Guide to Detroit’s Mayoral Race: Meet the Nine Candidates

Nine candidates are vying to be Detroit's next mayor, focusing on safety, housing, and economic issues.
These 9 people want to be Detroit’s next mayor

This story was originally published by Outlier Media.

With Detroit’s mayoral race underway, nine candidates vie for the opportunity to lead the city, marking the first time in over ten years that a new face will assume the mayor’s office. As the election draws nearer, these candidates will need to win the support of voters by addressing key issues.

Outlier Media is committed to providing comprehensive election coverage, and we invite readers to share the topics they believe candidates should prioritize by contacting briana@outliermedia.org.

Here’s a snapshot of those contending for mayor, with all but one — Solomon Kinloch — having previously run for office. Current Mayor Mike Duggan has opted not to seek a fourth term, creating an open field for new leadership.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is not seeking a fourth term. Outlier Media’s Briana Rice joins Michigan Public to discuss the nine candidates running to replace him.

The candidates are focused on ensuring transparency, enhancing public safety, improving the transit system, and making Detroit more affordable. To hear more from them directly, follow Outlier Media on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for videos on their stance on key issues.

Responses from candidates have been edited for length and clarity.

Jonathan Barlow

Age: 40

Where did you grow up?
All over Detroit and Downriver.

Where do you live now?
Southwest Detroit.

Current occupation:
Founder of Let’s Talk Roundtable.

Family political background:
Barlow’s father held a seat on the Ecorse public school board, and his mother ran for Ecorse City Council.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“They’re not reaching every family. It’s that simple, and that’s because of the leadership across the board not really having designed atmospheres for conversation to collaboration. And so that’s what Let’s Talk Roundtable totally represents…”

James Craig

Age: 68

Where did you grow up?
Detroit’s westside.

Where do you live now?
Marina District on Detroit’s eastside.

Current occupation:
Retired.

Family political background:
No.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“Of course, public safety is always a top issue among Detroiters. I’m happy that on my watch (as police chief)…”

Fred Durhal III

Age: 41

Where did you grow up?
Detroit’s eastside and westside.

Where do you live now?
Detroit’s westside.

Current occupation:
City Councilmember for District 7.

Family political background:
Durhal’s father is a former state lawmaker.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“I would say property taxes, which leads to the wealth gap…”

Editor’s note:Detroit’s total millage for primary residences is about 67 mills…

Joel Haashiim

Age: 75

Where did you grow up?
Detroit’s eastside.

Where do you live now?
Northwest Detroit.

Current occupation:
Entrepreneur and wholesale distributor.

Family political background:
No.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“We have the threat of our schools being defunded. Our children and our grandchildren…”

Saunteel Jenkins

Age: 54

Where did you grow up?
Cody Rouge on Detroit’s westside.

Where do you live now?
Elmwood Park on Detroit’s eastside.

Current occupation:
Campaigning for mayor. Jenkins resigned in January from The Heat and Warmth Fund.

Family political background:
No.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“The most pressing issue that our next mayor has to look at is our finances because we have to ensure that we remain fiscally strong…”

Solomon Kinloch

Age: 51

Where did you grow up?
Detroit’s westside.

Where do you live now?
Downtown.

Current occupation:
Senior pastor at Triumph Church.

Family political background:
Kinloch’s brother Jonathan Kinloch is a Wayne County commissioner.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“I believe that the pressing issue is housing, but … we have to have an overall vision in order to deal with poverty…”

Todd Perkins

Age: 55

Where did you grow up?
North End on Detroit’s westside.

Where do you live now?
North End, in the same house his grandfather bought in the 1940s.

Current occupation:
Litigator and city attorney for Inkster. He also is a founder of local nonprofit The People’s Voice.

Family political background:
Perkins’ brother Sean Perkins is a 36th District Court judge.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“Public safety. It has to be, without a doubt…”

Mary Sheffield

Age: 37

Where did you grow up?
Sherwood Forest on Detroit’s westside.

Where do you live now?
Lafayette Park on Detroit’s eastside.

Current occupation:
City Council president.

Family political background:
Sheffield’s father Horace Sheffield unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Congress.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“My mission is really to create a destination city, a city that is full of opportunity…”

DaNetta Simpson

Age: 53

Where did you grow up?
Detroit’s eastside.

Where do you live now?
Detroit’s eastside.

Current occupation:
Retired cosmetologist.

Family political background:
No.

Pressing issue for Detroit:
“It’s neighborhoods and crime. … The neighborhoods I would develop in there…”

This story was updated to add videos of our interviews with each candidate. Solomon Kinloch declined our request for an on-camera interview.

This article first appeared on Outlier Media and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.


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