Former Detroit City Council president Saunteel Jenkins is considering running for mayor nearly a decade after leaving city government to lead a Detroit nonprofit.
Jenkins announced Tuesday morning that she is forming an exploratory committee for the 2025 race, which allows her to begin fundraising and evaluate the feasibility of her candidacy in anticipation of an official announcement. Jenkins, who served on the council during Detroit’s historic bankruptcy, told BridgeDetroit that the city is in a critical moment; whether Detroit will continue building positive momentum or backslide will depend on its leadership.
“Who our next mayor is matters,” Jenkins said. “That’s why I’m stepping into this. I believe I have something to give that can help all Detroiters thrive. Having been at the city council table during one of our most difficult times, I’m proud of what came out. I’m proud of the work we accomplished today because of it.”
Jenkins’ announcement has implications for Mayor Mike Duggan, who hasn’t said whether he will run for a fourth term amid widespread speculation that he will instead seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2026. Jenkins spoke highly of his tenure in the mayor’s seat since 2014 and said she reached out to Duggan, but hadn’t spoken with him as of Tuesday morning.
“He has done a great job of getting us past bankruptcy, making sure we stick to the Plan of Adjustment and putting good fiscal policies in place,” Jenkins said. “It could go either way if the wrong person gets into office. Credit rating agencies are watching us closely.”
City Council President Mary Sheffield created an exploratory committee in 2023 and began fundraising through this year but also hasn’t formally launched her campaign. Businessman Joel Haashiim also announced intentions to run for mayor but hasn’t filed a committee, according to Wayne County records.
Sheffield raised $51,048 through her campaign committee as of Aug. 27. Donations greater than $1,000 have come from several owners of construction contractors that have worked with the city, an Arab fashion store owner in Dearborn and her father, Rev. Horace Sheffield III. A spokesperson said Tuesday there’s no update on Sheffield’s plans for 2025.
Jenkins said she will “do my homework” and meet with Detroiters across the city to learn what they want to see in their next mayor. Jenkins named a few key issues she would focus on, including reducing crime, expanding affordable housing and home repair programs, improving public transportation and developing neighborhoods.
Jenkins said city planners need to work closely with neighborhood groups to add amenities that meet their specific needs, like grocery stores or dry cleaners. She also promoted a tougher stance on whether tax subsidies for development projects actually create the benefits promised to residents. The value of large tax breaks has been a common source of debate among the City Council and Duggan’s administration.
“It’s about making sure that when we’re offering incentives we put an agreement together that holds developers accountable for what they say they’re going to do,” Jenkins said. “If they’re going to bring 500 jobs, they must be held accountable for bringing 500 jobs in exchange for tax incentives provided.”
Jenkins was a chief of staff to former Council President Maryann Mahaffey. She was then elected to two terms on the City Council but resigned in 2014, less than a year after her second term started. Jenkins left the council to serve as the chief executive officer of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), where she’s remained since.
Jenkins said the experience has given her a better understanding of what families are facing, and “a greater sense of empathy, knowledge and respect.” Tax statements show the organization raised $12.5 million in 2022 and Jenkins was compensated $272,309.
Jenkins, a cancer survivor, said she’s also personally experienced some of the hardships facing Detroiters. Her brother Jovan Willis was shot and killed in a dispute over his jacket at the age of 14. She created a youth violence prevention nonprofit in honor of her brother.
Jenkins was the third Black woman to serve as council president, after Erma Henderson and Monica Conyers, and the first to be appointed to the role by her peers after the City Charter was changed. Brenda Jones was elected president after Jenkins, then Sheffield became the fifth Black woman in the role.
Jenkins was born and raised in Detroit, the oldest daughter of a mailman and sales associate at Hudson’s. She attended Detroit Public Schools, graduated from Cass Technical High School and received bachelor and master’s degrees in social work from Wayne State University.
Jenkins started Petite Sweets, a bakery and dessert catering company, and held positions with several nonprofit organizations, including Focus: HOPE, Mariners Inn Substance Treatment Center and Healthy Start. She worked as a community educator for Detroit Edison, a family therapist at the Boys and Girls Republic and was development director for a tutoring company.
“Detroit was once the city of dreams: Dreams that built the middle class, powered a nation, and put the world on wheels,” Jenkins said in her campaign announcement. “Those dreams – and the opportunities that came with them are the reason I’m standing here today. Every Detroiter deserves those same opportunities – and I’ll fight every single day to make Detroit the city of dreams once again.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let’s set the record straight. Government officials are sworn to uphold the Constitution, as dictated by 5 USC 3331, which emphasizes their oath of office. They are not entitled to place their policies above this sacred oath. The policies they create must align with the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, as well as with the principles enshrined in our Bill of Rights.
The government has a fundamental obligation to realign its practices to uphold what is right and just for all citizens. It must navigate and adjust its policies to respect our human rights. When the government fails in this duty, it constitutes a breach of contract, rendering it accountable for its actions.
Similarly, the courts must demonstrate their jurisdiction. Many are unclear whether they operate under maritime or land law, further complicating their legitimacy. As such, these courts also risk breaching their own contractual obligations and, therefore, must be scrutinized for their compliance with lawful processes.
In summary, our commitment to justice demands that both the government and the judiciary correct their course and honor the principles laid out in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I want to address a concerning trend where policy is increasingly taking precedence over the rule of law. Recent actions, including those endorsed by Vice President Harris, highlight a critical issue: the creation of policy that appears to prioritize short-term solutions over fundamental legal principles.
Vice President Harris recently announced a new initiative to offer car loans to those in need. While the intention behind such policies may seem beneficial, it underscores a troubling mindset—one that favors creating opportunities for individuals to remain in a cycle of debt rather than addressing the root issues. People are not seeking loans; they are seeking financial freedom and support that does not come with strings attached. This approach risks perpetuating the same problems it aims to solve.
Furthermore, our justice system faces significant challenges when it comes to the conduct of law enforcement. We continue to witness instances where police actions infringe upon citizens’ rights, even in cases where no physical abuse occurs. This is not just a question of police brutality; it is a matter of systemic respect for constitutional rights. It is unacceptable for law enforcement to impose fines or citations based on violations that are not explicitly defined by law. Such practices undermine the very foundation of justice.
In my own case, despite the absence of physical abuse, the fact that law enforcement’s actions infringe upon constitutional rights should warrant accountability. If police can issue fines and tickets without clear legal justification or victim involvement, then they too should face penalties for their actions. There should be no immunity for those who violate our rights, regardless of whether their misconduct results in physical harm.
We must demand that our policies and practices align with the principles of justice and accountability. We need a system where rights are protected and enforced consistently, and where any infringement by authorities is met with appropriate consequences.
Thank you.
James Chandler
Activist
Hello my name is Mr. Chandler I was calling for Miss Jenkins, I understand that she’s trying to run for mayor of Detroit she wanted to hear from Detroiters on our thoughts l. well I am an activist in Detroit Michigan who has started a petition 2024–202 of course you may not be able to find it but I can send it I sent it to an email if you can send me your email I can send it. I’m trying to get on the ballot. I may not get it on the ballot this year but hopefully next year on the ballot for holding the government accountable when they step on our rights constitutional rights this is about human rights and civil rights I want to point out the fact that the government has been violating 18 USC 3571 and 5 USC 3331 and the fact that debt doesn’t belong to we the people, it belongs to the government they still seem to pin the debt on us against 31 USC 3123 there are a lot of things that needs to be changed. All courts are in violation every day and they need to be shut down if not these people needs to be fined and penalized, along with the legislative branch executive branch and Judicial branch.