Mary Sheffield Aims to Be Detroit’s First Female Mayor with Housing Focus

Detroit, Michigan — Mary Sheffield, the city’s current City Council president, is running to become Detroit’s first female mayor. Her campaign is heavily focused on housing for single-mother-led households.

Sheffield launched her campaign after serving alongside Mayor Mike Duggan during his 12 years in office. She won the primary election in August by more than 30 points and is expected to secure victory in the general election.

The need for stable housing hit home after the tragic deaths of two children, Darnell Currie Jr., 9, and A’millah, 2, due to carbon monoxide poisoning in February. Their mother, Tateona Williams, sought help months earlier but felt overwhelmed navigating the homeless-response system.

City officials have emphasized the necessity for faster responses to such crises. Sheffield, who became the youngest council member elected at 26, has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between policy and community needs.

“For me, the government owes people more than policies; it owes presence, compassion, and accountability,” Sheffield said. Born in Detroit, she learned about public service from her father, Rev. Horace Sheffield III, a respected civil rights leader.

Sheffield’s advocacy work includes the city’s right-to-counsel ordinance passed in 2022, which provides free legal representation for low-income residents facing eviction. “It’s about keeping families together, supporting our youth, and creating stability,” she stated.

Since the ordinance was enacted, more than 12,000 households have received legal representation, significantly improving tenant outcomes in eviction cases.

Sheffield’s platform also includes plans for neighborhood empowerment hubs, combining housing, job placement, and mental health services. “Stable, affordable housing is the foundation for everything else,” she stated, underscoring the connection between housing insecurity and broader social issues.

The candidacy of Mary Sheffield symbolizes a pivotal moment for Detroit as she aims to establish policies that prioritize empathy and community support, especially for vulnerable families. “When we secure housing, we secure the foundation for opportunity, dignity, and long-term growth,” she concluded, reflecting on the impact her policies could have on the city’s future.