DETROIT – The race for Detroit’s next mayor is looking crowded as at least seven candidates launched their campaign.
Current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in December 2024 that he is not seeking another term. Instead, he launched his campaign for Michigan’s governor as an Independent candidate.
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The Detroit Mayoral election will be held on Nov. 4, 2025.
Here’s a list of who’s running for Detroit’s mayor so far:
Mary Sheffield
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield announced her candidacy for mayor shortly after Duggan said he’s not seeking another term.
Sheffield talked with Local 4 about her ambitions of going from city council president to mayor.
“It’s really more of a greater reach and more of an impact I can have moving on to the mayor’s office,” Sheffield said.
Sheffield was elected to the city council in 2013.
“I truly believe we have to have compassionate leadership,” Sheffield said. “Someone who is experienced, who has been here, who has done the work, and knows the issues of Detroit.”
Read more here --> Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield announces candidacy for mayor
Saunteel Jenkins
Former City Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins announced her candidacy on Jan. 14.
Jenkins was elected as City Council President in 2009 and is now the CEO of the Heat and Warmth Fund or Thaw.
“For me this campaign is not just about electing a mayor. It’s about creating a city where dreams are nurtured,” said Jenkins in January. “Where neighborhoods are safe and thriving, and where every Detroiter has a chance to succeed. Because guess what? Detroit is not a comeback story. Detroit is a story about how we never left.”
Read more here --> Former Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins joins growing field in Detroit’s mayoral race
Fred Durhal
Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal announced his bid for mayor in January 2025.
“Detroit is my home and I have been honored to serve my community as an elected public servant for almost a decade,” said Durhal in a statement posted on his campaign website. “I worked tirelessly to deliver resources and opportunities to the city that I know and love. I fought for good jobs, safe streets and expanded opportunities so every hardworking Detroit family gets a fair shake at a good quality of life. Detroit has momentum on our side, and I’m excited to do my part to keep that positivity going, bring people together and build on our amazing partnerships in Detroit and across Michigan.”
Todd Perkins
Attorney Todd Russell Perkins announced his candidacy for mayor of Detroit on Jan. 20.
Perkins said the decision was made after much introspection and community engagement.
An exploratory committee assessed the feasibility and support for a campaign, continued engagement with community leaders, and gathered feedback from constituents to determine and help define his mayoral campaign.
“I am excited and compelled to pursue this opportunity because Detroit deserves strong and experienced leadership,” said Perkins. “The committee and my community engagement helped us better understand the issues, identify unmet promises, and define unfulfilled commitments that matter most and continue to impact our community. It will also help to define and determine the best path forward.”
Read more --> Attorney Todd Russell Perkins announces candidacy for Detroit mayor
Solomon Kinloch, Jr.
Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. submitted the maximum number of allowable nominating petitions to the Detroit Election Department, officially entering his name for the 2025 ballot.
Kinloch, the senior pastor of Triumph Church in Detroit, hand-delivered the signatures to the city’s election department, flanked by supporters.
He has served as senior pastor of Triumph Church for the last 27 years, growing it from 40 members to more than 40,000, making it one of the fastest-growing churches in the country.
Read more --> Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. officially enters 2025 Detroit mayoral race
James Craig
The former Chief of Police is taking another swing at politics.
James Craig officially announced his campaign for Detroit mayor on Wednesday, March 12, at Executive Cuts, a Black-owned barbershop on the city’s east side, in a show of support for small businesses.
After serving as Detroit’s police chief for eight years, Craig stepped down and ran for Governor in 2022. He filed as a write-in candidate after being disqualified from the Republican primary due to petition signatures.
Read more --> Former police chief James Craig joins crowded Detroit mayoral race
Joel Haashiim
Joel Haashiim, a businessman, is running for the next mayor of Detroit, aiming to focus on topics such as the city’s quality of life and restore integrity and trust in city government.
“21st Century Common Sense Leadership” is Haashiim’s campaign motto.
At 20 years old, he opened his first store called Brothers Party Store on 7 Mile and Hartwell. He later opened two more stores and then sold them to become a wholesaler and distributor.
“I have experienced and witnessed the many ups and downs our city has gone through,” he said on his campaign website. “It is with great responsibility that I step up to the plate as a true resident of our city. I understand what is needed for our city to come out of the mud and regain the Crown we once had. I won’t be able to do this without your help; this is about us and we. DETROIT…. WE ALL WILL HAVE A SAY in the revitalization of our great city.”
Jonathan Barlow
Jonathan Barlow is a graduate of Detroit Public Schools and attended Wayne State University. He has been an advocate for youth, families and entrepreneurs, as well as a youth paster at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church and coaches basketball at Renaissance High School.
According to his campaign website, he’s running for mayor because “Detroit deserves leadership that works for all of us—not just the few.”
If elected, he hopes to bring good-paying jobs, affordable housing, modernized city services and innovative technology solutions to Detroit.
