2025 Detroit mayoral election

2025 Detroit mayoral election

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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.

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]

• Jonathan Barlow, businessman (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[3]
• James Craig, former chief of the Detroit Police Department (2013–2021) and candidate for governor in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024 (party affiliation: Republican) ^[4]
• Fred Durhal III, city councilor from the 7th district (2021–present) (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[5]
• Joel Haashiim, businessman (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[6]
• Saunteel Jenkins, former president of the Detroit City Council (2013–2014) from the at-large district (2010–2014) (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[7]
• Solomon Kinloch Jr., senior pastor of Triumph Church (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[8]
• Todd Perkins, attorney (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[9]
• Mary Sheffield, president of the Detroit City Council (2022–present) from the 5th district (2014–present) (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[6]
• DaNetta Simpson, retired cosmetologist, niece of Elijah Muhammad, and perennial candidate ^[10]

Write-in candidates

• Arnold Boyd, businessman ^[11]
• Rogelio Landin, Michigan state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens ^[10]

Declined

• Mike Duggan, incumbent mayor (2014–present) (running for governor) ^[1]
• Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present) (party affiliation: Democratic)(running for governor) ^[12]
• Portia Robertson, CEO of Focus: HOPE, member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, and candidate for Michigan's 13th congressional district in 2022 (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[13]
• Joe Tate, state representative from the 10th district (2019–present) and former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[3] (running for U.S. Senate; withdrawn) ^[14]
• Mary Waters, at-large city councilor (2022–present) and candidate for Michigan's 13th congressional district in 2024 (party affiliation: Democratic) ^[15] (running for re-election) ^[16]

Primary election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	James Craig	Fred Durhal	Saunteel Jenkins	Solomon Kinloch	Todd Perkins	Mary Sheffield	Other	Undecided
Glengariff Group [17] [A]	May 27–29, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	9%	2%	8%	14%	4%	38%	3% [b]	22%
Target Insyght [18]	May 4–7, 2025	400 (RV)	± 5.0%	19%	2%	7%	25%	5%	32%	1% [c]	10%
Douglas Fulmer & Associates [19]	February 16–20, 2025	400 (RV)	± 5%	20%	2%	12%	5%	4%	34%	2% [d]	21%

Endorsements

Fred Durhal III

Federal officials

• Sandy Baruah, CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber and former Administrator of the Small Business Administration (2008–2009) ^[20]

Local officials

• Kevin Coleman, mayor of Westland (2023–present) and former state representative from the 25th district (2019–2023) ^[21]
• Tim Greimel, mayor of Pontiac (2022–present) and former minority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives (2013–2017) from the 29th district (2012–2019) ^[21]
• David LaGrand, mayor of Grand Rapids (2025–present) and former state representative from the 75th district (2016–2023) ^[21]
• Andy Schor, mayor of Lansing (2018–present) and former state representative from the 68th district (2013–2018) ^[21]

Organizations

• Detroit Regional Chamber PAC ^[22]

Saunteel Jenkins

Local officials

• Dave Bing, former mayor of Detroit (2009–2014) ^[23]
• QuanTez Pressley, at-large appointed Detroit Police Commissioner (2022–present) ^[24]

Party officials

• Jerron Totten, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus (2025–present) ^[25]

Individuals

• Christine Beatty, former Chief of Staff of the Mayor of Detroit's office (2002–2008) ^[24]
• Carla Walker-Miller, businesswoman and Henry Ford Museum trustee (2020–present) ^[24]

Newspaper editorial boards

• Michigan Chronicle editorial board (co-endorsement with Sheffield) ^[26]
• The Detroit News editorial board ^[27]

Solomon Kinloch

U.S. representatives

• Brenda Lawrence, former U.S. representative from Michigan's 14th congressional district (2015–2023) ^[28]

County officials

• Jonathan Kinloch, Wayne County Commissioner from the 2nd district (2021–present) and 4th Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (2019–present) (candidate's brother) ^[29]
• Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor (2004–present) ^[8]

Local officials

• Anthony Adams, former deputy mayor of Detroit (2002–2008) and runner-up for mayor in 2021 ^[18]
• Ralph Godbee, former police chief of the Detroit Police Department (1987–2012) ^[29]
• Reneé Hall, former chief of the Dallas Police Department (2017–2020) and former Chief deputy of the Detroit Police Department (2014–2017) ^[30]
• Kandia Milton, former deputy mayor (2008) and acting mayor of Detroit (2008) ^[31]

Individuals

• Shawn Fain, president of United Auto Workers (2023–present) ^[23]

Party chapters

• 12th Congressional District Democratic Party ^[32]
• 13th Congressional District Democratic Party ^{[e] [29]}

Labor unions

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Michigan Chapter 925 ^[33] and Retirees Chapter 255 ^[34]
• United Auto Workers Region 1 and Region 1A ^[35]

Todd Perkins

Municipal officials

• Richard Hathaway, former Wayne County Treasurer (2015–2016) and former 3rd circuit court judge (1985–2004) (campaign committee leader) ^[29]

Mary Sheffield

Statewide officials

• Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota (2019–present) and former U.S. representative from MN-05 (2007–2019) ^[23]

State legislators

• Mari Manoogian, former state representative from the 40th district (2019–2022) ^[36]

Local officials

• Nicholas Hood III, former city councilor from the 3rd district (1994–2002) and 2001 mayoral candidate ^[37]
• Greg Mathis, former 36th judicial district court judge (1995–1998) and television court show arbitrator on Judge Mathis ^[38]

Party officials

• Keith Williams, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus (2018–present) and former Wayne County Commissioner from the 6th district (2003–2010) ^[29]

Individuals

• Melissa Butler, beauty entrepreneur ^[39]
• Benjamin Crump, civil rights attorney ^[23]
• Nick Rathod, founder of State Innovation Exchange (campaign advisor) ^[40]
• Marvin Winans, gospel singer and pastor ^[37]

Organizations

• EMILY's List ^[41]

Labor unions

• International Association of Fire Fighters Local 344 ^[42]
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58 ^[43]
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council #43 ^[44]
• Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1191 ^[37]
• Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council ^[44]
• Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters ^[43]
• Service Employees International Union Michigan ^[45] and SEIU Healthcare Michigan ^[46]
• UNITE HERE Locals 24 ^[47] and 1191 ^[37]

Newspaper editorial boards

• Detroit Free Press editorial board ^[48]
• Michigan Chronicle editorial board (co-endorsement with Jenkins) ^[26]

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

• Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus ^[29]

Debates

2025 Detroit mayoral primary election debates

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					Craig	Durhal	Jenkins	Kinloch	Perkins	Sheffield
1	May 29, 2025	Detroit Regional Chamber	Stephen Henderson Nolan Finley		P	P	P	P	N	P
2	June 16, 2025	WDIV-TV AARP Michigan	Jason Colthorp		P	N	P	P	N	P
3	June 21, 2025	Daily Detroit Eastside Community Network Outlier Media	Orlando Bailey Donna Givens Davidson Jer Staes		A	P	P	A	P	P

Results

Nonpartisan primary results ^[50]

Candidate		Votes	%
Mary Sheffield		43,597	50.7
Solomon Kinloch		14,900	17.3
Saunteel Jenkins		13,738	16.0
Todd Perkins		4,603	5.4
James Craig		4,458	5.2
Fred Durhal III		2,902	3.4
Jonathan Barlow		707	0.8
DaNetta Simpson		538	0.6
Joel Hashiim		349	0.4
Write-in		228	0.3
Total votes		86,020	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Mary Sheffield, president of the Detroit City Council (2022–present) from the 5th district (2014–present)
• Solomon Kinloch Jr., senior pastor of Triumph Church

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Solomon Kinloch	Mary Sheffield	Other	Undecided
Glengariff Group [51] [B]	October 16–18, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	14%	65%	1%	20%

Post-primary endorsements

Mary Sheffield

2025 mayoral candidates

• Fred Durhal III, city councilor from the 7th district (2021–present) ^[52]
• Saunteel Jenkins, former president of the Detroit City Council (2013–2014) from the at-large district (2010–2014) ^[53]

Federal officials

• Sandy Baruah, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration (2008–2009) ^[54]

Local officials

• Mike Duggan, outgoing mayor of Detroit (2014–present) ^[55]
• Svante Myrick, former mayor of Ithaca, New York (2012–2022) ^[56]
• Gabriela Santiago-Romero, city councilor from the 6th district (2022–present) ^[57]

Individuals

• Juanita Bynum, gospel singer and pastor ^[58]
• Horace Sheffield III, pastor and talk show host (candidate's father) ^[58]

Organizations

• Detroit Regional Chamber PAC ^[54]
• People for the American Way ^[56]

Newspaper editorial boards

• Detroit Free Press ^[59]
• The Detroit News ^[60]

Debate

2025 Detroit mayoral general election debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					Kinloch	Sheffield
1	October 15, 2025	WXYZ-TV	Carolyn Clifford Chuck Stokes		P	P

Results

General election results

Candidate		Votes	%
Mary Sheffield
Solomon Kinloch Jr.
Write-in
Total votes			100.00

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
2. Poll sponsored by The Detroit News and WDIV-TV

References

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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:
    • Lengel, Allan (February 21, 2025). "Poll Shows Detroit Council President Mary Sheffield With Commanding Lead in Mayor's Race". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
    • Curry, Ebony JJ (February 28, 2025). "Detroit's Poll is in as Voters Signal Who is Leading the Race for Mayor". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
20. Robinson, Sam (July 14, 2025). "Detroit Regional Chamber Backs Durhal for Mayor Ahead of Primary". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
21. 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. Lengel, Allan (May 25, 2025). "Two Big Labor Unions -- UAW and SEIU -- Endorse Detroit Mayoral Candidates". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
24. 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. "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. 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. 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. Curtis, Paul (July 13, 2025). "Labor Lines Up Behind Sheffield in Detroit Mayoral Race". WJR 760 AM. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
44. 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.
48. "Here's the Free Press' pick for 2025 Detroit mayoral election". Detroit Free Press . June 29, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
49. Frank, Annalise (June 13, 2025). "City Council Members Say What They Think About Endorsing Mayoral Candidates". Axios . Retrieved July 16, 2025.
50. "Election Summary Report August 5, 2025 Wayne County, Michigan OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Clerk. Charter County of Wayne Michigan. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
51. Aguilar, Louis (October 22, 2025). "Sheffield takes commanding lead over Kinloch in Detroit mayor's race, poll finds". The Detroit News . Archived from the original on October 22, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
52. Elrick, M.L. (September 22, 2025). "City council colleague and former Detroit mayoral rival endorses Mary Sheffield". Detroit Free Press . Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
53. Afana, Dana; Barrett, Malachi (September 10, 2025). "Former rival Saunteel Jenkins endorses Mary Sheffield for Detroit mayor". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
54. "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.
55. Afana, Dana (August 20, 2025). "Mike Duggan endorses Mary Sheffield for 2025 Detroit mayoral election". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved August 20, 2025.
56. 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.
57. Lengel, Allan (October 13, 2025). "Detroit Council Member Gabiela Santiago-Romero Endorses Sheffield For Mayor". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
58. Monique, Porsha (September 6, 2025). "Rev. Horace Sheffield on raising Detroit's next mayor". Rolling Out Next 25. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
59. Detroit Free Press Editorial Board (October 14, 2025). "Free Press endorses Mary Sheffield for Detroit mayor in Nov. 4 election | Editorial". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
60. "Detroit News Endorses Mary Sheffield For Mayor of Detroit". Deadline Detroit. October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Solomon Kinloch (D) for Mayor
• Mary Sheffield (D) for Mayor