News Summary
Detroit’s primary election saw Mary Sheffield, the City Council President, advance to the general election as the first female candidate for mayor. She secured approximately 50.82% of the votes, defeating Solomon Kinloch, who received 17%. The voter turnout was recorded at 16.9%, slightly improved from the last municipal election. Sheffield aims to address gun violence and improve housing conditions if elected. The general election is set for November 4.
Detroit held its primary election on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in the city’s political landscape as Mary Sheffield, the City Council President, advanced to the general election as the first female candidate for mayor. Sheffield secured approximately 50.82% of the votes, totaling 43,572 votes, ahead of Solomon Kinloch, a pastor, who garnered 17% of the votes, amounting to 14,893 votes. The primary’s voter turnout was recorded at 16.9%, slightly improved from the 14% turnout in the previous municipal election.
The general election is scheduled for November 4, where Sheffield and Kinloch will compete for the position of mayor. A total of #count# candidates vied for the role, with Sheffield’s victory margin over Kinloch standing at approximately 33%. Sheffield’s rise in the election comes amidst a backdrop of recovery for Detroit, as the city regains some economic footing following years of struggles.
This year’s primary had the highest turnout since Mayor Mike Duggan’s ascent as a write-in candidate over 12 years ago. Despite the overall turnout being low, Election Department officials reported a smooth voting process, with only minor issues such as a polling place relocation due to plumbing problems. Many voters opted for absentee ballots, contributing to lower in-person turnout in several precincts.
Other candidates in the mayoral race included Saunteel Jenkins, who was outpaced by Kinloch, and both Todd Perkins and James Craig, who each received around 5% of the votes. In District 5, Police Commissioner Willie Burton and UAW retiree Renata Miller will compete in the general election, while District 7 will be represented by either Denzel McCampbell or state Representative Karen Whitsett.
If elected, Sheffield plans to prioritize addressing gun violence, improving housing conditions, and enhancing city hall services. On the other hand, Kinloch intends to attract supporters from former candidates as he shifts his focus to the general election. Sheffield currently holds a financial advantage, having raised over $1 million for her campaign, compared to Kinloch, who received more than $200,000 from the 13th Congressional District.
Historically, no primary runner-up has succeeded in unseating the primary winner since 2009, which poses a challenging scenario for Kinloch as he moves forward. Additionally, while Detroit has seen positive changes, including an increase in home values for Black residents and a decrease in violent crime rates, the city still battles high poverty and unemployment rates, complicating its recovery efforts.
The election dynamics suggest a competitive race ahead as Sheffield’s campaign focuses on the aspirations of Detroit’s residents. Voters will have an opportunity to determine the direction of their city as the general election approaches.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times: Detroit Primary Election Results
- Detroit Free Press: Voter Turnout Summary
- Bridge Detroit: Takeaways from the Primary Election
- Washington Post: Detroit Mayor Primaries
- CBS News: Live Election Results
- Wikipedia: 2025 Michigan Primary Election
- Google Search: Detroit Primary Election 2025
- Google Scholar: Detroit Mayor Election 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Detroit Election
- Google News: Detroit Mayoral Election 2025
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
