Mary Sheffield Elected as Detroit's First Female Mayor

Wed Nov 05 2025 09:12:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mary Sheffield has won the mayoral election in Detroit, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the city's history. She will take office in January, succeeding three-term Mayor Mike Duggan.

In a historic election, City Council President Mary Sheffield triumphed over Rev. Solomon Kinloch to become Detroit's first female mayor. Sheffield, who garnered nearly half of the primary vote, aims to enhance education, public safety, and neighborhood life. This transition follows Mike Duggan's announcement not to seek re-election after three terms, as he shifts focus to a gubernatorial campaign. Sheffield is poised to continue Detroit's positive trajectory post-bankruptcy, endorsing a vision for equitable development and community engagement.

DETROIT (PulseWire) — Mary Sheffield made history on Tuesday becoming the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, defeating prominent megachurch pastor, Rev. Solomon Kinloch. Sheffield's victory paves the way for new leadership starting in January, as she succeeds three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who decided not to pursue re-election to initiate a run for Michigan governor.

Sheffield rests on the improvements seen during Duggan’s tenure, which commenced in 2014 post-Detroit’s historic bankruptcy declaration in 2014. The past years have shown significant enhancements in city services, police responsiveness, and a reduction in crime rates, with violent crime rates hitting historically low levels.

The latest census revealed Detroit’s population now stands at 645,705, a Figure bolstered by a surge of nearly 12,500 residents in recent years. Both Sheffield and Kinloch were pivotal candidates in the city’s August primary, where Sheffield clinched approximately 51% of the votes.

Sheffield, who was first elected to the City Council in 2013, affirmed her commitment to prioritizing education for the city's youth, public safety, and improving neighborhood quality of life. She stressed collaboration with Mayor Duggan as fundamental to advancing Detroit’s progress.

Rev. Kinloch conceded gracefully, emphasizing the need for investments across all of Detroit, not just downtown. His advocacy for affordable housing and community-centric initiatives resonated throughout his campaign, urging residents to stay engaged with local governance.

Sheffield arrives at her new role amid optimism for continued growth and positive transformation for Detroit, with a focus on inclusivity and community development.