opportunity but a long-overdue return to representation rooted in the community’s core.
Among the first to step forward is Mary Sheffield, the current City Council president and the first candidate to submit her nominating petitions for the mayoral race. A fourth-generation Detroiter with deep roots in the city’s civil rights legacy, Sheffield brings experience shaped by public service and a longstanding commitment to equity.
Her campaign focuses on continuing Detroit’s growth while making sure that progress reaches every neighborhood. Sheffield has made it clear that development without inclusion is not enough. She points to her leadership on expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, and creating policies designed to close racial and economic disparities.
During her time as council president, Sheffield says Detroit has made strides beyond what many believed possible. But she also believes those gains must translate into everyday realities for the people who’ve stayed, endured, and contributed to the city’s resilience.
Her platform includes support for small businesses, investment in youth, and policies to build wealth within Black communities. Sheffield is also calling for stronger citywide infrastructure improvements, neighborhood-focused economic development, and a commitment to government transparency.
This interview presents Sheffield’s unfiltered responses to the same set of 18 questions answered by every candidate. The topics ranged from housing and public safety to education, sustainability, digital access, and Detroit’s future in a post-federal funding landscape. Her answers reflect a candid mix of policy experience and personal dedication to the city she has served—and lived in—all her life.
About Post Author
