Election Day 2025 results show current Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield will defeat the Rev. Solomon Kinloch in Detroit’s 2025 mayoral election and become the first woman to hold the city’s top job.
Polls closed in Detroit at 8 p.m. and results started coming in shortly after. We’re giving you a glimpse of what happened at the election headquarters of each candidate. Follow along below.
Kinloch offers advice, not concession to Sheffield
After giving his speech, Kinloch shook hands, hugged and took photos with his supporters, who generally radiated smiles and continued dancing, despite his loss in the race. He told the Free Press he expects to recalibrate after this election to figure out ways to advocate for issues that matter to him.
“The issues I talked about during this campaign, they’re not going anywhere. The best way for us to bring resolution and come up with solutions is to collaborate and work together,” Kinloch said.
The pastor has yet to call Sheffield to congratulate her, adding that the race was not yet called while he was on his way to his event.
“I do look forward to talking to her and so many others that have been either re-elected or been elected to office. Because at the end of the day, whatever our differences may be, and how different our perspectives may be, the common goal, I think, that we all have…is that we love the people of this city,” Kinloch said. “We made the race more human and that’s a conversation that needs to continue…not just about policies and politics, and poli-tricks, but we humanized this. This is about people.”
His advice for Sheffield is to be an inclusive mayor.
“We can’t just be a mayor for downtown. We can’t just be a corporate mayor, and an establishment mayor,” Kinloch said. “We gotta make sure that we’re dealing with the fact that 51% of our children — the majority of our children — are in poverty. We’ve got to do things that sometimes may not be profitable, but put people above the profit. We’ve got to be fiscal, but we’ve got to be fair.”
— Dana Afana
Kinloch: The election may be over, but the movement is still going on
Ahead of Kinloch’s speech Tuesday night where he appeared to accept the results, campaign staffers continued to hype up the crowd, singing “We rockin’ with Kinloch,” getting the crowd to dance and set the stage for Kinloch, who lost the election. Despite results — unofficially 78% for Sheffield and 22% for Kinloch with 68% of the vote counted — Kinloch’s son was dancing and singing along, shaking hands and hugging supporters with smiles along the side of the room before his father walked in.
Kinloch and his family took the stage with wide grins and to grand applause from the crowd.
“Where are my Detroiters at?!” They crowd roared and clapped. He proceeded to give his respects to God and his parents, whom he sought to make proud.
“I know my identity, because I know my name they assigned me, I carry it with integrity and dignity,” Kinloch said.
He took a moment to celebrate his family on stage, his wife Robin — who blew kisses to the crowd cheering her on — and their son Kadin, and thanked his Triumph Church family.
“To the city of Detroit, I love you and ain’t nothing you can do about it,” Kinloch said. “When I got in this race, I didn’t get in for the privilege and the powerful. I didn’t get in because I needed a job. I didn’t get in to satisfy greed, but I got in to meet the needs of the people.”
Kinloch added that he has no regrets, despite scrutiny and criticisms he faced. Though he said he knows his calling, which was not “to be comfortable.”
“I was called to sometimes go through a crisis so other people can be celebrated. I’m willing to be inconvenienced so other people can be inspired. I’m willing to suffer and sacrifice so somebody else can be saved,” Kinloch said. “Despite all the poli-tricks and politics, if this campaign don’t do nothing else, I want it to accomplish at least one thing, to make sure that you understand that you cannot afford, at this crossroad, to sit on the sideline. This city is in trouble and we need you to stand up and step up more than ever before.”
Kinloch entered the race to push priorities, including affordable housing, reducing crime and boosting safety. He also took aim at the lack of voter engagement in the city, which has been a years-long issue for Detroit.
“That’s a fight that does not end. The election may be over, but the movement is still going on,” Kinloch said with emphasis, drawing a big applause. He added that he will still fight for things like quality education for children, affordable housing and investing in neighborhoods.
“All this says tonight is that we still got a lot of work to do. I want to make it clear tonight that Solomon Kinloch and the Kinloch family ain’t going nowhere. For 27 years, I fought for you as the senior pastor of Triumph Church, and I want you to know that that fire just got reignited because for the rest of my days, I’m going to keep on fighting for the citizens of the great city of Detroit. I love you and God bless you my sweet Detroit.”
— Dana Afana
Mary Sheffield makes history as Detroit’s first woman mayor
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield made history Tuesday night, Nov. 4, becoming the city’s first woman mayor in an election she led from start to finish.
The Associated Press and CNN called the race for Sheffield, who defeated the Rev. Solomon Kinloch, Jr., pastor of Triumph Church, celebrating Tuesday night with hundreds of friends, family and supporters at a glitzy event at MGM Grand Detroit. Kinloch’s team watched the results from the Garden Theater. At 9:22 p., Sheffield was far ahead, 78% to 22%.
The 12-year city council veteran was the first mayoral candidate to form a committee in the race — two years before the election — to succeed Mayor Mike Duggan, who is opting to run for governor as an independent rather than seek a fourth term. She cruised to victory in the August primary, collecting 51% of the vote to Kinloch’s 17% in a crowded nine-way contest.
Sheffield, who was viewed as the front-runner early on, vastly outraised Kinloch, pulling in approximately $2.8 million over the campaign cycle to his approximately $790,000. She drew top-dollar donations from political action committees, business executives and other local leaders, and eventually won Duggan’s endorsement after the Aug. 5 primary. Kinloch’s donors list included many small, individual contributors, with a few executives and parishioners of his estimated 40,000-person mega-church. He also was endorsed by the UAW.
Watch replay: Mary Sheffield victory speech
The laughs are rolling at Kinloch HQ
Coco the Comedian kicked off telling the crowd, “I rock with Kinloch,” and cracked jokes about church goers and dating.
Speaking highly of Triumph Church, Coco said she likes the church, but it needs one little boost.
“Y’all need just three more young men…I just need one, 45- maybe 50-year-old young man, that got all his essential teeth,” Coco said. “Don’t take it personal, older men. I love y’all, but y’all do stuff I don’t understand,” Coco said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“You got your pants rolled way up like this,” she gestured to her waist, “like a firefighter. I don’t like that sir. And I’m sitting behind you and you colored your hair jet black. I’m talking, your hair is Bruce Lee black. And if you’re sweating, there’s little black lines running down your neck.”
Though she humorously told women they aren’t so innocent.
“Y’all need to quit lying to these men, talking about you want honesty…take that body shaper off,” Coco said.
Coco continued to draw applauses and laughs while talking about women showing up to church in high heels and lace.
“I see my ladies with that lace…you’re looking at me, I’m looking at that lace… ma’am you 68,” Coco said.
All jokes aside, she capped off her skit sharing a message about creating history in Detroit this election season.
“We will be able to tell our children and our grandchildren the story of the changes that we have actively been a part of in our amazing city of Detroit. We’ve been boots on the ground, and we rock…with Kinloch,” Coco said, garnering thunderous applause and cheers.
Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist also made a brief appearance at the party.
— Dana Afana
Sheffield supporters waiting on the gavel to pass
The vibe is ebullient inside the MGM Grand Ballroom as a crowd of hundreds bops and mingles in front of a backdrop of a digital screen bearing Mary Sheffield’s face and campaign slogan.
On stage, a DJ has swapped R&B hits for a more upbeat mix of the Gap Band’s “Early in the Morning,” Mary J Blige’s “Just Fine,” and 803Fresh’s “Boots on The Ground” as a small crowd has started hustling on the dance floor before him. Friends, family and top donors of Sheffield’s are seated at tables in two roped off VIP areas flanking the stage.
Deborah Lavioletta, a lifelong Detroiter and 73-year-old pharmaceutical representative, was seated on a media podium, swaying to the music behind two younger women dancing enthusiastically at a cocktail table.
“I’m feeling wonderful,” Lavioletta said. “Excited we have our first female mayor for Detroit, because I know she’s going to win tonight.”
Lavioletta has not been involved in, nor donated to Sheffield’s campaign, but came to Tuesday’s election party in the hopes of “seeing the gavel passed” to what would be the first female mayor in the city’s 324-year history.
It’s a long time coming, Lavioletta said — and necessary.
“Because women rock. We make the world go round. We are kind, we are loving, we’re warm, we are focused,” and, she said, she sees that in Sheffield, too.
Big Sean is expected to perform and Mary Sheffield is to take the stage at 10 p.m.
— Violet Ikonomova
Kinloch campaign still cooking
Polls have closed, while the DJ is blasting “Do I Do” by Stevie Wonder and took the mic to remind the crowd the “food trucks are outside.” Supporters are lining for chicken and fish — courtesy of the Kinloch campaign — and the Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks game is playing on the big screen before speeches begin.
Polls are beginning to report early results with Sheffield in the lead by 75% and Kinloch at 24%, though Kinloch’s supporters are enthusiastically calling for his win and waving fans with his campaign slogan.
While waiting in line at the food trucks in a decorated alley outside the theater, Cheryl Major chanted: “In it, to win it!” while hugging and patting backs with other supporters enthusiastic about Kinloch’s night.
The westside Detroit resident of 25 years said she has run Children’s Spa for Children with Disabilities, an organization offering support services for kids, and Kinloch has been “a big part of our program, fighting for those who have disabilities. Our community really needs someone to care about people,” Major said.
“The win is the most important thing…but I’m in it to win it with a chicken wing in my hand,” Major said.
Lola George, who took the stage to hype up the crowd, had them roaring Kinloch’s name before announcing Coco the Comedian would take the stage.
“Who you rock with?”
“Kinloch!” the crowd chanted.
— Dana Afana
Mary Sheffield grabs early lead
Early results are starting to come in in the Detroit mayoral race: With 30 of 430 precincts reporting, Mary Sheffield is leading the Rev. Solomon Kinloch, 75% to 24%.
‘Classy, laid back, cool’
A shoulder-to shoulder crowd is listening to Michael Jackson and old school R&B hits as caterers snake through with hors devours in the hall outside of the MGM Grand Ballroom, where Mary Sheffield’s election night party was to begin at 8 p.m.
Of the vibe, Toya Mason, a 53-year-old standing at a cocktail table in “buffs” eyeglasses called the vibe: “Classy, laid back, cool — The whose who’s are in the house.”
The gardner who works for the Chandler Park Conservancy, said she supports Mary Sheffield because she represents “Black woman power.” Mason said Sheffield inspired her to donate to a political campaign for the first time. Over the past year, she said she “was always giving donations” and attending Sheffield events.
Christopher Curtis Green, 41, and decked out in a red suit, red shoes and sunglasses, said he has supported Sheffield, the council representative for his district — District 5 — since she was first elected as the youngest-ever councilmember 12 years ago, at age 26. He said he worked under her father, the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, as an assistant minister for two years.
Green says he likes Sheffield for her sincerity and connection with the community. He says he’s hopeful Sheffield will grow the city’s arts and culture initiatives. “She has an understanding that Detroit is all about music and I think she will help make Detroit a music mecca. And of course other things — jobs and all of that.”
Both Mason and Green are confident the race will be called quickly for Sheffield, who has been a frontrunner in the race.
Of the likelihood Sheffield will become the city’s first woman mayor, Green said: “I hope she understands how strenuous that’s going to be, because people hate women — for nothing. I’m understanding, everybody ain’t understanding.”
— Violet Ikonomova
Kinloch campaign stage is set
Doors have opened for Kinloch’s watch party at the Garden Theater in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. Staffers were busy finishing setting up the stage with a big “Kinloch for Mayor” banner at the center of it, and a DJ blasting “Feels so Right” by Janet Jackson.
Dozens of supporters, all smiles, were pouring in, rocking their “Kinloch for Mayor” shirts, munching on customized treats matching his campaign colors — navy and yellow — and snapping photos in front of a campaign banner before the pastor takes the stage to address the crowd.
Monique Harris, a northwest side resident, called Kinloch a humble “giver for the community” who helps everyone, and hopes to see him win.
“He’s for the people, he wants to make sure that everybody is included, not just certain individuals,” Harris said, adding that she likes his priority to invest in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
Campaign staffers told the crowd to take advantage of incoming food trucks, which will be parked outside, before soaking up the night’s festivities.
Kinloch is expected to arrive close to 9 p.m.
— Dana Afana
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Who won Detroit mayor election? Sheffield defeats Kinloch; updates from both HQs
Reporting by Dana Afana and Violet Ikonomova, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
