DETROIT (AP) — In a groundbreaking moment for the city, Mary Sheffield has been elected as Detroit’s first female mayor. Sheffield decisively won against the Rev. Solomon Kinloch in the recent general election held on Tuesday.
She is set to take office in January, succeeding three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who opted not to seek re-election and is instead running for Michigan governor.
Sheffield will step into her new role at a time when Detroit is witnessing significant transformation, following its exit from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in 2014. Under Duggan’s leadership since 2014, the city has improved its services, evidenced by better police response times and initiatives to eliminate blight.
Detroit has seen 12 consecutive years of balanced budgets, and the city’s crime rates have reached historically low levels, contributing to a population rebound; the U.S. Census recently estimated Detroit’s population at 645,705, reflecting an increase since earlier estimates.
Sheffield first entered politics by being elected to the City Council in 2013 at the young age of 26 and has served as council president since 2022. Her father, Horace Sheffield III, is well-known as an activist and pastor of New Destiny Christian Fellowship.
In her campaign, Sheffield emphasized the importance of education for Detroit’s children and pledged to further enhance public safety and improve life in neighborhoods. She stated, “My commitment, Detroit, is to build on the foundation laid... by expanding opportunities and ensuring progress for every block.”
In a gracious concession speech, Kinloch reinforced his standpoint that city investments should extend beyond downtown and reach all neighborhoods. He called for continued community involvement in local governance, emphasizing the need to address affordable housing and crime.
