Detroit’s mayoral election is in the home stretch. 

There’s less than three weeks left until the Nov. 4 general election, where voters will choose the first new mayor since 2014. City Council President Mary Sheffield is making her final case to voters as a proven leader who is ready to take Detroit into its next chapter. Her opponent, Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., argues poverty and violent crime remained too high under her watch and Sheffield didn’t prioritize resources toward those problems.

BridgeDetroit launched a new platform this year in collaboration with Detroit Is Different to hold in-depth conversations with candidates for mayor and City Council. Sheffield joined us on Oct. 9 for a long interview touching on a variety of topics about her leadership style, policy platform and commitment to transparency.

Kinloch was offered the same opportunity but canceled a previously-scheduled appearance, saying he would sit down for an interview following an Oct. 15 mayoral debate. He joined us for  previous interviews after he launched his campaign and during the Mackinac Policy Conference. Watch Sheffield’s pre-primary interview here.

Here’s what we learned from the latest conversation with Sheffield. 

1. She’s preparing for the transition to the 11th floor 

Nothing is certain until all votes are counted, but Sheffield said she’s starting to put together a transition team.

Sheffield said it’s “premature” to talk about who’s on the team, but she’s looking at national consultants who can help her develop short-term and long-term plans for her administration.

“Typically what happens is you have your transition team, you have certain areas of concern — whether it’s housing, public safety, economic development, infrastructure — and within the next 30 days these leading experts will create a 100-day plan, a one-year plan, and a four-year plan,” Sheffield said.

Sheffield said it’s unclear how much it will cost, but she’s confident her administration would have what it needs.

“We definitely want the best and the brightest here around me and our team,” Sheffield said. “We’re going to utilize whatever is in the existing budget that may be set aside for a transition to ensure that we are hiring the appropriate people to ensure that this next administration is successful.”

Duggan received $275,000 in city funds for his transition team in 2013. Detroit was under emergency management at the time, and Duggan’s “turnaround team” was focused on convincing the governor to return control to the mayor.

Duggan’s transition team was led by former Police Chief Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon and one-time mayoral opponent Lisa Howze, who later became members of Duggan’s cabinet. His transition team also included volunteers with expertise in various fields.

“If I was not thinking about it, I would not be responsible,” Sheffield said. “You have a very short time, from Nov. 4 to the end of the year, to get yourself ready.”

2. Philanthropies could help cover key home repair program 

Renew Detroit, a home repair program for 2,000 low-income seniors and residents with disabilities, may be one of Detroit’s most vital pandemic relief programs. 

Federal funding used to stand up the program won’t be available after 2026. Sheffield said she’s had productive conversations with hospitals and foundations who “are willing to step up to ensure that we sustain the level of support that we’ve been giving residents to date.”

The city used $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to cover roof and window replacements. There were 1,643 roof repairs completed by Aug. 1. Sheffield has emphasized home repair services during the campaign and secured $2 million in one-time funding to keep the program going for an additional year. 

“I’ve got a lot of our corporate partners, philanthropic partners, who are very eager to fill in as much as possible,” Sheffield said. “They are waiting to know who the next mayor is, what their priorities are and how they can be helpful. Everyone knows that home repair grants have always been a priority for me.” 

3. Sheffield says she’s no Duggan puppet 

Duggan’s endorsement of Sheffield raised some concerns from residents that he would continue to influence the city after leaving office at the end of this year, especially if his independent gubernatorial campaign is successful. Sheffield said that’s ‘“far from the truth.” 

“Everyone who has had the opportunity to watch me in my last 12 years on the City Council knows that I am the most independent voice that you could find,” she said. “I have challenged the mayor. I have stood by myself. I have pushed the status quo.” 

Sheffield noted that Duggan himself acknowledged they’ve had policy disagreements but decided to back Sheffield because of her experience and ability to move the city forward. 

“I do think Mayor Duggan has done a great job,” Sheffield said. “I’m going to lead in a different way, but I’ve learned a lot from him and I’m excited to move forward in my own way.”

Sheffield said she hasn’t “entertained any discussions around the governor’s race,” when asked whether she would reciprocate Duggan’s endorsement by supporting his mayoral campaign. 

4. Jeezy concert controversy was ‘learning experience’

Sheffield’s opponent seized on reporting that found she asked Comerica Bank for concert tickets as what he called part of a pattern of troubling behavior. Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett said Sheffield didn’t break any ethics rules because the bank isn’t doing business with the city, but the incident drew attention to possible gray areas and loopholes in the law. 

“It definitely was a learning experience for me, and while I’m very confident that corporation counsel indicated correctly that it was not a violation, I heard from several other people who said the ethics ordinance in general probably should just be tightened up so that we don’t have any question as to what should or should not happen,” Sheffield said. “That’s something that we should all look into, and I’m excited to do that as well.” 

The City Charter prohibits public servants from accepting all gifts or items of value from any person or company that is doing business with the city, seeking to do business, seeking action from the city or “has interests that could be substantially affected by the performance of the public servant’s official duties.” Sheffield’s campaign said the tickets were given to two community members. 

Sheffield said she’s tried to strengthen oversight agencies like the Board of Ethics. She led passage of an ordinance that increased funding from $591,195 in Duggan’s budget proposal to $899,788 in the final budget  for oversight agencies each year. 

“I’m very proud of that work, and because of that, I do foresee that they will be able to increase salaries, get technology, equipment and things that they need to be effective in their roles,” Sheffield said.

5. Sheffield is trying to make friends in Lansing 

Maintaining a strong relationship with the Michigan Legislature is an important part of the mayor’s role. State lawmakers have heavy influence over allocating resources to Detroit and shaping policies that have wide impacts on residents. 

Sheffield said she’s made connections with members of the Detroit delegation during her 12 years on the City Council. She’s trying to get on Republican House Speaker Matt Hall’s “good side,” as he leads one chamber of the Legislature. 

Hall has had a rocky relationship with Democrats lately. He drove a controversial House budget proposal that contained massive cuts and nearly led to a state government shutdown. Hall also led a walkout of House Republicans and Democratic state Rep. Karen Whitsett at the end of 2024 that spiked several bills championed by the Detroit caucus.  

Sheffield said she’s been in contact with Hall’s team but didn’t have much to say about the state of their relationship so far.

“We know who each other are and we both are going to have to work with each other to get things done for Detroit,” she said. 

Sheffield wants to reform property taxes by exploring local option taxes on downtown entertainment that would require authorization from the Michigan Legislature and voters. She’s also exploring ways to remove state preemption laws that prevent Detroit from adopting rent control, setting labor standards and other local ordinances. 

“It is my intent to ensure that I continue to build on those relationships through our lobbyists and ensure that we also have an additional liaison that’s working in the state,” Sheffield said. “I am prepared and ready to find common ground with whomever is in office, whether you’re on the left or on the right. I know that there are some common things that we can all agree on to be able to move the city forward.” 

6. Sheffield says it’s ‘my job’ to keep the National Guard out of Detroit 

President Donald Trump has not included Detroit so far in American cities where he is deploying the National Guard and increased immigration enforcement, and Sheffield said her job is to ensure it stays that way.

“I am going to remain focused on doing whatever I can to prevent the national troops from coming,” Sheffield said. “That includes having a comprehensive and coordinated approach to how we address public safety, one that is rooted in strong partnerships with law enforcement and community.” 

Sheffield joined Duggan, Detroit law enforcement officials and representatives of the ATF, DEA and other federal agencies earlier this month to celebrate continued declines in crime. She said the city is “still far too unsafe,” but partnerships with community violence intervention groups and federal agencies are paying off. Bringing in the National Guard is unwarranted, she said. 

“The National Guard would not help anything,” Sheffield said. “If anything, I think it would make it worse.

“A lot of people say it’s inevitable. I try to think more optimistically. I know that Detroit is a target. I know that urban leadership and those who are leading, who are African Americans, are a target of Donald Trump. But ultimately, I am just trying to be more optimistic in my belief that if we continue the route that we’re going, highlighting our partnerships with law enforcement and community and driving crime down, we won’t have to worry about it.” 

7. Who should take her City Council seat? Sheffield leaves it to voters

Sheffield hasn’t endorsed a successor on the City Council representing District 5, and declined the opportunity when I asked. Sheffield said she’s had “favorable conversations” with Renata Miller and has known Willie Burton through his work on the Board of Police Commissioners. 

“Ultimately the residents are going to decide that particular seat,” Sheffield said. “I am going to ensure that whoever is in that seat, we have a good working relationship. That’s important to me. The mayor cannot do anything without a strong City Council partnership. So I want to be respectful of the process.” 

Sheffield endorsed Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero in her District 6 campaign for reelection against state Rep. Tyrone Carter. Sheffield hasn’t weighed in on any other council races so far. 

“I’ve heard more favorable things from my District 5 residents wanting Reneta Miller,” Sheffield said. “But I have not had the opportunity to get intimately involved in the race, and I’m going to work with whoever is elected in that seat.”