Mary Sheffield Elected as Detroit's First Female Mayor

Wed Nov 05 2025 12:17:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mary Sheffield, City Council President, wins the mayoral election against Rev. Solomon Kinloch, making history as the city's first woman to hold the office.

City Council President Mary Sheffield has been elected as Detroit’s new mayor, defeating well-known pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch in the general election. Sheffield, who will assume office in January, promises to continue the city's progress post-bankruptcy and focus on public safety and education. Her victory represents a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead Detroit, succeeding three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who is transitioning to a gubernatorial run.

DETROIT (AP) — Mary Sheffield, the City Council President, has made history by becoming Detroit’s first female mayor after defeating Rev. Solomon Kinloch in Tuesday’s general election.

Sheffield will take office in January, succeeding three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who has decided not to run for reelection as he gears up for a campaign for the Michigan governorship.

Sheffield's election comes as Detroit has been experiencing a period of recovery following its exit from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in 2014. Under Duggan’s leadership, who took office in 2014, city services improved significantly, including faster police response times and effective blight removal initiatives.

During Duggan’s tenure, Detroit has maintained balanced budgets for 12 consecutive years and has seen a reduction in violent crime, with the city boasting historically low numbers. The population of Detroit, which faced sharp declines over decades, is gradually increasing, with recent estimates indicating a population of 645,705.

Sheffield and Kinloch, both Democrats, advanced to the general election after the primary, where Sheffield received nearly 51% of the vote compared to Kinloch's 17%.

Elected to the City Council in 2013 at just 26 years old, Sheffield has been serving as the council president since 2022. She is committed to enhancing education, public safety, and community development in her mayoral role. “My commitment, Detroit, is to build on the foundation that has been laid working with Mayor Duggan and our council by expanding opportunities and strengthening our neighborhoods,” Sheffield stated during a campaign event.

Kinloch acknowledged his defeat in a brief speech, emphasizing the need for community involvement in the city’s growth and sustainability. He reiterated that development must impact all Detroit neighborhoods, not just the downtown area.

As Detroit prepares for this new chapter, Sheffield's leadership will be pivotal in shaping the future of the city.