Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch advance in Detroit mayoral race

In the recent Detroit mayoral primary election, Mary Sheffield and Rev. Solomon Kinloch emerged as the top two candidates, positioning themselves for a runoff in the general election scheduled for November 2025. Sheffield, currently the City Council President, garnered approximately 32,414 votes, while Kinloch, a well-known pastor, received around 12,813 votes. The voter turnout for this primary election was reported at 16.69%, indicating that out of 518,314 registered voters, a small fraction participated in the decision-making process. Mary Sheffield's campaign focuses on enhancing the city’s economy, improving education, reducing crime, and promoting affordable housing initiatives. Her commitment to community welfare aligns with her experience as a city council member since 2013 and her role as Council President since 2022. Sheffield’s victory in the primary positions her as a potential trailblazer; if elected, she would become the first female mayor of Detroit. On the other hand, Solomon Kinloch, who leads Triumph Church with a substantial following and has a background in labor as a former autoworker, emphasizes the need for policies that will ensure that economic recovery reaches all Detroiters. Kinloch, who has served as pastor for about 27 years, calls attention to the inequalities that persist in Detroit despite its recent resurgence. His grassroots approach aims to address the challenges faced by underrepresented communities. This upcoming election is crucial as it follows Mayor Mike Duggan, who has held the office since 2013 and is running for governor in 2026. Duggan’s administration was marked by notable progress as Detroit overcame significant financial hardships, emerging from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. The next mayor will be tasked with continuing the city’s recovery and improving the living conditions for its residents, building on the foundation laid by Duggan's leadership.