Mary Sheffield Elected Detroit’s First Female Mayor/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield won the city’s mayoral race, becoming the first woman to lead the Motor City. She defeated Rev. Solomon Kinloch and will take office in January 2026, succeeding Mayor Mike Duggan. Sheffield pledges to expand neighborhood development and public safety for all Detroiters.
Mary Sheffield’s Victory Quick Looks
- Mary Sheffield becomes Detroit’s first female mayor.
- Defeated megachurch pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch in general election.
- Succeeds three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who endorsed her.
- Sheffield has served on City Council since 2013, president since 2022.
- Focus areas: education, neighborhood revitalization, and public safety.
- Detroit continues post-bankruptcy recovery with 12 years of balanced budgets.
- City shows population growth for the first time in decades.
- Duggan is now running for Michigan governor as an independent.
- Kinloch emphasized equitable investment and called for civic engagement.
- Sheffield vows to lead a Detroit that ‘works for everyone.’
Mary Sheffield Elected Detroit’s First Female Mayor
Deep Look
DETROIT — In a groundbreaking win, Mary Sheffield was elected mayor of Detroit on Tuesday, becoming the first woman in the city’s history to claim its highest office. A lifelong Detroiter and current City Council president, Sheffield will officially succeed outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan in January 2026.
Sheffield, 38, defeated Rev. Solomon Kinloch, a well-known megachurch pastor, in a general election that captured the attention of residents citywide. Both candidates advanced from a nonpartisan primary in August, with Sheffield carrying strong political credentials and Kinloch offering a community-focused outsider’s perspective.
“I am here to listen to you, to fight for you and to serve you,” Sheffield told supporters in her victory speech.
“Because, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing — a Detroit that works for everyone.”
A Historic First with Deep Roots in City Government
Sheffield was first elected to the Detroit City Council in 2013 at just 26 years old, and she’s served as council president since 2022. Over her decade in public office, she has become a leading figure in Detroit politics, often pushing for equitable development and increased access to city resources.
Her election caps a historic rise through the city’s political ranks and reflects the momentum behind inclusive leadership and community-centered policymaking.
Inheriting a City on the Rebound
Sheffield takes the reins of a city still rebounding from the aftermath of its 2013 municipal bankruptcy, the largest in U.S. history. Under Duggan’s leadership, Detroit restored basic services like police response, public lighting, and blight removal — and recorded 12 straight years of balanced budgets.
Crime rates have declined, and for the first time in decades, Detroit’s population is growing. According to the U.S. Census, the city reached 645,705 residents in 2025, a gain of over 12,000 since mid-2024. That’s still far from its 1950s peak of 1.8 million, but marks an important demographic turnaround.
“My commitment, Detroit, is to build on the foundation that has been laid,” Sheffield said at a campaign event alongside Duggan.
“By expanding opportunities, strengthening our neighborhoods and making sure that Detroit’s progress reaches every block and every family.”
Duggan’s Endorsement and Political Legacy
Outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan, who did not seek re-election and is now running for Michigan governor as an independent, endorsed Sheffield as his successor.
“Our city’s progress is in very good hands,” Duggan said in a post-election statement.
“I know she and her team will make sure it not only continues, but expands.”
Duggan’s backing provided Sheffield with establishment support, but her grassroots base and reputation for community advocacy helped solidify her win.
Kinloch’s Message: Equity and Involvement
Rev. Solomon Kinloch, who ran a strong campaign focused on affordable housing, crime prevention, and citywide investment, conceded Tuesday night with a call for civic unity.
“You can’t make all of the investments downtown,” Kinloch said.
“It has to reach the whole town.”
Though unsuccessful, Kinloch stressed the importance of continued civic engagement, urging his supporters to remain active in shaping the city’s future.
“This city’s in trouble,” he said. “We need you to stand up and step up more now than ever before.”
What Comes Next for Sheffield
As mayor, Sheffield is expected to prioritize:
- Educational equity and improving Detroit’s public school outcomes
- Public safety with a focus on community-based solutions
- Neighborhood revitalization beyond the city’s downtown core
- Affordable housing access for working-class families
- Bridging racial and economic divides across the city’s districts
Her experience balancing legislative duties and community outreach may position her to guide Detroit through its next phase of renewal — one focused not just on infrastructure but on inclusion and shared prosperity.
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