Detroit has entered a new chapter. Mary Sheffield, longtime City Council President and community advocate, has won the race for mayor, becoming the first woman to lead the city in its history.
The Associated Press projected her victory with Sheffield securing a decisive lead as votes continued to be counted.
Her win comes after one of the most closely watched mayoral races Detroit has seen in years, the first without an incumbent on the ballot in more than a decade.
Sheffield defeated Solomon Kinloch, a prominent pastor whose late surge into the race drew citywide attention but ultimately couldn’t close the gap Sheffield established during the primary.
The campaign followed Mayor Mike Duggan’s announcement in 2024 that he would not seek a fourth term, a move that opened the door to a crowded primary field of community leaders, business figures, councilmembers, and organizers.
From that group, Sheffield emerged as the candidate with a coalition rooted in neighborhoods, faith communities, and long-standing civic networks.
Detroit has undergone a major transformation over the past 10+ years, moving from the trauma of bankruptcy to a city experiencing sustained redevelopment, renewed investment, and rising national perception.
Now, Sheffield inherits the challenge of navigating what comes after recovery: ensuring that growth reaches residents who have been part of Detroit all along.
