The 2025 Detroit mayoral election was held on November 4, 2025, to elect the next mayor of Detroit, Michigan. It was preceded by a primary election held on August 5, in which the two highest-placing candidates advanced to the general election. Municipal elections in Michigan are officially nonpartisan.
Incumbent mayor Mike Duggan was eligible to run for re-election to a fourth term, but declined, instead focusing on running in the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election. Mary Sheffield, the Democratic Party-affiliated president of the Detroit City Council going into the mayoral election, defeated the Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr., the senior pastor of a Detroit-based Charismatic Christian megachurch, in the November 4 general election.
Candidates Filed The deadline for candidates to file their paperwork to appear on the ballot was April 22, 2025. The following candidates filed by that deadline: Jonathan Barlow, businessman (party affiliation: Democratic) James Craig, former chief of the Detroit Police Department (2013–2021) and candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024 (party affiliation: Republican) Fred Durhal III, Detroit City Council member from the 7th district (2021–present) (party affiliation: Democratic) Joel Haashiim, businessman (party affiliation: Democratic) Saunteel Jenkins, former president of the Detroit City Council (2013–2014) from the at-large district (2010–2014) (party affiliation: Democratic) Solomon Kinloch Jr., senior pastor of Triumph Church (party affiliation: Democratic) Todd Perkins, attorney (party affiliation: Democratic) Mary Sheffield, president of the Detroit City Council (2022–present) from the 5th district (2014–present) (party affiliation: Democratic) DaNetta Simpson, retired cosmetologist, niece of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad, and perennial candidate
Write-in candidates Arnold Boyd, businessman Rogelio Landin, Michigan state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens
Declined Mike Duggan, incumbent mayor (2014–present): ran for governor as an independent candidate Garlin Gilchrist, Democratic incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present): ran for governor Portia Robertson, CEO of Focus: HOPE, member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, and candidate for in 2022 (party affiliation: Democratic) Joe Tate, Democratic state representative from the 10th district (2019–present) and former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives: running for U.S. Senate (withdrew) Mary D. Waters, at-large Detroit City Council member (2022–present) and candidate for in 2024 (party affiliation: Democratic): successfully ran for reelection the Detroit City Council
Primary election Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorJamesCraigFredDurhalSaunteelJenkinsSolomonKinlochToddPerkinsMarySheffieldOtherUndecided Glengariff Group May 27–29, 2025 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 9% 2% 8% 14% 4% 38% 3% 22% Target Insyght May 4–7, 2025 400 (RV) ± 5.0% 19% 2% 7% 25% 5% 32% 1% 10% Douglas Fulmer & AssociatesMultiple sources:February 16–20, 2025400 (RV)± 5%20%2%12%5%4%34%2%21%
Endorsements
Debates + 2025 Detroit mayoral primary election debates Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee Withdrawn Craig Durhal Jenkins Kinloch Perkins Sheffield 1 May 29, 2025 Detroit Regional Chamber Stephen HendersonNolan Finley 2 June 16, 2025 WDIV-TVAARP Michigan Jason Colthorp 3 June 21, 2025 Daily DetroitEastside Community NetworkOutlier Media Orlando BaileyDonna Givens DavidsonJer Staes
Results
General election Candidates Mary Sheffield, president of the Detroit City Council (2022–present) from the 5th district (2014–present) Solomon Kinloch Jr., senior pastor of Triumph Church
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorSolomonKinlochMarySheffieldOtherUndecided Glengariff Group October 16–18, 2025 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 14% 65% 1% 20%
Post-primary endorsements
Debate
+ 2025 Detroit mayoral general election debate Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee Withdrawn Kinloch Sheffield 1 October 15, 2025 WXYZ-TV Carolyn CliffordChuck Stokes
Results
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Solomon Kinloch (D) for Mayor Mary Sheffield (D) for Mayor