Mary Sheffield Wins, Becomes First Woman Elected Mayor of Detroit

Sheffield’s victory comes after she served on Detroit City Council for the past 12 years.
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Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield
Photograph courtesy of Rise Higher Detroit

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield defeated Rev. Solomon Kinloch and has made history as the first woman elected Mayor of Detroit.

Sheffield was projected as the winner by the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press around 9:20 pm with about nine percent of precincts reporting. At that time, over 55,000 votes were counted, with Sheffield receiving 78.19 percent of the vote and Kinloch receiving 21.81 percent of the vote.

Once 100 percent of precincts reported their results, that wide margin remained. Sheffield received 77.43 percent of the vote, and Kinloch received 22.57 percent of the vote.

Sheffield, who has spent the past 12 years serving on Detroit City Council, will succeed Mayor Mike Duggan. She won the primary in August with 51 percent of the vote in a field of nine candidates. In that primary, Kinloch received 17 percent of the vote.

Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield’s Victory Speech

Before a packed crowd at MGM Grand Detroit with many family, friends, and campaign staff behind her on stage, Sheffield said, “To every Detroiter that is watching tonight, whether you voted for me or not, I am here to listen to you, to fight for you, and to serve you. Because, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: A Detroit that works for everyone.”

Sheffield later added, “Tonight our city adds another chapter to its great history. Throughout Detroit’s 324 year history, 75 mayors have led this city. Not one has been a woman. But tonight, Detroit, we know that changes. And you changed it Detroit!”

Prior to her victory speech, Sheffield shared with reporters, “I am told, it was the largest margin in the history of the city of Detroit. I feel like today was a mandate by our city. Everyone is going to have a seat at the table with this administration”

Kinloch’s Concession Speech

Kinloch held his election watch party at the Garden Theater. In his concession speech, he continued to bring a call to action to his supporters.

“Despite all the poli-tricks and politics, if this campaign don’t do nothing else, I want it to accomplish at least one thing, to make sure that you understand that you cannot afford, at this crossroad, to sit on the sideline,” said Kinloch. “This city is in trouble and we need you to stand up and step up more than ever before.”

Kinloch added, ” … All this says tonight is that we still got a lot of work to do. I want to make it clear tonight that Solomon Kinloch and the Kinloch family ain’t going nowhere. For 27 years, I fought for you as the senior pastor of Triumph Church, and I want you to know that that fire just got reignited because for the rest of my days, I’m going to keep on fighting for the citizens of the great city of Detroit. I love you and God bless you, my sweet Detroit.”

Reactions to Mary Sheffield’s Historic Win

Many officials were quick to congratulate Sheffield on her victory. Mayor Duggan said in a statement, “Congratulations to mayor-elect Mary Sheffield! She ran an outstanding campaign and will do a great job running the city of Detroit. Our city’s progress is in very good hands and I know she and her team will make sure it not only continues, but expands.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared in a statement, “Congratulations to Mary Sheffield for being elected the next Mayor of Detroit. Our city is home of one of the greatest comeback stories in the country, defined by hard work and grit. I look forward to working together to build on our incredible progress and keep making our city a great place to live, work, and invest.”

Sen. Elissa Slotkin said in a statement, “Congratulations to Mary Sheffield on her historic election as Detroit’s next mayor! Detroit is entering a new chapter, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the Mayor-elect to continue Detroit’s amazing comeback.

Mayor-elect Sheffield will be sworn into office on Jan. 1.

 
 




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