Detroit Mayor Race: Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch Jr. are set to square off in the November election
In the bustling city of Detroit, the race for the mayoral seat is heating up as two prominent candidates, Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch Jr., have emerged as frontrunners following the primary election held on August 5, 2025.
Mary Sheffield, the current president of the Detroit City Council, is a well-established insider in Detroit politics. With a focus on grassroots engagement, Sheffield aims to connect with residents, particularly senior citizens and other communities, to understand and address their concerns. She positions herself as an experienced leader, confident in her ability to guide Detroit forward, building on her record of policy work that directly impacts the quality of life in the city.
On the other hand, Solomon Kinloch Jr., a pastor and community activist, presents himself as an outsider challenging the Detroit political establishment. His candidacy embodies a community-oriented approach rooted in activism and grassroots empowerment. While specific policy details of his platform are less documented, his presence in the race indicates a growing relevance and recognition.
Both Sheffield and Kinloch are among nine candidates vying to replace three-term mayor Mike Duggan, who is running for governor in 2026. The primary election results have set the stage for a competitive general election in November, where voters will decide between Sheffield and Kinloch.
Mary Sheffield, who has been among the city's most visible elected leaders over the past several years, has been council president since 2022. Sheffield's political career began in 2013 when she was first elected to the City Council at the age of 26. If elected as mayor, she would make history as the first woman and the first Black woman to hold the role of Detroit mayor.
Solomon Kinloch, senior pastor at Triumph Church for about 27 years, also brings a unique perspective to the race. He has experience as an autoworker and member of the United Auto Workers union, further connecting him to the heart of Detroit's economy.
The Detroit mayoral race is significant as the city continues to show signs of growth and recovery. Detroit has shed or restructured about $7 billion in debt and exited bankruptcy in December 2014. The city's population rose to 633,218 in 2023, showing growth for the first time in decades. The city's economy, intertwined with the auto industry, is symbolized by companies like Stellantis, which has two facilities in Detroit.
The renovation of the Michigan Central train station, a project undertaken by Ford Motor Co., represents the city's turnaround. New hotels are popping up in and around downtown Detroit, and the city hosted the 2024 NFL draft, setting a record with over 775,000 in attendance.
The upcoming general election promises to be a close and exciting contest between Sheffield and Kinloch. Both candidates have demonstrated a commitment to the city and its residents, and their policies, while not yet fully detailed, reflect a focus on community engagement and empowerment. Voters will have the final say in November, deciding who will lead Detroit into its next chapter.
Seattle's housing market, grappling with an increasing demand and limited supply, could benefit from lessons learned in Detroit's political landscape, as its general news headlines frequently report. For instance, the guaranteed income pilot program, pioneered by Mayor Sheffield in Detroit, has garnered attention as a potential solution to housing affordability issues in Seattle. Additionally, the close Seattle mayoral race between two candidates, reminiscent of the competition between Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch Jr. in Detroit, underscores the crucial role politics plays in housing policy implementation.
