City Council President Mary Sheffield is throwing her name into next year’s Detroit mayoral race. She formally announced her candidacy Tuesday night with a roughly hour-and-a-half long event at a union hall in Corktown.

Beyond continuing Detroit’s business growth, Sheffield says improving neighborhoods would be one of her focuses if elected mayor. She feels qualified to tackle issues that matter to communities, after spending the last decade representing the 5th District on city council.

“The affordable housing that I’ve done, the Responsible Contracting (Ordinance), the Neighborhood Improvement Fund are all initiatives that I was passionate about and I was able to approve,” Sheffield said.

While Sheffield is proud of her time as council president, she says she wants to create her own legacy separate from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. He recently announced he’ll step aside after his current term ends to run for governor of Michigan.

Sheffield, who has been a member of city council since 2014, says she knows her legacy in politics is linked with the current mayor. While she’s proud of what they’ve accomplished working together, Sheffield noted that they do share differences.

“We’ve not always agreed on everything,” she said. “I think that is what you’ll begin to see as I move forward, some of the things that I’m more passionate about that he may not have been.”

Sheffield says property tax reform and affordable housing are two of the key issues she’d tackle if Detroit voters elect her next year.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield is expected to announce her political future at a union hall in Corktown Tuesday night.

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She has formed an exploratory committee — the first step most candidates take before declaring their intentions to run for mayor. It allows them to raise money and hire staff.

Four other potential candidates are exploring a run for mayor, including former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, Detroit Councilman Fred Durhal III, State House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), and businessman Joel Hashiim.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced his plans to run for governor as an independent last week — just a few weeks after his announcement that he won’t be seeking reelection as mayor of Detroit.

The Detroit mayoral election will take place Nov. 4, 2025.

Other headlines for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024:

• Some Detroit homeowners should expect an updated winter tax bill in the mail this week, after more than 100,000 property tax bills sent to homes with a Principal Residence Exemption were incorrect because they didn’t reflect the exemption from a recent voter approved school operating millage. 
• After two years of closure for renovations, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle has reopened to the public. 
• The Accounting Aid Society is looking for volunteers for the 2025 tax season. No experience required. 
• Kemeny Recreation Center is hosting a training session on Saturday, Dec. 14, for those interested in learning about autism. The training will take place from 11 a.m.-noon at Kemeny,  2260 S Fort St., Detroit. For more information, call 313-628-2819.

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