2025 Detroit mayoral election

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2025 Detroit mayoral election
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  State of the Youth with Mary Sheffield (6C5A7985) (cropped).jpg Solomon Kinloch.jpg
Candidate Mary Sheffield Solomon Kinloch Jr.
Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan
Incumbent Mayor

Mike Duggan
Independent



The 2025 Detroit mayoral election will be held on November 4, 2025, to elect the next mayor of Detroit, Michigan. It was preceded by a primary election which was held on August 5, in which the two highest-placing candidates would advance to the general election. Municipal elections in Michigan are officially nonpartisan.

Contents

Incumbent mayor Mike Duggan was eligible to run for re-election to a fourth term, but is instead running for governor of Michigan in 2026. [1]

Candidates

Filed

The deadline for candidates to file their paperwork to appear on the ballot was April 22, 2025. The following candidates filed by that deadline: [2]

Write-in candidates

Declined

Primary election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		James
Craig		Fred
Durhal		Saunteel
Jenkins		Solomon
Kinloch		Todd
Perkins		Mary
Sheffield		OtherUndecided
Glengariff Group [17] [A] May 27–29, 2025500 (LV)± 4.4%9%2%8%14%4%38%3% [b] 22%
Target Insyght [18] May 4–7, 2025400 (RV)± 5.0%19%2%7%25%5%32%1% [c] 10%
Douglas Fulmer & Associates [19] February 16–20, 2025400 (RV)± 5%20%2%12%5%4%34%2% [d] 21%

Endorsements

Fred Durhal III
Federal officials
Local officials
Organizations
  • Detroit Regional Chamber PAC [22]
Saunteel Jenkins
Local officials
Party officials
Individuals
Newspaper editorial boards
Solomon Kinloch
U.S. representatives
County officials
Local officials
Individuals
Party chapters
Labor unions
Todd Perkins
Municipal officials
Mary Sheffield
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Party officials
Individuals
Organizations
Labor unions
Newspaper editorial boards
Declined to endorse in primary
Local officials
  • Mike Duggan, outgoing mayor of Detroit (2014–present) (Independent) [23]
  • Latisha Johnson, city councilor from the 4th district (2022–present) (Democratic) [49]
  • Gabriela Santiago-Romero, city councilor from the 6th district (2022–present) (Democratic) [49]
  • Mary Waters, at-large city councilor (2022–present) and former state representative from the 4th district (2001–2007) (Democratic) [49]
Political parties

Debates

2025 Detroit mayoral debates
No.DateHostModeratorLinkParticipants
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee  W  Withdrawn
CraigDurhalJenkinsKinlochPerkinsSheffield
1May 29, 2025Detroit Regional ChamberStephen Henderson
Nolan Finley		 PPPPNP
2June 16, 2025 WDIV-TV
AARP Michigan 		Jason Colthorp PNPPNP
3June 21, 2025Daily Detroit
Eastside Community Network
Outlier Media		Orlando Bailey
Donna Givens Davidson
Jer Staes		 APPAPP

Results

Nonpartisan primary results
CandidateVotes%
Mary Sheffield 43,57250.8
Solomon Kinloch 14,89317.4
Saunteel Jenkins 13,73216.0
Todd Perkins4,5975.4
James Craig 4,4535.4
Fred Durhal III 2,9023.4
Jonathan Barlow7060.8
DaNetta Simpson5380.6
Joel Hashiim3490.4
Write-in
Total votes85,742 100.00

General election

Candidates

Post-primary endorsements

Mary Sheffield
2025 mayoral candidates
Federal officials
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations

Results

General election results
CandidateVotes%
Mary Sheffield
Solomon Kinloch Jr.
Write-in
Total votes100.00

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ Jonathan Barlow, Joel Haashiim & DaNetta Simpson each with 1%
  3. ↑ John Barlow with 1%
  4. ↑ Joe Tate with 2%; Joel Haashim with 0%
  5. ↑ This chapter is led by Jonathan Kinloch, who is the candidate's brother. According to the article, Jonathan recused himself from screening and recommending in the endorsement process.
Partisan clients
  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by The Detroit News and WDIV-TV

References

  1. 1 2 Epstein, Reid (December 4, 2024). "Detroit's Mayor, a Democrat, Will Run for Michigan Governor as an Independent". The New York Times . Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  2. ↑ Langton, Charlie (April 22, 2025). "The race for office in Detroit heats up with dozens vying for office". WJBK . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Afana, Dana (February 21, 2025). "Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate decided not to run for Detroit mayor". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  4. ↑ Aguilar, Louis (March 12, 2025). "Former Police Chief James Craig announces Detroit mayoral bid". The Detroit News . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  5. ↑ Afana, Dana (January 29, 2025). "Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III announces run for mayor". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Aguilar, Louis (December 10, 2024). "Council President Mary Sheffield launches campaign to be Detroit's first female mayor". The Detroit News . Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ Afana, Dana (January 14, 2025). "Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins: 'I was on the front lines' of bankruptcy". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Barrett, Malachi (February 19, 2025). "Pastor Solomon Kinloch announces 2025 bid for Detroit mayor". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  9. ↑ Carr, Brandon (January 22, 2025). "Attorney Todd Russell Perkins announces candidacy for Detroit mayor". WDIV-TV . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Barrett, Malachi (May 3, 2025). "Detroit mayor candidates for 2025 election". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  11. ↑ Rice, Briana. "Meet Your Mayor Quiz: Arnold Boyd". Outlier Media. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kamisar, Ben (March 11, 2025). "Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist launches a run for governor, setting up a major 2026 race". NBC News . Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  13. ↑ Welch, Sherri (January 13, 2025). "Focus: Hope CEO Portia Roberson on mayoral run speculation, mission focus". Crain's Detroit Business . Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ Spangler, Todd (May 12, 2025). "Former state House Speaker Joe Tate, of Detroit, jumps into US Senate race". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  15. ↑ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (November 15, 2024). "It's game on for one of the biggest races of 2026". The Downballot. Retrieved November 15, 2024. City Council member Mary Waters, for her part, told Aguilar that she has 'not considered [running for mayor] at all'
  16. ↑ Barrett, Malachi (May 7, 2025). "Detroit's 2025 election candidates". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  17. ↑ Aguilar, Louis (June 3, 2025). "Detroit mayor's race gets big front runner, tight battle for second, poll finds". The Detroit News . Archived from the original on June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Nichols, Nina (May 17, 2025). "New Detroit mayoral poll signals Sheffield, Kinloch, Craig are top contenders". Bridge Detroit. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  19. ↑ Multiple sources:
  20. ↑ Robinson, Sam (July 14, 2025). "Detroit Regional Chamber Backs Durhal for Mayor Ahead of Primary". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Frank, Annalise (May 19, 2025). "Endorsements Pour In For Detroit Mayoral Hopefuls As Candidates Participate In Forums". Axios . Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  22. ↑ Cynova, Sabrina (July 15, 2025). "Election Tracker: Durhal Gets Business Backing in Final Weeks of Mayoral Primary Race". Detroit Regional Chamber. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Lengel, Allan (May 25, 2025). "Two Big Labor Unions -- UAW and SEIU -- Endorse Detroit Mayoral Candidates". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 Curry, Ebony JJ (January 15, 2025). "Saunteel Jenkins Officially Announces Bid for Detroit Mayor". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  25. ↑ Fulton, Nick (August 4, 2025). "Against Gay Marriage as Pastor, Defender of LGBTQ+ Rights as Mayor?". Sojourners . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  26. 1 2 "Michigan Chronicle Endorsement: Detroit Deserves a Real Race. Let It Be Between Saunteel Jenkins and Mary Sheffield". Michigan Chronicle . July 9, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  27. ↑ Junio, Cary; Vincent, Robyn (July 16, 2025). "Detroit News Endorses Saunteel Jenkins in Detroit Mayoral Race". WDET . Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  28. ↑ Han, Muno (August 4, 2025). "Sheffield Leads as Jenkins, Kinloch, and Durhal Battle for Second in Detroit's Mayoral Primary". WJR 760 AM. Retrieved August 5, 2025. (CONTINUED) Kinloch, who has earned endorsements from AFSCME 925, the UAW, and former Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence [. . .]
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barrett, Malachi (May 23, 2025). "How endorsements are shaping race for Detroit mayor". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  30. ↑ Davidson, Donna Givens; Bailey, Orlando P. (March 12, 2025). "Candidate Series: Vision for Detroit - From Pulpit to Politics with Solomon Kinloch (Transcript)". Authentically Detroit (Podcast). Event occurs at 41:19. Retrieved August 5, 2025– via Buzzsprout.
  31. ↑ Junior, Cary II; Ziyad, Nadia (July 9, 2025). "The Metro: The Black Slate endorses Detroit Pastor Solomon Kinloch for mayor". WDET-FM . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  32. ↑ Frank, Annalise (June 18, 2025). "Detroit Election Trail Mix: Still thinking about that debate". Axios . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  33. ↑ "AFSCME People Endorsements 2025". AFSCME Michigan 925. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  34. ↑ "2025 AFSCME Endorsement List". AFSCME Retirees Chapter 255. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  35. ↑ "UAW Endorses Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. for Mayor of Detroit". United Auto Workers . May 16, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  36. ↑ Manoogian, Mari (July 31, 2025). "The Next 50's 2025 Mayor Endorsements". The Next 50. Retrieved September 17, 2025– via Substack.
  37. 1 2 3 4 Barrett, Malachi (June 13, 2025). "Detroit's mayoral race focuses on experience, who growth left behind". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  38. ↑ Guillen, Joe (December 11, 2024). "Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield announces mayoral campaign". Axios Detroit . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  39. ↑ Afana, Dana (December 10, 2024). "Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield announces run for mayor". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  40. ↑ Barrett, Malachi (December 10, 2024). "Mary Sheffield kicks off campaign for Detroit mayor". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  41. ↑ Mackler, Jessica (June 11, 2025). "EMILYs List Endorses Three Democratic Pro-Choice Women in Mayoral Races". EMILYs List . Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  42. ↑ Gehart, Thomas M.; Pegg, Jeffrey M.; Cretu, Michael C.; Schwelder, Andrew K. (August 1, 2025). "DFFA Endorses Council President Mary Sheffield for Mayor of Detroit". International Association of Fire Fighters Local 344. Archived from the original on August 15, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  43. 1 2 Curtis, Paul (July 13, 2025). "Labor Lines Up Behind Sheffield in Detroit Mayoral Race". WJR 760 AM. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  44. 1 2 Paul, Curtis (July 13, 2025). "Labor Lines Up Behind Sheffield in Detroit Mayoral Race". WJR 760 AM. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  45. ↑ Thompson, Bankole (May 14, 2025). "Thompson: Unions flex muscles in Detroit mayor's race". The Detroit News . Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  46. ↑ SEIU Healthcare Michigan [@seiuhcmi] (May 13, 2025). "SEIU Healthcare Michigan is proud to join with our union siblings across SEIU Michigan to endorse Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield to be Detroit's next Mayor". Instagram . Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  47. ↑ UNITEHERE! Local 24 [@unitehere24] (August 4, 2025). "Great response on the doors in Detroit as Local 24 hotel and casino workers knock for Denzel McCampbell for City Council and Mary Sheffield for Mayor". Instagram . Retrieved August 4, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  48. ↑ "Here's the Free Press' pick for 2025 Detroit mayoral election". Detroit Free Press . June 29, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  49. 1 2 3 Frank, Annalise (June 13, 2025). "City Council Members Say What They Think About Endorsing Mayoral Candidates". Axios . Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  50. ↑ Afana, Dana; Barrett, Malachi (September 10, 2025). "Former rival Saunteel Jenkins endorses Mary Sheffield for Detroit mayor". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  51. 1 2 "Detroit Regional Chamber PAC Endorses Mary Sheffield for Detroit Mayor, Candidates for City Council". Detroit Regional Chamber PAC. September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  52. ↑ Afana, Dana (August 20, 2025). "Mike Duggan endorses Mary Sheffield for 2025 Detroit mayoral election". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  53. 1 2 Myrick, Svante (September 15, 2025). "People For the American Way Releases First Slates of Political Endorsements for 2025". People for the American Way . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  54. 1 2 Monique, Porsha (September 6, 2025). "Rev. Horace Sheffield on raising Detroit's next mayor". Rolling Out Next 25. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
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