Detroit Mayoral Primary Results
Detroit City Council Speaker Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinlock Jr. have advanced from the mayoral primary to the general election, moving on to challenge Mayor Mike Duggan in the upcoming race. This was reported by Decision Desk HQ early on Wednesday.
Duggan, a registered Democrat, has decided not to seek reelection as he intends to run an independent campaign for governor next year. The primary was open to all candidates regardless of party affiliation, meaning the top two candidates will face off in the November general election.
Although the primary was technically nonpartisan, it’s widely believed that the Democrats, given the city’s historical leanings, stand a strong chance as Republicans have not been elected in decades.
Sheffield and Kinlock emerged from a competitive field of nine candidates, which included former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, ex-City Council President Sontel Jenkins, and council member Fred Dural III. Craig was the only Republican candidate, following unsuccessful bids for both governor in 2022 and the GOP nomination for Senate in 2024.
Sheffield was considered an early frontrunner, raising over $800,000 in campaign funds this year. If elected, she would be the first female mayor of Detroit.
She garnered significant support from the Detroit Free Press editorial board and Emily’s List.
The competition for second place seems tighter, with several candidates positioned to challenge for that spot.
Many candidates acknowledged the progress Detroit has made during Duggan’s administration. Since taking office in 2014, after the city faced bankruptcy, Duggan has overseen a revival characterized by a balanced budget, declining crime rates, and a growing population.
Sheffield emphasized her experience in leading the city council and collaborating with Duggan, yet she noted the need for dialogue on how to sustain and spread the city’s revitalization efforts to more neighborhoods.
Kinlock serves as senior pastor at Triumph Church, a megachurch in Detroit that has expanded to seven locations and boasts 40,000 members. His campaign reportedly raised over $500,000, while Jenkins came in close behind, securing $430,000 in fundraising.
