The 2025 Detroit mayoral election is shaping up to be a historic race. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. are the two candidates advancing to the general election on November 4, 2025, after a competitive primary on August 5, 2025.

With Mayor Mike Duggan stepping down after 12 years to run for governor, this election will decide Detroit’s next leader.

Who Is Mary Sheffield?

Mary Sheffield, 38, is a seasoned politician and Detroit native. She’s served on the Detroit City Council since 2013, becoming its youngest member at age 26. In 2022, she made history as the youngest council president.

A fourth-generation Detroiter, Sheffield comes from a family with deep roots in civil rights activism. Her grandfather, Horace Sheffield Jr., was a prominent labor activist in the United Auto Workers (UAW), and her father, Rev. Horace Sheffield III, leads the Detroit Association of Black Organizations.

Early Life

Sheffield grew up in Detroit, surrounded by a legacy of community service. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in sociology and later earned a law degree from Michigan State University. Her early exposure to activism shaped her commitment to public service.

Political Stance and Goals

Sheffield is a progressive Democrat who focuses on equity and community investment. Her platform includes:

• Affordable Housing: Expanding access to housing Detroiters can afford.
• Public Safety: Investing in community policing and youth programs to reduce crime.
• Neighborhood Development: Ensuring all neighborhoods, not just downtown, benefit from Detroit’s growth.
• Property Tax Reform: Advocating for fair taxes to support residents.
• Environmental Justice: Promoting clean air and water for all Detroiters.

Sheffield rejects the idea of “two Detroits” (a thriving downtown versus struggling neighborhoods) and aims to create a unified city with equal opportunities. If elected, she would be Detroit’s first female mayor, a historic milestone.

Endorsements

Sheffield has strong union support, including:

• SEIU Michigan: Praised her for advocating for workers’ rights.
• UNITE HERE! Local 24
• IBEW Local 58 (donated $5,000)
• Teamsters Local 283 ($1,500)
• Plumbers Local 98
• Laborers’ Local Union 1191
• Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association ($1,000)

Her fundraising lead, with over $1.17 million raised by late July 2025, shows strong financial backing.

Who Is Solomon Kinloch Jr.?

Solomon Kinloch Jr., 52, is a pastor and political newcomer. He’s the senior pastor of Triumph Church, one of Michigan’s largest congregations, which he grew from 40 members to over 40,000 over 27 years.

A Detroit native, Kinloch worked as an autoworker and UAW member before entering the ministry. He recently moved back to Detroit from the suburbs to run for mayor.

Early Life

Kinloch was raised in poverty in Detroit and graduated from Northwestern High School. He worked at the Chevy Gear and Axle plant as a UAW member before founding Triumph Church.

His personal experiences with hardship, including having utilities cut off, drive his focus on underserved communities.

Political Stance and Goals

Kinloch, also a Democrat, positions himself as an outsider challenging the political establishment. His platform emphasizes:

• Affordable Housing: Building 10,000 affordable housing units.
• Poverty Reduction: Creating jobs paying $35/hour or more.
• Neighborhood Investment: Improving services like trash pickup and emergency response in underserved areas.
• Food Access: Bringing grocery stores to “food desert” neighborhoods.
• Workforce Training: Expanding programs to prepare Detroiters for good jobs.

Kinloch’s campaign focuses on inclusion, ensuring all residents benefit from Detroit’s economic recovery.

He’s faced scrutiny over a 1993 domestic violence conviction, which he’s addressed by emphasizing personal growth and second chances.

Endorsements

Kinloch has key union endorsements, including:

• United Auto Workers (UAW): UAW President Shawn Fain praised his commitment to workers.
• AFSCME 925: Recognized his community ties and labor background.

He raised about $400,000 by late July 2025, significantly less than Sheffield but competitive for a first-time candidate.

The Election: Key Details

• Primary Results: In the August 5, 2025, primary, Sheffield led with 50.8% of the vote, while Kinloch secured 17.4%, narrowly beating Saunteel Jenkins (16%).
  • Voter turnout was around 18%, with nearly 86,000 residents voting, mostly via absentee or early ballots.
• General Election Date: November 4, 2025. The winner will become Detroit’s mayor, replacing Mike Duggan, who’s now running for governor as an independent.
• Who’s Leading? Sheffield is the clear frontrunner. A late May 2025 poll by The Detroit News and WDIV-TV showed her leading with 38%, while Kinloch had 14%.
  • Her primary dominance (over 50% of votes) and fundraising edge reinforce her lead. Kinloch faces an uphill battle but has a strong grassroots base through his church and union support.

Why This Election Matters

Detroit is at a turning point. Under Mayor Duggan, downtown and nearby areas saw billions in investment, but many neighborhoods still face poverty, crime, and lack of services. Both candidates aim to address these disparities but differ in approach:

• Sheffield leverages her experience as a council leader to continue Detroit’s progress with a focus on equity.
• Kinloch offers a fresh perspective, emphasizing grassroots change and inclusion for overlooked communities.

Voters are looking for a leader who can maintain Detroit’s momentum while addressing longstanding challenges like affordable housing, crime, and equitable development.

Additional Important Information

• Sheffield’s Experience: As City Council President, Sheffield has a proven track record. She’s been a vocal critic of tax incentives for downtown developers, pushing for policies that benefit residents citywide. Her 100-day plan focuses on setting new standards for City Hall and sustaining growth.
• Kinloch’s Challenges: Kinloch’s lack of political experience is a double-edged sword. Supporters see him as a fresh voice, but critics, like voter Omar Deadwilder, worry he may not be ready to lead on day one. His 1993 conviction has also sparked debate, though he’s framed it as a youthful mistake.
• Voter Priorities: Detroiters want a mayor who prioritizes fiscal responsibility, affordable housing, neighborhood investment, and public safety.
  • Both candidates have pledged to address these issues, but their approaches differ—Sheffield with policy expertise, Kinloch with community-driven vision.
• Historic Context: This is the first mayoral election without Duggan’s name on the ballot in over a decade. Sheffield could make history as Detroit’s first female mayor, while Kinloch could be the first pastor to hold the office.

The 2025 Detroit mayoral election pits Mary Sheffield, an experienced progressive with deep political roots, against Solomon Kinloch Jr., a passionate pastor advocating for the underserved.

Sheffield leads with strong voter support, fundraising, and endorsements, but Kinloch’s grassroots campaign and union backing make him a contender.

The general election on November 4, 2025, will decide who leads Detroit into its next chapter.