Sheffield's campaign banks on faith, experience and name ID

Detroit city council president Mary Sheffield made her formal announcement to run for mayor Tuesday night.

Mary Sheffield answers questions from reporters inside IBEW Local 58 following her announcement to run for mayor in 2025. Photo: Samuel Robinson

Detroit city council president Mary Sheffield offered a window into her “people’s” platform during her mayoral announcement event Tuesday night that featured high profile guests and performers.

Sheffield announced her plan to run for mayor at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58, one of the city’s more politically engaged unions, where she touted her labor background, saying she would help business thrive while ensuring residents and small businesses don’t get left out.

She says she would address root causes of violence, eliminate barriers to grow small business and increase access to capital, reduce property taxes for residents and business and cultivate a talented workforce through education and skilled trade and the high paying jobs of the future.

Former council president Saunteel Jenkins, city council member Fred Durhal III and Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate have all expressed interest in replacing Mayor Mike Duggan, who recently announced a bid for governor as an independent.

Sheffield has a name ID advantage among voters ahead of the August 2025 primary — getting yard signs and campaign materials into voters’ hands before anyone else sets her further apart for now. Sheffield’s name was the most recognized among the list of potential candidates when I stopped to talk to people about it walking down Woodward Avenue yesterday.