WATCH: Sheffield says Jenkins left city 'at the worst of times'

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield said former council president Saunteel Jenkins left council "in the middle of the bankruptcy" in a room with Jenkins and seniors.

Mary Sheffield at the Pistons game Monday and Saunteel Jenkins at the Michigan Democratic Party convention Saturday. Photos: Chad Howell/ Samuel Robinson

City Council President Mary Sheffield told mayoral opponent and nonprofit leader Saunteel Jenkins while talking to seniors the former city council president left the city “at the worst of times” during Detroit’s bankruptcy.

The field of candidates running for Detroit mayor feels settled one week after the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. put the other seven candidates on notice, bringing more than 3,000 supporters and members of his Triumph Church to Fox Theatre for his campaign kick-off event.

A growing tension between candidates became apparent this week thanks to a spirited interaction captured on video at senior apartments in Elmwood Park between Jenkins and Sheffield, who is viewed by most local politicos as the current frontrunner.

“…(Jenkins) did not receive the votes to become the president, one month later, she left the city at the worst of times during the bankruptcy and left to go work as a CEO,” Sheffield told the room. “You were in the middle of a bankruptcy, going through the worst of times.”

Jenkins cut Sheffield off as the current council president made the case against the former council president’s record amid the high stakes race.

“I’m sorry, I can’t let that stand,” Jenkins said in the video.