Sheffield Elected Detroit’s First Woman Mayor

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield made history Tuesday night, Nov. 4, becoming the first woman ever elected mayor in the city and concluding a campaign cycle she led from start to finish.

The Associated Press and CNN called the race for Sheffield, who defeated Triumph Church Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr. with 77% of the vote to Kinloch’s 23% with 429 of 430 precincts reporting early Wednesday morning.

Sheffield, 38, celebrated Tuesday night with hundreds of friends, family and supporters at a glitzy event at MGM Grand Detroit. Kinloch’s team watched the results from the Garden Theater.

“I am told it was the largest margin (of victory) in the history of the city of Detroit,” Sheffield said to a group of reporters before taking the stage at her election party. “I feel like today was a mandate by our city,” she said, going on to add, “Everyone is going to have a seat at the table with this administration.”

Later, from the stage at the MGM Detroit ballroom, she told the packed crowd: “Tonight our city adds another chapter to its great history. Throughout Detroit’s 324-year history, 75 mayors have led this city. Not one has been a woman. But tonight, Detroit, we know that changes. And you changed it Detroit!” (source detroit free news)