Louis Aguilar
Jun 16, 2025
Detroit mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield received a national endorsement this past week when she got the support of EMILY’s List, a national group known for backing Democratic women who support abortion rights.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield received a national endorsement this past week when she got the support of EMILY’s List, a national group known for backing Democratic women who support abortion rights.
"She has fought against discrimination in the workplace, worked to provide affordable housing, and been a staunch supporter of reproductive rights," the Washington, D.C.-based group said in a statement. "EMILYs List is proud to support her in this race to become Detroit’s first woman mayor.”
Sheffield, the City Council president, was considered the front-runner in the mayoral primary election, which will narrow the field of nine candidates to two for the November election. She had 38% support among 500 likely primary voters in a May 27-29 Detroit News-WDIV-TV (Channel 4) poll done by the Glengariff Group, followed by the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. at 14%.
“To have the support of EMILYs List — a national leader in the fight for gender equity and representation — is an incredible honor,” Sheffield said in an email. “Their endorsement affirms the work we’ve done and energizes our campaign to build a more just, inclusive and opportunity-filled Detroit.”
The backing of EMILYs List could mean an infusion of bundled cash from the national group after Sheffield's campaign announced this past week that she has raised over $1 million total. Sheffield's campaign claimed it was a record for a Detroit female mayoral candidate.
The last high-profile woman to run for Detroit mayor was lawyer Sharon McPhail, who lost to Dennis Archer in the November 1993 election despite getting the endorsement of outgoing Mayor Coleman Young. McPhail's 1993 campaign finance statements weren't available in the Wayne County campaign finance system.