Anticipated Outcomes for Detroit Mayoral Primary, as outlined in the latest AP Decision Notes
As the Detroit mayoral primary approaches on August 5, 2025, the race is heating up with two leading contenders, Mary Sheffield and Saunteel Jenkins, gaining significant momentum.
According to the latest reports, Sheffield, the current city council president, has expressed confidence in her campaign, while Jenkins has emphasised grassroots efforts such as door-to-door canvassing and engaging directly with residents, particularly senior citizens.
Sheffield has secured major endorsements from the Detroit Free Press and the Michigan branch of the SEIU labor union. Jenkins, on the other hand, has earned the support of The Detroit News and former Mayor Dave Bing, Duggan's immediate predecessor.
As of Thursday, more than 67% of the ballots had been cast before primary day, indicating a strong turnout for the election. In total, nine candidates are running for the open-seat mayoral race, including former police chief James Craig, city council member Fred Durhal, Triumph Church pastor Solomon Kinloch, attorney Todd Perkins, businessmen Jonathan Barlow and Joel Haashiim, and three-time mayoral hopeful DaNetta Simpson.
The outgoing three-term Mayor Mike Duggan is running for governor of Michigan as an independent, leaving a vacancy in the mayoral seat. The next mayor will face challenges such as a shortage of affordable housing and vast economic disparities along racial lines.
It is important to note that while Michigan voters do not register by party, most candidates in the field identify with the Democratic Party. The Detroit electorate is overwhelmingly Democratic, having supported Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump by about a 9-1 ratio in 2024.
Any voter registered in Detroit may participate in the mayoral primary. As of late July, there were about 518,000 registered voters in Detroit. The election night tabulation ended on August 6 at 9:17 a.m. ET with about 98% of total votes counted.
Detroit, along with cities and towns across Michigan, will hold a variety of other municipal elections on Tuesday, but they will not be included in the AP's vote tabulation. Michigan's mandatory recount law does not apply to Detroit's mayoral primary.
In the Nov. 2025 general election, the top two vote-getters in the nonpartisan primary will advance to compete for the mayoral seat. The candidates are expected to continue their efforts to engage voters and secure their support as the primary day draws near.
[1] Source: Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, AP [2] Source: Detroit City Clerk's Office [3] Source: WDIV Local 4 [4] Source: Detroit Metro Times
- Despite the ongoing mayoral primaries in Detroit, conversations in Seattle's general-news media have shifted towards a sudden surge in crimes, particularly burglaries, prompting politicians to usher in stricter policies.
- In the midst of heated political debates over business regulations, the Seattle city council is considering proposals to provide affordable housing solutions, an issue that parallels the challenges faced by Detroit.
- The Seattle Times recently reported on the potential impact of housing policies on the city's economy, echoing Detroit's struggle to address vast economic disparities along racial lines.
