Detroit Mayoral Primary Race Held

Aug 8, 2025

by Liz Gullett

As MLC’s Communications and Social Media Manager, Liz Gullett keeps clients informed and up-to-date on the goings on in Lansing and the Capitol.

This Tuesday, Detroit residents voted in the primary election for the next Mayor of Detroit. Current Mayor Mike Duggan chose not to run for reelection, opting instead to run for governor in 2026. With approximately 645,000 residents, Detroit is the most populous city in Michigan, with a population more than triple that of the second largest city, Grand Rapids. As such, the city always has, and continues to, have a significant impact on the state. As the resurgence in the city continues to grow each year, all eyes will be on this race in November.

Candidates:

    • Nine candidates were running in the primary, including a former state representative, former Detroit City Council president, and the former Detroit Chief of Police.
    • Of those, two candidates will move forward to this November’s election: Mary Sheffield and Rev. Solomon Kinloch.

Mary Sheffield:

    • She received 50.68% of the vote.
    • Currently, she serves as the president of the Detroit City Council.
    • In 2013, at the age of 26, she was the youngest person elected to the Detroit City Council.
    • Additionally, Ms. Sheffield has been appointed to serve on the boards of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and the General Retirement System Pension Board.
    • Endorsements include:
      • The Detroit Free Press
      • Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus
      • SEIU Michigan

Rev. Solomon Kinloch:

    • He received 17.32% of the vote.
    • He’s served as the senior pastor of Triumph Church for 27 years.
    • The church has multiple campuses and more than 40,000 members.
    • Prior to becoming a pastor, Rev. Kinloch worked at the Chevy Gear and Axle plant.
    • Endorsements include:
      • Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence
      • The UAW
      • AFSCME Michigan 925

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Recent Posts

Senate Passes Voting Rights Act

Senate Passes Voting Rights Act

This week, along party lines, the Michigan Senate passed a package of bills establishing the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA), which aims to establish state-level voting protections. Key Points: Senate Bills 961 – 964 were introduced by Senators Darrin Camilleri...

Committee Considers Dynamic Pricing

Committee Considers Dynamic Pricing

This week, the House Regulatory Reform Committee heard testimony on two bills that would prohibit surveillance and dynamic pricing in Michigan. Key Points: House Bills 6098 and 6099 were introduced by Representatives Steve Frisbie (R-Pennfield Twp.) and Rylee Linting...

May Revenue Increases

May Revenue Increases

Michigan’s major taxes and net lottery revenue increased last month by 3.8%, totaling $2.7 billion. Projections for the month were approximately $368.4 million above the estimate adopted at the May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference. Key Points: General Fund...

Michigan Legislative Consultants

Michigan Legislative Consultants
110 W. Michigan Avenue
Suite 500
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.2560
517.372.0130 fax

1001 Woodward Avenue
Suite 500
Detroit, MI 48226

MLC is proud to be the Michigan member of NASL