Sheffield and Kinloch Set for Historic Showdown in Detroit Mayor's Race

If elected, Sheffield would become Detroit's first female mayor in the city's history. The 37-year-old fourth-generation Detroiter has served on City Council since becoming the youngest person elected to the body at age 26. She currently serves as Council President and chairs the Planning and Economic Development Committee. (Photo by Montez Miller/Tell Us USA News Network)

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	Kinloch, 51, brings a different profile to the race. Since becoming senior pastor of Triumph Church in 1998 at age 24, he has grown the congregation from 44 members to a regional network of 35,000 members across eight locations spanning from Detroit to Flint. (UAW Photo)
	Analysis: Sheffield and Kinloch Set for Historic Showdown in Detroit Mayor's Race City Council President faces megachurch pastor in November election that could make history Wendell Bryant - Local/State/Politics Tell Us Detroit News DETROIT - Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and megachurch pastor Solomon Kinloch will square off in November's general election for mayor, setting up a contest between political experience and community leadership that could reshape the city's future. Sheffield dominated Tuesday's primary with 50.82% of the vote, while Kinloch secured second place with 17.37%, positioning them as the final two candidates to succeed three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who is stepping down to run for Michigan governor in 2026. The matchup presents Detroit's 518,000 registered voters with a clear choice between Sheffield's decade-plus of political experience and Kinloch's track record of community building through his expansive church network. A Historic Opportunity If elected, Sheffield would become Detroit's first female mayor in the city's history. The 37-year-old fourth-generation Detroiter has served on City Council since becoming the youngest person elected to the body at age 26. She currently serves as Council President and chairs the Planning and Economic Development Committee. "Mary Sheffield represents both continuity with the progress we've made and the fresh leadership Detroit needs," said one political observer, noting her deep roots in the city and extensive policy experience. Sheffield's campaign has centered on neighborhood reinvestment, land justice, and equitable economic growth. She has also emphasized the need to find new revenue streams to replace potential federal funding cuts, particularly for housing, public safety, and transit services. The Challenger's Vision Kinloch, 51, brings a different profile to the race. Since becoming senior pastor of Triumph Church in 1998 at age 24, he has grown the congregation from 44 members to a regional network of 35,000 members across eight locations spanning from Detroit to Flint. His campaign platform includes ambitious goals: building 10,000 affordable housing units, establishing ten new grocery stores to address food deserts, and creating a training center for jobs paying $35 per hour. "The central question facing Detroit is whether our revival has become what we have dreamed and imagined," Kinloch has said, positioning himself as the candidate to accelerate the city's recovery. The Path Forward The primary results give Sheffield a significant advantage heading into the general election, with her more than 30-point margin suggesting strong citywide support. However, Kinloch's extensive community connections through his church network could provide formidable grassroots organizing power. Both candidates will be competing to continue Detroit's growth trajectory under Duggan while addressing ongoing challenges around housing affordability, economic development, and federal funding uncertainties. The race represents a fundamental choice for Detroit voters: institutional political experience versus community leadership, continuity versus change, and establishment connections versus grassroots mobilization. November Stakes With Duggan's departure, Detroit faces a transition moment as the city continues its recovery and seeks to build on recent progress. The election will determine who leads that effort and whether Detroit will make history with its first female mayor. The general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.