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Mayoral election in Detroit, Michigan, 2025 (August 5 nonpartisan primary)
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Local ballot measures • Municipal • All local elections by county • How to run for office |
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| 2025 Detroit elections |
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| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: April 22, 2025 July 25, 2025 (primary write-in) October 24, 2025 (general write-in) |
| Primary election: August 5, 2025 General election: November 4, 2025 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: Mayor |
| Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections) |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2025 |
Solomon Kinloch and Mary Sheffield advanced in the nonpartisan primary for mayor of Detroit on August 5, 2025.
Bridge Detroit's Malachi Barrett wrote, "For the first time since he won the role 12 years ago, Mike Duggan will not be on the ballot for Detroit mayor. His term expires at the end of 2025, opening up a competitive contest to succeed him."[1] Though the position is nonpartisan, Duggan is an independent, formerly affiliated with the Democratic Party.[2] Detroit's last Republican mayor left office in 1962.[3]
James Craig was the former chief of Detroit's police department and ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Michigan in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024.[4] He campaigned on public safety, and said that residents "want police and they want more police, but that certainly doesn't mean that we need to exhaust the budget just for public safety. There has to be a balance."[5] Craig also said he wanted a third party to audit the city's finances, and said that if elected, he would "[b]ring in a firm that will not only report out on the health, but come back with recommendations."[6]
Fred Durhal, at the time of the primary, was a member of the Detroit City Council, a former Democratic state representative, and a community liaison to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.[7] He campaigned on his experience and said he was the only candidate in the race who had a "vast experience of being able to foster relationships and deliver here for the city of Detroit."[8] Durhal also said that he wanted to reform property taxes, and said he would "modernize [property] assessments by transitioning toward income-based assessments for commercial and residential rental properties, ensuring taxes are aligned with actual earning potential."[9]
Saunteel Jenkins was a nonprofit executive and was president of the Detroit City Council from 2013 to 2014.[10][11] She campaigned on affordability, and her website said she would "make lowering property taxes and housing affordability a top priority. We’ll work with our partners to create more affordable housing options for renters and owners."[12] Jenkins also campaigned to expand public transit, and said, "We should have a combination of traditional buses and shuttles that go shorter routes. You need transportation hubs around the city, not just Rosa Parks Transit Center, that can fulfill the needs of people throughout the city."[13] Jenkins was affiliated with the Democratic Party.[14]
Solomon Kinloch, at the time of the primary, was the pastor of the Triumph Church.[15] He campaigned on his lack of political experience, and focused on his experience as a pastor. He said, "It doesn’t matter how experienced you are if your experiences don’t change the experiences of the people in this city." He added, "When government didn’t show up and do their part, Solomon Kinloch and Triumph Church stood up."[16] Kinloch also campaigned on building new grocery stores in the city. He said, "I plan on building 10 strategically locator[sic] grocery stores and ending the food desert in Detroit forever."[17] Kinloch was affiliated with the Democratic Party.[14]
Mary Sheffield, at the time of the primary, was the president of the Detroit City Council.[18] She campaigned on developing less well-off neighborhoods, and her website said that further development had "to occur in neighborhoods, and resources must be made available to residents where they live, work, play and pray. Detroit cannot continue to be a tale of two cities."[19] Sheffield also campaigned on using community policing, and said she was "very big on community violence intervention programs, and possibly creating an office of gun violence prevention in Detroit. Creating more ways to address the underlying social issues that breed crime in our community."[20] Sheffield was affiliated with the Democratic Party.[14]
Deadline Detroit's Allan Lengel wrote, "It's always tough to say just how influential political endorsements are. That being said, they're still coveted and considered a prize worth working for." Most of the leading candidates received endorsements from organizations with local and national reach:
- Four mayors of other Michigan cities, including those from Grand Rapids and Lansing, endorsed Durhal.[21]
- The Detroit News' editorial board endorsed Jenkins, and the Michigan Chronicle's editorial board co-endorsed Jenkins and Sheffield.[22][23]
- The United Auto Workers, the Black Slate, and the 13th Congressional District Democrats endorsed Kinloch.[24][25][26]
- The Service Employees International Union Michigan and the Detroit Free Press's editorial board endorsed Sheffield. The Michigan Chronicle's editorial board co-endorsed Sheffield and Jenkins.[21][27][23]
Ballotpedia did not identify any public formal endorsements for Craig.
Jonathan Barlow, Joel Haashiim, Todd Perkins, and Danetta Simpson also ran.
Jonathan Barlow (Nonpartisan) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.
As of 2025, Detroit does not have term limits for the position of mayor. Mayors serve a four-year term.
Candidates and election results
Election results
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Mayor of Detroit
Solomon Kinloch and Mary Sheffield are running in the general election for Mayor of Detroit on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Solomon Kinloch (Nonpartisan) | |
 | Mary Sheffield (Nonpartisan) | |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Detroit
The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Detroit on August 5, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mary Sheffield (Nonpartisan) | 50.7 | 43,597 |
| ✔ | | Solomon Kinloch (Nonpartisan) | 17.3 | 14,900 |
 | Saunteel Jenkins (Nonpartisan) | 16.0 | 13,738 | |
| Todd Perkins (Nonpartisan) | 5.4 | 4,603 | ||
 | James Craig (Nonpartisan) | 5.2 | 4,458 | |
 | Fred Durhal III (Nonpartisan) | 3.4 | 2,902 | |
 | Jonathan Barlow (Nonpartisan) | 0.8 | 707 | |
| Danetta Simpson (Nonpartisan) | 0.6 | 538 | ||
 | Joel Haashiim (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 349 | |
| Arnold Boyd (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 42 | ||
| Rogelio Landin (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 10 | ||
| Kristopher Carter (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 2 | ||
| Joyce Jennings-Fells (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 2 | ||
| Angelo Brown (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Oneita Jackson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Winnie Imbuchi (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Jeremy Conn (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Lucinda Darrah (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Doris Anderson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Jonny Myles (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Lakeita Norwood-Brown (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 169 | ||
| Total votes: 86,020 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Michigan elections, 2025
August 5, 2025
November 4, 2025
Voting information
Detroit residents can check their registration and find their polling place from the Michigan Voting Information Center.
The following information comes from Bridge Detroit and Detroit Votes[28][29]:
- April 22: Filing deadline for candidates.
- April 25: Withdrawal deadline for candidates.
- July 25: Write-in candidate deadline for the primary election.
- July 26-August 3: Early voting takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Aug. 5: Election Day. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Candidate comparison
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I’m Jonathan Barlow, a lifelong Detroiter, entrepreneur, and public servant running for Mayor of Detroit. My work has spanned business, community development, and policy leadership—from crafting legislation and championing community benefits agreements to launching national initiatives for equity and economic growth. I’ve helped founders scale businesses, brought national investments into local neighborhoods, and led affordable housing efforts across the country. Through my “Let’s Talk Roundtable,” I’ve brought real people together—residents, business owners, and leaders—to solve real problems. My campaign is about execution, not empty promises. Detroit doesn’t just need another politician—we need a Winner. And I’m ready to finish the job."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Detroit in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Craig received a bachelor's degree in business management from West Coast University in 1995 and his master's degree in management and public administration from the University of Phoenix in 2010. Craig previously worked as a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department before becoming police chief in Portland, Maine, and, later, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Show sources
Sources: Detroit Free Press, "Ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig announces 'Hollywood Craig is back' in mayoral bid," March 12, 2025; ; LinkedIn, "James Craig," accessed July 10, 2025; Detroit Free Press, "Chief James Craig has broken racial barriers while mostly backing the status quo," September 15, 2021; MLive, "Watch James Craig, new Detroit police chief, in University of Phoenix commercial (with video)," May 14, 2013
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Detroit in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Detroit City Council (Assumed office: 2021)
- Michigan House of Representatives (2015-2019)
Biography: Durhal studied political science at Wayne State University from 2011 to 2013. He previously worked as district office manager for his father Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. (D), as a board member of the Dexter Elmhurst Community Center, and as community liaison for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Show sources
Sources: The Detroit News, "Q&A: Councilman Fred Durhal III says 'vast' experience makes him best choice for Detroit's next mayor," April 12, 2025; Fred Durhal 2025 campaign website, "DETROIT’S GROWTH PLAYBOOK: BUILDING FAMILIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND BUSINESS," accessed July 10, 2025; Axios, "Detroit mayor's race sit-down: Fred Durhal," February 18, 2025; LinkedIn, "Fred Durhall III," accessed July 10, 2025
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Detroit in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Detroit City Council (2010-2014)
Biography: Jenkins received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in social work from Wayne State University in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Her previous work experience included serving as chief of staff to councilmember Maryann Mahaffey, a businesswoman, and a nonprofit executive.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Detroit in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Kinloch graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor at Triumph Church. He served on boards such as the Belle Isle Conservancy and Black Male Educators Alliance.
Show sources
Sources: Bridge Detroit, "Detroit mayoral hopefuls clash over vision, experience at Mackinac debate," May 29, 2025; Click on Detroit, "Triumph Church Reverend Solomon Kinloch, Jr. announces campaign for Detroit mayor," February 20, 2025; Axios, "Detroit mayor's race sit-down: Solomon Kinloch," March 10, 2025; Bridge Detroit, "Pastor Solomon Kinloch announces 2025 bid for Detroit mayor," February 19, 2025
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Detroit in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Detroit City Council (Assumed office: 2014)
Biography: Sheffield received a bachelor's degree in public affairs from Wayne State University and a master's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University. She previously worked as a program specialist for the Wayne County Sherriff's office.
Show sources
Sources: Mary Sheffield 2025 campaign website, "Neighborhood Restoration," accessed July 10, 2025; Axios, "Detroit mayor's race sit-down: Mary Sheffield," January 28, 2025; Mary Sheffield 2025 campaign website, "Social Services Safety Net," accessed July 10, 2025; LinkedIn, "Mary Sheffield," accessed July 10, 2025; Detroit Metro Times, "Mary Sheffield lays out vision for a more equitable Detroit, if she runs for mayor," August 31, 2023
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Detroit in 2025.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.
You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:
Campaign ads
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for James Craig while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia researchers did not identify any candidate websites that provide endorsement information. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Election spending
Campaign finance information could be found at the Wayne County Campaign Finance System.
Mayoral partisanship
Detroit has a Democratic mayor. As of September 2025, 66 mayors in the largest 100 cities by population are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 23 are affiliated with the Republican Party, one is affiliated with the Libertarian Party, three are independents, five identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated, and two mayors' affiliations are unknown. Click here for a list of the 100 largest cities' mayors and their partisan affiliations.
Mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan in most of the nation's largest cities. However, many officeholders are affiliated with political parties. Ballotpedia uses one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder's partisan affiliation: (1) direct communication from the officeholder, (2) current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or (3) identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets.
Help inform our readers
Take our candidate survey
- See also: Survey
At Ballotpedia, we believe that everyone deserves meaningful, reliable, trustworthy information about their candidates. We also know that good information—especially at the local level—is hard to find. That's why Ballotpedia created Candidate Connection.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Our survey helps voters better understand how their candidates think about the world and how they intend to govern—information they need to feel confident they're picking the best person for the role.
If you are a candidate, take our survey here. Or you can ask a candidate to take the survey by sharing the link with them.
Submit endorsements
Endorsements can be particularly helpful for voters trying to decide between candidates in local races, which often feature nonpartisan candidates. Endorsements from individuals and organizations can help voters better understand policy differences between candidates in these cases where little or no other news coverage of policy stances exists.
Candidates, share endorsements here. Readers, share endorsements you know about here.
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Michigan elections, 2025
August 5, 2025
November 4, 2025
About the city
- See also: Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is a city in Wayne County, Michigan. As of 2020, its population was 639,111.
City government
- See also: Mayor-council government
The city of Detroit uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body and the mayor serves as the city's chief executive.[30]
Demographics
The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.
| Demographic Data for Detroit, Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Detroit | Michigan | |
| Population | 639,111 | 10,077,331 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 138 | 56,609 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 14.4% | 77.6% |
| Black/African American | 77.1% | 13.6% |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.2% |
| Native American | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% |
| Other (single race) | N/A | 1.3% |
| Multiple | 2.4% | 3.8% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 7.7% | 5.2% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 81.9% | 91.3% |
| College graduation rate | 16.4% | 30% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $32,498 | $59,234 |
| Persons below poverty level | 33.2% | 13.7% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
2025 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This is a battleground election. Other 2025 battleground elections include:
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections, 2025
- Seattle Public Schools, Washington, elections, 2025 (August 5 nonpartisan primary)
- Mayoral election in New York, New York (2025)
See also
| Detroit, Michigan | Michigan | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Bridge Detroit, "2025 Detroit Elections: Who is running for mayor," May 2, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "Detroit Mayor Duggan, a longtime Democrat, will run for Michigan governor in 2026 as independent," December 4, 2024
- ↑ Toledo Blade, "Detroit mayors all Democrats since 1962," July 28, 2013
- ↑ Bridge Detroit, "Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig launches 2025 mayoral bid," March 6, 2025
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig announces 'Hollywood Craig is back' in mayoral bid," March 12, 2025
- ↑ Axios, "Detroit mayor's race sit-down: James Craig," April 14, 2025
- ↑ Detroit Regional Chamber, "Fred Durhal III," accessed July 9, 2025
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Q&A: Councilman Fred Durhal III says 'vast' experience makes him best choice for Detroit's next mayor," April 12, 2025
- ↑ Fred Durhal 2025 campaign website, "DETROIT’S GROWTH PLAYBOOK: BUILDING FAMILIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND BUSINESS," accessed July 9, 2025
- ↑ Axios, "Nonprofit CEO launches campaign for Detroit mayor," January 15, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Saunteel Jenkins," accessed July 9, 2025
- ↑ Saunteel Jenkins 2025 campaign website, "Saunteel's Six Policy Priorities," accessed July 9, 2025
- ↑ Bridge Detroit, "Detroit mayoral candidates share views on transit future," May 2, 2025
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Detroit One Million, "Democratic rift over corporate influence, Gaza on display at Michigan convention," February 24, 2025
- ↑ Bridge Detroit, "Pastor Solomon Kinloch announces 2025 bid for Detroit mayor," February 19, 2025
- ↑ Bridge Detroit, "Detroit mayoral hopefuls clash over vision, experience at Mackinac debate," May 29, 2025
- ↑ Click on Detroit, "Triumph Church Reverend Solomon Kinloch, Jr. announces campaign for Detroit mayor," February 20, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Mary Sheffield," accessed July 9, 2025
- ↑ Mary Sheffield 2025 campaign website, "Neighborhood Restoration," accessed July 9, 2025
- ↑ Axios, "Detroit mayor's race sit-down: Mary Sheffield," January 28, 2025
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Axios, "Trail Mix: Endorsements, tension and a debate," May 19, 2025
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Editorial: Our primary election choice for Detroit mayor," July 2, 2025
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 The Michigan Chronicle, "Michigan Chronicle Endorsement: Detroit Deserves a Real Race. Let It Be Between Saunteel Jenkins and Mary Sheffield," July 9, 2025
- ↑ United Auto Workers, "UAW Endorses Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. for Mayor of Detroit," May 16, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Chronicle, "Black Slate Endorsements: Kinloch, McCampbell, Miller earn nods," July 8, 2025
- ↑ Click on Detroit, "Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. secures endorsement from 13th Congressional Democrats in Detroit mayoral race," May 19, 2025
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Here's the Free Press' pick for 2025 Detroit mayoral election | Endorsement," June 29, 202
- ↑ Bridge Detroit, "BridgeDetroit 2025 Voter Guide: How to participate in Detroit elections," May 26, 2025
- ↑ Detroit Votes, "Home page," accessed July 10, 2025
- ↑ Detroit City Charter, Sec. 5.101-107 and 4.101-122, accessed August 27, 2014 (dead link)
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