Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield Announces Run For Mayor

More than a year after forming a candidate committee for a Detroit mayoral bid, City Council President Mary Sheffield on Tuesday announced her campaign for the seat.

Sheffield's campaign kicked off in a flashy event Tuesday evening at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 58, alongside notable guests, including former Judge Greg Mathis, Detroit vs. Everybody Founder Tommey Walker, The Lip Bar CEO Melissa Butler, dozens of family and friends speaking, and hundreds of attendees.

Sheffield has been a City Council member since 2013, when she was elected as the youngest member. She served as council president pro tem in her second term, and president of the nine-member body in her current term. Residents drove her to run for mayor, she said in an interview Monday, noting that with Mayor Mike Duggan's departure, the city has a "unique time to have continuity, to have someone here that has been a part of developing and rebuilding" Detroit.

"What we've experienced in Detroit, this renaissance, this growth, has been about partnerships. It has been about a collective effort from our federal, state partners, philanthropic support, to really help move Detroit forward," Sheffield said at Tuesday's kickoff. "I understand the importance of collaboration, and I am looking forward to working with all levels of government and in both parties to find common ground that will benefit the growth of our city."

Mathis introduced Sheffield to the large crowd packing the room. Before she walked in, greeting guests along the walkway to the stage, the former judge amplified her as a public official who has mentored Detroit youth, fought for reparations by backing the creation of a task force and building the city's neighborhoods.

"We thank God, because she was instrumental in having our Midtown and downtown redeveloped, and now, as she started to do, she's going to help complete the development of all of our neighborhoods, and we thank God for that. Indeed, the work she's done has benefited all of us, and she's been there for all of us. Indeed, when we needed her to fight our battles, she's been there. When we needed her to invest in our neighborhoods, she's been there," Mathis said.

Sheffield emphasized that her campaign is rooted in unity, and she aims to build upon it through public and private partnerships, and through collaboration between City Council and the mayor's office. Sheffield also plans to meet Detroiters in their homes and in the community to understand their concerns this next year, she said, adding that she wants to build off of initiatives from her tenure on City Council to build vibrant neighborhoods, affordable housing and economic opportunities for Detroiters, especially small businesses.

'Excuse me, the jail?'

Her campaign slogan — "Together We Can. Together We Will" — is intended to reach Detroiters of all incomes and backgrounds.

In her speech, Sheffield recalled being a college student and feeling a little lost at the time, but knowing she wanted to serve and take after her grandfather, the late Horace Sheffield Jr., who was a civil rights activist.

But one day, she met the late Benny Napoleon, former Wayne County sheriff, who recruited Mary Sheffield. She expected to work in his office as his right hand, but upon arriving on her first day, a supervisor told her she’d be reporting to the Wayne County jail.

“Excuse me, the jail? This must be a mistake. The sheriff himself sent me here,” she recalled telling the supervisor, who then reminded her she was assigned to the jail as a disciplinary hearing officer, where she learned how to “see people beyond their circumstances” and learn their potential.

She wondered why Napoleon put her in the position.

“Benny wanted me to learn something about people in service. He wanted to teach me that no matter how far you go, no matter how high you climb, it is always about serving people,” Sheffield told the crowd. “I was being shaped and molded into a servant leader in preparation for this moment, this moment right here where I have the great honor of standing before you all to announce my candidacy for mayor.”

Sheffield's five areas of emphasis

"I spent the last 12 years really learning intimately the issues of our city, the struggles and the potential of Detroit, and that is really what gives me the greatest hope and the greatest inspiration to want to serve is really understanding what Detroit can be. And it's about really just building on the growth and the progress that we have created together over this last 11 years in ensuring that the city's prosperity touches the lives of every resident, every business and every neighborhood. I think we have more work to do," Sheffield said. "I believe the position gives me a greater opportunity to reach more and to have a greater impact on really improving the quality of life for Detroiters."

Should she succeed, Sheffield aims to focus on five key areas: addressing property tax reform, walkable and vibrant neighborhoods, investing in safe communities, which includes the police department and community violence intervention, affordable housing and economic development.

"Housing is just so important to me. It's something that I've dedicated a lot of my time to here at the City Council, and really ensuring that we have a pathway to home ownership, that we are investing in infill housing throughout our neighborhood. It's not necessarily rental housing, but more opportunities for home ownership and affordable housing opportunities in general for Detroiters of all incomes is important to me," Sheffield said.

The council president also wants to dig into reducing overall property taxes, a "burden that is placed on both businesses and residents" by building a working group to to "build upon the work the mayor started with the land value tax" in addressing structural property tax reform. Duggan's land value tax proposal, which reached a standstill in the Michigan Legislature, would tax vacant landowners at a higher rate than homeowners or those with developments on their properties in an effort to hold land speculators accountable and encourage development in the city. Property taxes hinder families from moving to Detroit or staying in the city, Sheffield said.

Sheffield touched on numerous topics while fielding questions from reporters, including tax breaks for developers, which he has previously supported, while also fighting for community benefits. She declined to specifically comment on the proposed Renaissance Center project because City Council has not received a detailed proposal.

"I do think there has been a unique opportunity presented to save an iconic landmark in our city, creating jobs, economic growth and providing affordable housing," Sheffield said. "I won't get into that without actually having something come before Council with all of the details."

Tax incentives for developers has been a contentious subject for Detroiters. Council meetings dragged on for hours as residents shared concerns over who the incentives really benefit and would often beg for community benefits. Sheffield said that as mayor, she intends to incorporate the needs of the community into a business or developer's proposal.

"A lot of those projects, I have supported, and I'm proud that I have, because I've been able to get additional benefits added within those projects," Sheffield said. "I will continue to represent both. Community needs business, and business needs community, and they don't have to be silos. We are all a community, and a part of what I want to do is bridge that gap and bring us forward together as we move forward and grow the city of Detroit."

Engaging young Detroiters will also be on her list of tasks to tackle. Sheffield plans to explore ways to inspire youth to be part of the civic engagement process in an effort to retain young talent in the city.

What Detroiters want

Eliminating barriers for local businesses and establishing a streamlined process for them to succeed is another issue entrepreneurs raised to Sheffield.

"We just launched, for example, the Detroit legacy business program that pours funding into businesses that have been Detroit for 30 years or more. I want to see more programs like that initiated that are investing in existing businesses here in Detroit," Sheffield said.

The legacy business grant program allows small businesses to apply for a grant between $15,000 to $50,000 to cover various expenses.

"Serving here the last 11 years, most people want the same thing. They want vibrant, walkable neighborhoods where families live. They don't just work and play in Detroit, but they actually come and live and raise their family, (they want a) strong educational system. They want safe communities ... housing options for Detroiters with a strong middle class, and of course, economic growth is important to every Detroiter," Sheffield said.