As the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch are now set to face off in the November general election for the city’s mayoral role. The two received the highest votes in the crowded field, with Sheffield securing 50.82% and Kinloch taking second place with 17.37%. Both candidates surpassed a group of seven other contenders, including former police chief James Craig and former council member Saunteel Jenkins. Voter turnout for the primary was 16.69% out of a total of 518,314 registered voters.
The general election will result in the next mayor’s choice, who will succeed the popular three-term mayor Mike Duggan — the current leader who is running as an independent for Michigan’s open governor’s seat in 2026. Sheffield’s potential victory could be historic, as she would become the first woman to ever hold the role of Detroit mayor. The city council member was first elected to the City Council in 2013 at age 26 and has served as council president since 2022. Her father, Horace Sheffield III, is an activist and pastor of New Destiny Christian Fellowship church.
Kinloch, with a background spanning 27 years as a senior pastor at Triumph Church — a church with over 40,000 members across multiple campuses — and with a history as an autoworker and former member of the United Auto Workers union, will likely offer a different vision for the future of Detroit. He emphasized during the campaign that he did not enter the race to chase power but rather to serve with a purpose. If elected, he aims to ensure that the revitalization of Detroit benefits all residents, not just those in the city’s downtown area. Kinloch also addressed the ongoing issue of crime, stating that it needs to be recognized and tackled.
“Detroit, we made this moment together,” Sheffield said to her supporters on the night of the primary. “We claimed it together, and, Detroit, I believe that our best days are ahead of us.” She acknowledged the efforts of many people, including the young dreamers, the neighborhoods where people feel left behind, the seniors who paved the way, and the college students who want to stay in the city. “This is our moment,” she concluded.
Kinloch’s perspective is similar, as he pointed out that despite Detroit’s resurgence, prosperity has not trickled down to enough of its residents. “Until we reach the whole town, we have not done nearly enough,” he told his supporters. “I didn’t enter this race to chase power. I came to serve with a purpose. If we want a city that shines, we cannot ignore what’s in the shadows. If we want Detroit to rise, we cannot celebrate billions in investment downtown, but poverty in the neighborhoods.” Kinloch also mentioned the need for a continued focus on crime addressing.
President Donald Trump campaigned in Detroit last October, highlighting the city’s former manufacturing strength as a broader symbol of an American industrial comeback. However, recent developments indicate that the pressures from his tariffs policy on the auto industry are still affecting automakers in Detroit. Stellantis, which owns brands like Jeep and Ram, has facilities in the city and faced losses of $2.68 billion in the first half of the year due to tariffs and other charges. Similarly, Ford Motor Co. reported a $800 million loss in the second quarter due to tariffs, though CEO Jim Farley expressed confidence in the administration’s ongoing negotiations regarding tariff relief.
Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a potential 2028 presidential candidate who had a history of clashing with Trump during his first term, made a visit to the White House on Tuesday to discuss tariff relief for the state’s auto industry. Duggan, who is running for Michigan’s governor in 2026 as an independent candidate, led Detroit through a period of significant recovery following the city’s historic bankruptcy in 2013. The former prosecutor and medical center chief oversaw an anti-blight campaign and pushed for affordable housing developments.
The next mayor will inherit a city that has made significant progress since Duggan’s initial term. The Michigan Central train station, once a symbol of the city’s decline, has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and now serves as a hub for mobility projects. Detroit also emerged from its $7 billion debt in 2014 and has had 12 consecutive years of balanced budgets. The city has seen a population increase for the first time in decades, with the 2023 census showing a rise in population. The city is also becoming a destination for visitors, as evidenced by the record attendance during the 2024 NFL draft in downtown Detroit.
Detroit’s upcoming mayor will face the challenge of maintaining this positive momentum. The city’s continued financial and population growth will be a key focus for the next leader. The city’s revitalization efforts, including the development of affordable housing and the demolition of over 25,000 vacant and derelict homes, represent a turning point for Detroit. The next mayor will need to ensure that this progress is sustained and that the city’s continued growth is inclusive and equitable for all its residents.