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A new mayor, and nine people who can stop her

Detroit changed mayors on 1 January for the first time in twelve years, and two of the nine council seats changed hands with it.

Mary Sheffield

Took office 1 January 2026

  • The first woman elected mayor of Detroit.
  • Previously president of the City Council, which she joined in 2013 at twenty-six.
  • Defeated Solomon Kinloch in the non-partisan election of 4 November 2025.
  • Gave a first State of the City address on 31 March 2026.
Source: bridgedetroit.com · detroitmi.gov ·
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, which houses Detroit city government
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, where the council sits. WMrapids · CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Four things the administration has actually done

A wage floor for city staff

Every full-time city employee moved to a minimum salary of $44,616 from 1 July 2026.

Source: detroitmi.gov ·

Rise Higher: the survey under the budget

More than 8,000 residents across all 39 Detroit ZIP codes answered, in five languages. They named six priorities: neighborhoods, safety, transportation and infrastructure, open government, pay and workforce, and things for young people to do outside school.

Source: clickondetroit.com ·

A proposed property tax cut

A proposal to cut property taxes by 30 to 60 percent, argued as a way to grow both the tax base and the population.

Source: eu.detroitnews.com ·

Rx Kids Detroit

A cash-aid program for expectant and new mothers, funded in the first budget.

Source: detroitnews.com ·

The nine

Nine members. Seven represent districts; two are elected city-wide.

How the nine council seats are filledSeven members are elected by district and two city-wide.D1D2D3D4D5D6D7At largeAt largeSEVEN BY DISTRICT, TWO CITY-WIDE
Detroit City Council, 2026
SeatMemberNote
1James TateCouncil president. Fifth term.
2Angela Whitfield-CallowayIncumbent.
3Scott BensonFourth term.
4Latisha JohnsonIncumbent.
5Renata MillerNewly elected.
6Gabriela Santiago-RomeroIncumbent.
7Denzel McCampbellNewly elected.
At largeMary WatersIncumbent.
At largeColeman Young IIPresident pro tem.

James Tate chairs it; district 1. elected president on a five-to-four split. Coleman Young II is president pro tem. A five-to-four vote for the chair is worth remembering the next time the council splits.

Source: bridgedetroit.com · axios.com ·

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