Mary Sheffield Makes History as Detroit's First Female Mayor

Wed Nov 05 2025 09:16:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mary Sheffield wins the Detroit mayoral election, making history as the first woman to lead the city. Sheffield will focus on revitalizing neighborhoods and continuing public safety improvements as she takes office in January.

Mary Sheffield has been elected as Detroit's new mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the position after defeating Rev. Solomon Kinloch in the general election. Sheffield, who will take office in January 2024, was previously the City Council President and has emphasized her commitment to enhancing education, public safety, and community development in Detroit. Her victory reflects a continuation of the city's progress following its recovery from bankruptcy, and she aims to ensure that improvements benefit every corner of the city.

DETROIT — Mary Sheffield has made history by winning the mayoral election, becoming the first female mayor of Detroit. She triumphed over popular megachurch pastor the Rev. Solomon Kinloch in a competitive race.

Sheffield, taking office in January, succeeds Mike Duggan, who has served three terms and is now seeking to be Michigan's governor. Known for her role as City Council President, Sheffield aims to continue the city's trajectory of improvement following its recovery from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

Throughout Duggan's administration, Detroit has seen significant advancements in city services, including improved public safety and changes in lighting and blight elimination efforts. The city has also achieved its twelfth consecutive year of balanced budgets and reported historically low crime rates.

The latest census data reported an increase in Detroit's population, indicating a revitalization trend for the once-struggling city. Sheffield and Kinloch were the top candidates from the city's August primary, with Sheffield securing nearly 51% of the votes.

Sheffield is committed to educating the youth of Detroit and enhancing living conditions in neighborhoods. She expressed her vision of building upon Duggan's successes and making sure the growth reaches every resident in the city. In her campaign, she emphasized the need for equity in investment across the board in Detroit.

After conceding the election, Kinloch called for continued civic engagement among Detroit residents, stressing that the city's revival must be inclusive. As the new administration prepares to take over, Sheffield is hopeful for a brighter future for all Detroiters.