Photo: Curtis Paul ~ WJR
DETROIT, Aug. 6, 2025 ~ Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield emerged as the clear frontrunner in Tuesday’s mayoral primary, securing 51% of the vote and earning a spot in the November general election against Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., who finished second with 17.6%.
Sheffield celebrated her win Tuesday night at the Cielo Rooftop Bar atop the Cambria Hotel in Downtown Detroit, where she addressed a jubilant crowd. “The victory tonight is not mine. It is ours. It belongs to every little boy and girl in this city who was told to dream small. It belongs to every neighborhood that has felt left behind.”
Her speech emphasized unity, experience, and a commitment to underserved communities. “Tonight is bigger than a win at the ballot box. It’s a turning point. Because tonight, Detroit chose experience, Detroit chose integrity, and Detroit chose people-centered leadership.”
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Aug. 5, 2025 ~ Detroit Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield delivered a victory speech Tuesday after securing 51% of the vote in the city’s primary. Speaking from the Cielo Rooftop Bar, she called for unity, integrity, and people-centered leadership ahead of her general election run against Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr.
(CONTINUED) Kinloch, senior pastor of Triumph Church, will challenge Sheffield in November. While Sheffield’s campaign focused on her 12-year record on City Council — including securing $1 billion in affordable housing investments and $40 million in home repair grants — Kinloch emphasized moral leadership and community inclusion. “The people in this city want to see the city thrive,” Kinloch said. “They just want to be included in that, and that’s what my candidacy is all about.”
The race now sets up a contest between two distinct visions for Detroit. Sheffield’s platform centers on policy experience, neighborhood investment, and youth engagement. Kinloch, meanwhile, brings a faith-based approach rooted in grassroots service and spiritual renewal. His church’s outreach programs and his personal story — from factory worker to pastor — have resonated with many Detroiters seeking change.
With 91 days until the general election, Sheffield made it clear that the campaign is far from over. “Tomorrow, we roll up our sleeves and go back to work,” she told supporters. “Our time is now to rise higher. Together we can. And together, we will.”
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