The day before Detroit’s primary election, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey told The Metro “less than five” polling places in the city have accessibility problems — and that her legal obligation includes ensuring entrances and voting machines are accessible.

This week, nonprofit advocacy organization Detroit Disability Power pushed back. The group disputed Winfrey’s claims, pointing to its 2025 survey of 167 polling locations. The findings, they say, reveal widespread barriers and raise serious concerns about Detroit polling place accessibility ahead of the November election. The audit of this year’s primary found that half of the surveyed polling locations had accessibility issues with entrances and doorways, and 70% had problems with Voter Access Terminals (VAT).

Eric Welsby, the policy director for Detroit Disability Power, joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to dispute Winfrey’s claims. He explained the persistent barriers for people with disabilities at Detroit polling locations and how this issue is not unique to Detroit.

Documented problems persist

During the 2021 election, disability advocates filed an ADA complaint saying key voting information, like where and how to vote, was inaccessible online for users of screen readers, affecting thousands of Detroiters. And, some polling locations across metro Detroit remain inaccessible to voters with disabilities.

The Metro contacted Clerk Winfrey’s office for comment, but received no response.

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Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

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The 2025 Detroit primary election has concluded, and now we have a two-person sprint to November’s general election to determine who will be the city’s next mayor. In this episode of MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow breaks down the results with WDET’s Russ McNamara (host of All Things Considered Detroit weekdays at 4 p.m.).

Plus, Gorchow and host Cheyna Roth discuss a shake-up in the Michigan Public Service Commision.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode: 

• Why was there a personnel change in the Michigan Public Service Commission?
• What does the Detroit mayoral race look like now that the primary is over?

Highlights

On Mary Sheffield’s majority

McNamara said Mary Sheffield’s clear lead in the mayoral primary results didn’t surprise him too much.

“It always seemed like Mary Sheffield, especially over the past couple of years, was being groomed as the heir apparent to Mike Duggan,” he said. “And nothing in the run-up to this election swayed my opinion on that. And then nothing in the results would shake that either.”

Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch now advance to November’s general election.

On Alessandra Carreon’s replacement

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently removed Alessandra Carreon, a clean energy advocate, from serving on the Michigan Public Service Commision, which regulates the state’s energy utilities monopoly. Whitmer replaced Carreon with Shaquila Myers, who critics call an industry ally.

Gorchow said the motive to remove Carreon is still unknown.

“The Governor’s press office has refused to answer questions about why Whitmer didn’t reappoint Carreon, saying only that she takes the appointments process seriously and there’s nothing that’s come out of these PSC meetings,” he said.

Besides Myers, the other two members of the PSC are Katherine L. Peretick and Chairman Daniel C. Scripps.

Detroiters cast ballots in primary election

Detroiters headed to the polls yesterday (Tuesday) for the city’s primary election.

In the race to become Detroit’s next mayor, City Council President Mary Sheffield led the field of nine candidates throughout the night, winning more than half the votes cast. Her victory was evident early, and the Associated Press called the race for her before 10 p.m. Sheffield spoke to her supporters at the Cambria Hotel, celebrating her clear victory.

“I believe our best days are ahead of us. The victory tonight is not mine. It is ours. It is ours. It belongs to every little boy and girl in this city that was told to dream small. It belongs to every neighborhood in this city that has felt left behind.”

Pastor Solomon Kinloch finished second in last night’s primary election.

He celebrated with supporters at the Roostertail. Kinloch says if he’s elected mayor of Detroit, he’ll focus on investing in everyone in the city.

“Detroit needs more than a manager of downtown development. We need moral leadership, someone who doesn’t just govern but serves putting people and their needs front and center in every decision.”

The race for second place was close and continued through the late-night hours. Kinloch beat former Council President Saunteel Jenkins by just over a thousand votes.

The two winners of the mayoral primary will face off against each other in the November general election. Incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan decided not to run for a fourth term. Instead, he’s running in 2026 as an independent candidate for governor of Michigan.

Additional headlines

Detroit City Council races take shape

The field of candidates is down to four in the race to become Detroit City at-large members—those elected across the whole city, not just within a district. Incumbents Mary Waters and Coleman Young led the voting. Challengers Janee Ayers and James Harris will also advance to the general election. The top two vote-getters in November will be elected to City Council.

In Council District 2, incumbent Angela Whitfield Calloway and Roy McCallister Jr. will face off in the general election.

Renata Miller and Willie Burton will vie for the council seat in District 5. And Denzel McCampbell and Karen Whitsett will compete in District 7.

Suburban mayoral primaries

Hamtramck residents cast their ballots in a mayoral primary Tuesday. The top two candidates were Adam Alharbi with 54 percent of the vote and Muhith Mahmood with 29 percent. They’ll face each other in the November general election.

Dearborn Heights voters selected Mo Beydoun and Denise Maxwell as the two mayoral candidates advancing to the November general election.

In Taylor, Tim Woolley and Herman Ramik were the top two vote-getters and will move on to the November ballot.

Pontiac voters chose Mike McGuiness and Kermit Williams to run for mayor in November. In Southfield, incumbent Ken Siver and challenger Sylvia Jordan will appear on the general election ballot.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield won a clear majority of votes in Tuesday’s mayoral primary. She’s now one of the two finalists for the top job in city government.

Sheffield says if she’s elected mayor, she’ll work to find new revenue streams to replace federal funding and invest it in areas that will continue the city’s growth.

“Where every Detroiter has a clear path to quality education… good paying jobs… and home ownership. And where strong pipelines in skilled trades and tech… gives our young people opportunity to build their future right here at home.”

Sheffield says she will also focus on re-invigorating Detroit’s neighborhoods, while investing in community policing and youth programs to create a safer city.

Detroit pastor Solomon Kinloch finished second in last night’s primary election.

He celebrated with supporters at the Roostertail. Kinloch says if he’s elected mayor of Detroit, he’ll focus on investing in everyone in the city.

“We’ll tackle poverty, attracting jobs that pay upward of $35 an hour, and make sure Detroit is trained and ready to be hired, we’ll invest in neighborhoods and not just downtown, because it’s not just about policy, but priorities that need to change.”

Former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins held on until the very end — before eventually coming in third in the primary for Detroit’s next mayor.

Detroiters cast their ballots during early voting and on August 5 to choose which candidates will move on to the general election in November. The primary results help shape the races for mayor, City Council, and other key local offices.

100% PRECINCTS REPORTING 
Last updated Aug. 6 at 8:52 a.m. 

Detroit Mayoral Race

City clerk says Trump’s election lies may be to blame

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey predicts voter turnout of between 13 and 18 percent for today’s primary elections. Typically, fewer people head to the polls in years without a presidential race. But Winfrey told WDET’s “The Metro” she blames the low numbers in part on former President Trump’s false claims that elections — including in Detroit — were rigged against him.

“When you as a leader of this great country say things like ‘Voting doesn’t matter… it’s not fair… they cheat,’ that would oftentimes lead to, I think, voter apathy,” said Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey.

Winfrey says only about 2,000 people voted early — despite early voting starting more than a week ago and ending Sunday. She says other cities across the country are seeing a similar trend.

“And we see all across the board that turnout is slow… that people are disinterested. But I also think that candidates also drive turnout. When people are excited about the candidate one way or the other… they show up and they show out,” Winfrey said.

The two highest vote-getters from today’s primary will move on to the general election in November. Mayor Mike Duggan is not seeking re-election and is instead running for governor.

Additional headlines

Detroit city races will narrow after today’s primary

Detroit City Council members Mary Sheffield and Fred Durhal will find out today if they’ll appear on the November ballot in the race for mayor.

Several other races will also narrow.

Seven candidates are on the primary ballot in Sheffield’s District 5. Four candidates are running in Durhal’s District 7.

In District 2, incumbent Angela Whitfield Calloway faces two challengers — former councilman Roy McAlister Jr. and State Representative Helena Scott.

Former councilwoman Janeé Ayers is among six candidates running for at-large seats against incumbents Mary Waters and Coleman Young II.

Michigan launches stipend program for behavioral health interns

Students studying for careers in behavioral health can now apply for state support while completing unpaid internships. The Behavioral Health Internship Stipend Program offers up to $15,000 to help cover living expenses and academic fees.

Those studying to become marriage and family therapists, behavior analysts, social workers, professional counselors, and psychologists may qualify.

More details and application information:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/legislationpolicy/workforce-access-and-grants-management-section/mi-bhisp

MOCAD hosts art-making, exhibits, and book club this week

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is offering several events this week for visitors of all ages.

Thursday:

• Summer studio hours from 3–5 p.m.

• Curator book club at 6 p.m. featuring Legacy Russell’s Black Meme, discussed by Associate Curator Isabella Nimmo.

Saturday, August 9 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.):

• Family Day — with gallery chats, art-making, and collaborative projects.

• Exhibit closing: Code Switch: Distributing Blackness, Reprogramming Internet Art

• Closing performance at 6 p.m.: All Faux Everythings, a sonic collaboration between artist Wes Taylor and Michael Demps.

More info: https://mocadetroit.org

Hannan Center exhibit celebrates artists who teach

The Hannan Center is showcasing a new exhibit titled Artists Who Teach and Their Students — part of its 100th anniversary season. The multigenerational show explores the connection between creating art and teaching it.

Curator and Gallery Director Richard Reeves says the exhibit gives teaching artists a much-needed space to show their own work.

REEVES: “A lot of times teachers are so busy doing the wonderful things they do — teaching our kids and adults — they don’t have time to be creative and do their own artwork. This gives them a space to show and express themselves.”

The Hannan Center is located at 4750 Woodward Avenue.
More information: https://hannan.org

Voters in Detroit face a defining choice in the August 5 primary election. But right now, fewer than 10% of registered voters have participated. Most of those ballots have been mailed in. In‑person early voting, which ended August 4, was minimal.

That is a little surprising this year, given Michigan’s no‑excuse absentee law, which voters approved in 2018. It lets anyone request a mail-in ballot without needing a reason.

This is also the city’s first competitive mayoral race in over a decade, with three-term Mayor Mike Duggan running for governor of Michigan. In other words, it’s a pivotal chance for leadership change. But turnout, so far, doesn’t yet reflect this moment.

Meanwhile, voter accessibility has been a question. During the 2021 election, disability advocates filed an ADA complaint saying key voting information, like where and how to vote, was inaccessible online for users of screen readers, affecting thousands of Detroiters. And, some polling locations across metro Detroit remain inaccessible to voters with disabilities.

To discuss this, Detroit’s top election official, City Clerk Janice Winfrey, joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro.

The Metro has spoken with all of the candidates running for mayor. You can find those conversations at WDET.org/voterguide2025.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

More stories from The Metro

What do Detroit voters want out of city’s next mayor? This summer, the WDET News team has been hitting the streets for a new project, Citizen Vox, to help us get a clearer picture of what Detroiters want out of the next mayor.

Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, WDET news director Jerome Vaughn joined the Metro to tell us more about what WDET reporters have been hearing from residents.

Detroit’s mayoral primary is Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.

Follow all of WDET’s election coverage, including candidate interviews and Citizen Vox by visiting the 2025 Election Guide.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

More stories from The Metro

Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race is underway, and MichMash is talking to all of the major candidates. In this week’s episode, WDET host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben sit down with Former State House Speaker Tom Leonard to learn why he’s running and what sets him apart from other candidates.

Plus, Cheyna and Alethia explain the current status of Michigan’s 2026 fiscal budget.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode: 

• Why wasn’t the 2026 fiscal budget approved by the July 1 deadline?
• Why is Tom Leonard running for governor?

Highlights

On Duggan running as an Independent

One of the outliers of the 2026 gubernatorial race is Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan running as an Independent. Leonard says that despite Duggan’s party affiliation change, not much else has.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, the mayor is a Democrat. He is not an Independent,” Leonard told MichMash. “If somebody were to ask him right now where he breaks away from the Democrats on any major issue, I don’t think he could give one.”

Leonard went on to say that he believes Duggan in the race affects Democrats more than Republicans.

On the state budget’s delay

It’s been a month since the July 1 deadline, and the Michigan legislature still hasn’t approved the budget for the 2026 fiscal year. What’s causing the state capitol to fall behind schedule?

“A disagreement over unrelated legislation … led to Republican House Speaker Matt Hall kicking the ranking Democrat Rep. Albus Farhat of Dearborn off of the Appropriations Committee,” Alethia explained. “He was the lead Democrat trying to help negotiate this budget deal.”

As the academic year draws closer, many schools and are creating contingency plans in case the budget isn’t approved before the state fiscal year starts in October.

For months, Detroiters and suburbanites have had their eyes on the mayoral race. That’s for good reason: Mayor Mike Duggan is running for governor and the mayoral race is the most competitive it’s been in years. It’s also very likely that the city will have a Black mayor once again.

But other races in Detroit deserve attention. Twenty-two candidates are competing in the Detroit City Council primary races. Those seats matter — the people who win those positions are the city’s legislators. They decide what ordinances get passed, what norms are established, and which ones fade away. 

Bridge Detroit has been hosting town halls in every Detroit district leading up to Tuesday’s primary election. For more on what issues are uniting and dividing residents, The Metro brought into the WDET studios the two people leading those town halls: journalists Bryce Huffman and Malachi Barrett.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

More stories from The Metro

This summer is tracking to be the hottest on record… but it could be among the coolest summers we have for the rest of our lives. That’s the takeaway of a recent article from the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit made up of climate scientists founded at MIT in 1969. Scientists have warned of global warming for decades now, and the need for more urgent action. That’s because avoiding the worst effects of manmade climate change will require cooperation on a global scale.

But a large paradigm shift must involve city governments and local power players too. Detroit’s primary election for mayor and city council is this coming Tuesday, August 5, and whoever takes the reins as Detroit’s next mayor will be in a unique position to get Detroit ready for the climate that has already changed significantly.

Ellen Vial is the Detroit Program Manager for the Michigan Environmental Council. The council is a coalition of organizations that have created a thorough, 48-page environmental voter guide, and Ellen is on The Metro this morning to discuss the depths of our climate crisis and what Detroiters can do about it.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

More stories from The Metro

Early voting underway in Detroit’s primary election

Early voting is underway in Detroit’s primary election. Voters can use an absentee ballot or cast their vote at one of the city’s eight early voting centers. Those centers are open this week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Nine candidates are on the primary ballot vying to become Detroit’s next mayor. The top two vote-getters will go on to face each other in the November general election. Several candidates for City Council also appear on the primary ballot.

Early voting ends on Sunday. Detroiters can also vote in person on Primary Day, which is one week from today — Tuesday, August 5.

Learn more about upcoming elections with WDET’s 2025 Detroit Voter Guide »

Heavy storms cause flooding across Detroit

Many Detroiters spent part of the evening cleaning up after heavy thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday afternoon. Rain amounts varied widely across the region, but some Detroit streets were temporarily flooded by heavy rainfall.

The I-96 westbound exit ramp to the Southfield Freeway was backed up with heavy traffic and closed for a short time after the storms passed. At Metro Airport, several roads were closed by flooding, forcing passengers to scramble to make their flights.

Meteorologists say an area near Romulus received nearly three inches of rain in just an hour.

Detroit launches first municipal start-up fund

The City of Detroit and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation have launched the city’s first municipal start-up fund. The fund will award 20 grants of $15,000 each and six additional grants of $50,000 each.

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation CEO Kevin Johnson says the grants will give new non-retail businesses a better chance to survive.

“Being an entrepreneur is a battle to survive. Ideas mean one thing, but when you can’t cultivate it to a point where it becomes a reasonable business, then we’re recycling old things that cause them to fail,” Johnson said.

Entrepreneurs must have been in business for at least two years and be based in Detroit to be eligible for the grants.

Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Gas prices drop in Metro Detroit

Gas prices are falling in Metro Detroit. The average price of self-serve regular is now $3.19 per gallon. That’s down three cents from last week and seven cents lower than a month ago.

The national average for gas is just over $3.13 per gallon.

Tigers trade for two pitchers ahead of MLB deadline

The Detroit Tigers have completed a trade just a few days before the Major League Baseball deadline.

The team was looking to bolster its pitching staff and received right-hand pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins. In exchange, the Twins received catcher Enrique Jiminez and a minor league prospect.

The Tigers needed pitching help with Reese Olsen missing the rest of the regular season due to a shoulder sprain. He could return for the playoffs.

Detroit currently holds a record of 62 wins and 46 losses and sits in first place in the American League Central.

Detroit’s mayoral candidates agree the city needs more affordable housing but have different ideas to solve the problem. 

Retired businessman Joel Haashiim says if he were mayor, he’d create a municipal building company to manufacture housing. 

“It’s a great industry,” he says. “It’s something where we can create 10,000 Detroit resident jobs.”

Haashiim also says it would diversify the city’s economy.

“We basically rely on the auto plants and the small service industries that maintain the local economy,” he says. “This will give us an opportunity to put billions of dollars into our city treasury, as well as in the community.”

Haashiim says he would also work with financial institutions to make buying a home more affordable.

“30- to 50-year mortgages are what we want to introduce into Detroit,” he says. “This will allow us to compensate for the high cost of building.”

If they build it, will people come?

By creating a larger number of affordable homes, Haashiim says he hopes to accelerate Detroit’s population growth. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city gained about 6,000 residents since the decennial head count in 2020. He says the key is to attract more business.

“We are an international city with no international companies,” Haashiim says. “I’m the only candidate who has done 15 international business delegations around this country, bringing in companies to this metro area.”

Haashiim says he would also invest in public projects and education to lure new residents to Detroit.

“We do want to bring in families,” he says. “We want to make sure we reach out to them as a city that’s interested in making sure that our children can compete in the 21st century.”

Haashiim is one of nine mayoral candidates on the Aug. 5 ballot. Arnold Boyd and Rogelio Landin are running write-in campaigns. The top two finishers in the primary will run against each other in November.

Mayor Mike Duggan is not seeking re-election. He’s waging an independent campaign for governor in 2026.

Learn more about upcoming elections with WDET’s 2025 Detroit Voter Guide »

Detroiters face a pivotal primary election, and early voting is already underway. 

For the first time in a dozen years Mayor Mike Duggan is not seeking reelection.

The candidates vying to replace Duggan differ on the specific policies they want to pursue. But most agree one of Detroit’s pressing needs is increasing its supply of affordable housing.

Candidate DaNetta Simpson says she has a plan to address the situation that would help residents pay to fix-up their current housing. She says it’s just one of several issues driving her bid as an independent candidate for the top job in Detroit’s city government.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.

DaNetta Simpson: What I would do, as far as the neighborhoods, is set up an insurance program for the residents to pay into for repairs for their homes. And we’re not going to go by income, only that they’re occupied and that they are on the tax rolls. All you have to do is show proof of ownership and pay a monthly or yearly fee. We will put all this money in one particular bank account, let it draw interest and then have it go to repairing our neighborhoods.

I will also freeze the property taxes while we’re doing these repairs. I will also grandfather the property taxes for people that’s been in the neighborhoods for more than 20–30 years.

Also, crime in our communities is out of hand. Gun control is out of hand. I want to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands. Now don’t take me wrong, we do not want to take your firearms. We just want responsible owners. And there’s people out here that cannot own firearms.

Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: So, what would you do to keep them out of the wrong hands?

DS: I will have enforcement in public places to search for them. Or post signage stating that firearms are prohibited from being there when they’re carried by people that’s not licensed to have them. We need a gun trafficking law that will stop the drive-by shootings in the neighborhoods. I know we can’t control the way an individual thinks. But at least if we have a law on the books to prevent the shootings from happening; maybe they won’t commit those crimes in places like parks. Kids are getting killed at the parks, getting wounded at the annual fireworks display, in large crowds at concerts, bars. We can control some of that. And it’s time for us to make our public places safe. Fix up our neighborhoods as well and children will not see blight again.

QK: Detroit will be running out of the pandemic relief money that the city used for various projects. It’s been allocated. Just about every candidate running for mayor now says the city needs to find new sources of revenue. Do you agree with that? And where would you look to find new revenue?

DS: Yes, I do agree with that. But everyone in Detroit is not eligible for loans. So my program, insurance deterioration, will cover everyone. And this will bring in revenue for repairing the homes, gutters, porches, roofs, sidewalk repairs, your fences, your garages, etc. We got to get the homes fixed up and safe so people can be in livable conditions.

QK: As part of that, you’ve talked about instituting some new policies regarding trash pickup in the city?

DS: Yes, that can be revenue for the city as well. Because there are people out here who are not paying for trash pickup. I know apartment buildings have a different ordinance. But if everyone pays for trash pickup along with their occupancy certificates, that will help deter blight in the neighborhoods. Because when tenants have to vacate premises, they leave them full of trash. Some of them put the trash on the streets where it doesn’t belong. So, I feel that they need to pay for a trash fee.

QK: Some of the other candidates have mentioned possibly having to create some new local taxes, service taxes. Would you favor that kind of approach as well?

DS: No, I feel that we’ve been taxed enough. That’s the old way to do things, raising taxes, cutting here, cutting there. We need some new ideas. We can’t run the city the old way. They are still trying to run the city like when the taxes first started on properties. We can’t keep taxing the citizens.

QK: The person that’s been running the city for the last dozen years, Mayor Mike Duggan, is not going to be running it anymore. He’s not seeking reelection, he’s running for governor. When you look at what Duggan has done, do you see things that you want to build on? Or is there some other direction you think the city should go?

DS: The difference between him and I, is that he was previously a Democrat and I have always been an independent. I have suggested some of my ideas to his administration and he has followed them. Those ideas are criminal expungements and swapping the old jail for Dan Gilbert to buy the site to develop on. I have been a part of the change and I would like to continue that. And this deterioration insurance will be a change for Detroit.

QK: You have made a couple of runs previously for mayor. Is there something you see differently that you can propose this time than in your previous campaigns?

DS: I would say I still have the same ideas. But when you don’t have the money to reach the people, when you don’t have radio time, television time and you don’t have the money for mailings, then you can’t reach all the constituents like the other candidates can.

QK: So this time you think you’re getting your message out more widely?

DS: Yes.

QK: I typically ask anyone who is running for an office what their pitch would be in the end to voters. So what would you tell Detroiters? Why would you be the best candidate for mayor compared to all the others campaigning right now?

DS: Because I will show independent thinking. The others want to raise taxes. I have something to offer the citizens where we don’t need to raise the taxes. We just need to stand on our own two feet and we can fix our neighborhoods ourselves. I will be an independent thinker instead of a dependent thinker.

QK: Dependent on what?

DS: Dependent upon the old. And it’s not the old that will take us to the next level. We need fresh ideas in here.