MEET THE CANDIDATE:
Mary Sheffield, a native Detroiter and third-generation public servant, is the youngest person ever elected to the Detroit City Council and currently serves as its president.
First elected in 2013 at the age of 26, she quickly became known for her legislative leadership and grassroots engagement. Sheffield holds degrees from Wayne State University and Central Michigan University and is also an ordained minister. Her civic involvement extends beyond City Hall through initiatives like “Occupy the Corner” and “Conversations with the Councilwoman,” which bring government directly to residents.
Influenced by her family’s legacy—her father, Rev. Horace Sheffield III, and grandfather, labor leader Horace Sheffield Jr.—she blends activism with policymaking in her approach to leadership.
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WHAT SHE STANDS FOR:
(CONTINUED) Sheffield’s 2025 mayoral campaign is centered on equity and neighborhood revitalization. Her platform includes lowering residential property taxes while introducing new taxes on entertainment and hotel stays to maintain balanced city revenues.
She advocates for expanding affordable housing, improving public safety through community-based violence prevention, and enhancing economic mobility. Workforce development is a key focus, with plans to prioritize local hiring for city contracts and support for returning citizens.
Sheffield has also pledged to bring together stakeholders to address Detroit’s high property tax burden, which she identifies as a major obstacle to homeownership and population growth.
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