Detroit’s Mayoral Race Heats Up: Council President vs. Megachurch Pastor
Detroit is gearing up for a mayoral showdown that’s already grabbing plenty of attention—and for good reason. After Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary, longtime City Council President Mary Sheffield and popular pastor Solomon Kinloch emerged as the top two contenders. Now, Detroiters will head to the polls in November to decide who will take over as mayor, succeeding Mike Duggan, who’s stepping down after three terms to run for Michigan governor in 2026.
This race is shaping up to be a fascinating clash of backgrounds and visions: a young, trailblazing political leader going head-to-head with a spiritual figure deeply rooted in Detroit’s communities.
Meet Mary Sheffield: A Trailblazer in the Making
At just 26 years old, Mary Sheffield first won a seat on Detroit’s City Council back in 2013. Since then, she’s steadily risen through the ranks and has served as council president since 2022. If she wins in November, Sheffield will not only become Detroit’s first female mayor but also its first Black woman in the role—a historic milestone for a city with a rich and complex history.
Her roots run deep in Detroit’s civic and spiritual life. Her father, Horace Sheffield III, is a well-known activist and pastor of the New Destiny Christian Fellowship church, giving her a unique blend of political savvy and community connection. Mary Sheffield has been a strong advocate for neighborhoods that feel left behind, pushing for equitable development and more opportunities for all Detroit residents.
At a downtown rooftop gathering after her primary win, Sheffield was visibly energized, speaking passionately to her supporters.
“Detroit, we made this moment together,” she said. “We claimed it together, and I believe that our best days are ahead of us.”
She dedicated her victory to every kid told to “dream small,” every neighborhood that’s been overlooked, every senior who helped pave the way, and every student hoping to build a future right in Detroit.
“This is our moment,” Sheffield declared. And with her momentum, it’s clear many voters are ready to embrace her vision.
Solomon Kinloch: A Pastor With a Purpose
Challenging Sheffield is Solomon Kinloch, the senior pastor at Triumph Church, which has grown to more than 40,000 members spread across multiple campuses in the Detroit area. Kinloch’s been leading the congregation for nearly three decades, making him a familiar and influential figure in Detroit’s religious community.
But Kinloch’s connection to Detroit goes beyond the pulpit. Before becoming a pastor, he was an autoworker and a proud member of the United Auto Workers union, giving him firsthand insight into the working-class challenges so many Detroit families face. That experience shapes his message: he’s running not to chase political power but to serve with a clear purpose.
At his campaign event on Tuesday night, Kinloch didn’t shy away from addressing the hard realities that remain in Detroit.
“Until we reach the whole town, we have not done nearly enough,” he said. “If we want a city that shines, we cannot ignore what’s in the shadows. If we want Detroit to rise, we cannot celebrate billions in investment downtown, but poverty in the neighborhoods.”
Kinloch also emphasized the ongoing problem of crime and the feeling among many Detroiters that they’re still being left out of the city’s resurgence.
“It’s time we reckoned with reality,” he said. “Far too many Detroiters feel left out.”
His focus on inclusion, social justice, and tackling inequality resonates with a large segment of Detroit’s population, especially those who feel the economic recovery hasn’t reached them yet.
The Legacy of Mike Duggan: The Mayor Who Changed Detroit
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Detroit’s next leader. Mike Duggan, who has served three terms as mayor, is widely credited with guiding Detroit out of its darkest days. When Duggan took office in 2013, Detroit was still reeling from one of the largest municipal bankruptcies in U.S. history. The city was drowning in debt—about $7 billion—and struggling with a declining population, blight, and an image problem that felt impossible to shake.
But Duggan’s tenure marked a dramatic turnaround. Through an aggressive anti-blight campaign, Detroit has demolished over 25,000 abandoned homes and buildings, transforming neighborhoods and improving safety. The city’s finances have stabilized, boasting 12 consecutive years of balanced budgets, and developers have been busy creating hundreds of affordable housing units.
Detroit’s population has even started growing again, with the U.S. Census estimating about 633,000 residents in 2023—a small but significant sign of revival after decades of decline.
Detroit on the Rise: Progress and Challenges
Detroit is quickly becoming a city on the move, attracting visitors and new investment. The 2024 NFL draft, held downtown, drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 775,000 people, showcasing the city’s renewed energy and appeal.
New hotels are popping up in and around the downtown area, and the iconic Michigan Central train station, once a symbol of Detroit’s decay, has been revitalized thanks to a major investment by Ford Motor Company. The train station now serves as a hub for innovation and mobility projects, marking a new chapter in Detroit’s story.
Yet, Detroit’s economy is still closely tied to the auto industry, which remains a mixed bag of opportunity and uncertainty. For instance, Stellantis—the maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles—operates two facilities in Detroit but recently reported a whopping $2.68 billion net loss in the first half of the year, partly due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. This underlines the challenges Detroit faces as it tries to balance tradition with new economic realities.
What’s Next for Detroit’s Future?
The new mayor will be stepping into big shoes, tasked with keeping Detroit’s momentum alive. The city is on more solid footing than a decade ago but still faces pressing challenges: continuing population growth, addressing crime, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring that economic prosperity is shared by all residents.
Both Sheffield and Kinloch offer different perspectives and leadership styles, but both clearly understand the gravity of the moment.
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Sheffield represents a fresh, politically experienced voice who champions neighborhood revitalization and equity.
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Kinloch brings a community-first approach grounded in faith and service, emphasizing inclusion and social justice.
As Detroiters prepare to cast their ballots this fall, the city stands at a crossroads—poised between a celebrated past and a hopeful, complicated future.
Quick Pointers to Know:
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Mary Sheffield: First woman and first Black woman candidate for Detroit mayor; City Council president since 2022; daughter of activist and pastor Horace Sheffield III.
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Solomon Kinloch: Senior pastor at Triumph Church (40,000+ members); former UAW autoworker; focuses on serving neighborhoods often left behind.
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Mike Duggan: Mayor for 3 terms; led Detroit’s recovery post-bankruptcy; running for Michigan governor in 2026.
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Detroit’s Recovery: Balanced budgets for 12 years; over 25,000 blighted properties demolished; population growth after decades.
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Economic Challenges: Auto industry uncertainty due to tariffs; major investments downtown, including Michigan Central station renovation.
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Crime & Inequality: Both candidates emphasize the need to address ongoing crime issues and ensure prosperity reaches all Detroit neighborhoods.
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