Photo: David Rodriguez ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
MEET THE CANDIDATE:
Saunteel Jenkins, a Detroit native, began her public service career after earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Wayne State University. Her early life was shaped by the loss of her brother to gun violence, an experience that has influenced her long-standing advocacy for safer communities.
In 2009, she was elected to the Detroit City Council, where she eventually served as Council President. After her time in public office, Jenkins became CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), focusing on utility assistance for working-class families.
PODCAST:
January 15, 2025 ~ Former Detroit City Council president Saunteel Jenkins announced her candidacy for Mayor of Detroit yesterday, and chats with Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie about how to keep the momentum going in the city.
(CONTINUED) In 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and underwent months of treatment before being declared cancer-free. Her personal and professional experiences have included leadership roles, health adversity, and community service involvement.
Jenkins is now a candidate in Detroit’s 2025 mayoral race.
WHAT SAUNTELL JENKINS STANDS FOR:
Saunteel Jenkins is running for mayor with a focus on rebuilding Detroit’s neighborhoods, improving public safety, and ensuring economic opportunity reaches every corner of the city.
Neighborhood Revitalization: Jenkins proposes creating Strategic Master Plans for each of Detroit’s seven districts to guide development, expand affordable housing, and stabilize communities through lower property taxes.
Public Safety: Drawing from her background in social work and personal experience with gun violence, she supports community policing and violence intervention programs that build trust and prevent crime.
Economic Development: Her plan includes revitalizing commercial corridors, supporting small businesses, and requiring city contractors to hire Detroit residents to ensure economic growth benefits local communities.
Education and Youth: Jenkins advocates for district-based education hubs modeled after the Marygrove campus, offering cradle-to-career services that support children and families from early learning through job readiness.
Transit and Connectivity: She supports the development of a unified regional transit system to better connect Detroiters to jobs, education, and services across the metro area.
Leadership and Accountability: Her campaign emphasizes collaboration, investment, and transparency as essential tools for rebuilding trust and delivering results for Detroit’s residents.
VIDEO:
760 WJR TOP DETROIT MAYORAL RACE STORIES:
