After ten years of Mayor Mike Duggan’s tenure, Detroiters are left with a critical question: who will maintain the city’s upward trajectory while addressing the lingering issues that still affect its residents? With whispers of a potential new face in the 2025 mayoral race, the name Saunteel Jenkins has surfaced, bringing both her past and present experiences to the forefront of political discussion.
Jenkins, a former Detroit City Council President, has deep roots in the city’s political and nonprofit landscapes. She led the council during one of Detroit’s most turbulent times: the 2013 municipal bankruptcy, which was then the largest in history. Her role was pivotal as the city navigated a maze of economic turmoil, seeking to stabilize and redefine its future. Jenkins was re-elected in 2013, but chose to step away from the council just a year later, focusing her attention on The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), a nonprofit organization assisting Detroiters and others across Michigan with paying their utility bills.
Her work at THAW since 2014 has been widely recognized, and Jenkins herself is no stranger to the city’s struggles. Raised in Detroit and a graduate of both Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University, her life has been entwined with the city’s heartbeat. She’s seen firsthand how Detroit has transformed under Duggan’s leadership, but her recent announcement hints at an understanding that despite the progress, much work remains to be done.
In her announcement on Tuesday regarding the creation of an exploratory committee, Jenkins touched on key issues that are not foreign to Detroiters: safety, access to education, public transit, and economic opportunity. “We still have a long way to go,” she stated. And that sentiment rings true for many in the city who have experienced both the highs and the lows of Detroit’s revitalization.
One of her focal points is public safety, a concern that resonates with many Detroit residents. Jenkins emphasized the need for safe neighborhoods and secure spaces for children, particularly after school programs that provide not only education but also protection. She also highlighted the importance of a more robust public transit system. For many Detroiters, accessing job opportunities is still a challenge, and Jenkins envisions a transit overhaul that bridges these gaps, offering better mobility regardless of which neighborhood someone calls home.
“We need to ensure every Detroiter can live in safe neighborhoods and provide safe spaces and after school programs for our kids,” Jenkins said in her announcement. “We need a new approach to public transit that will provide more access to jobs — regardless of what neighborhood you live in. And, we need to provide new pathways of opportunity — so that every Detroiter has the opportunity to achieve their dreams.”
Jenkins’ entrance into the mayoral conversation adds another layer to an already crowded field. With businessman Joel Hashiim and current Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield already declared, and potential contenders such as Chase Cantrell, executive director of Building Community Value, and former police chief James Craig, the race is shaping up to be a significant one.
The lingering question remains: can any of these candidates successfully continue the progress made under Duggan, while introducing new ideas and approaches to Detroit’s most persistent issues? Duggan, who rose to power in a historic write-in campaign, has yet to formally announce his intentions for the upcoming election. Though speculation surrounds a possible higher office run, his potential absence from the mayoral race would leave an opportunity for new leadership to step in.
Jenkins’ track record in both the public and nonprofit sectors makes her an intriguing prospect for the role. Her deep connection to the city, coupled with her leadership during a time of crisis, could provide a unique perspective in steering Detroit’s future. However, with her entry still in the exploratory phase, it remains to be seen whether Jenkins will officially throw her hat into the ring and what her broader platform would look like.
Meanwhile, other candidates are beginning to shape their visions for Detroit. Joel Hashiim, for instance, brings a business-oriented approach, while Mary Sheffield, a familiar face in Detroit politics, offers continuity with her current leadership on the City Council. Chase Cantrell and James Craig represent other potential paths for the city—one focused on community development and the other on law enforcement and safety.
The conversation surrounding Detroit’s future mayor isn’t just about who can maintain the city’s growth. It’s about who can take that growth and make it equitable across all communities. Jenkins’ comments on ensuring every Detroiter has access to opportunities touch on a significant issue that has yet to be fully resolved. While downtown and midtown have seen substantial investment and development, many neighborhoods on the city’s outer edges have yet to experience the same level of attention.
The stakes are high. Detroit’s progress over the last decade has been hard-earned, but as Jenkins pointed out, progress doesn’t mean the job is finished. The next mayor will need to balance maintaining what has worked while introducing bold new strategies to tackle persistent challenges. From housing affordability and blight to economic inequality and education, the issues are as varied as they are pressing.
As Detroit approaches the 2025 mayoral election, it’s clear that this race will be one of the most consequential in recent memory. Voters will need to weigh the past decade’s successes against the pressing needs of today and tomorrow. The field of candidates, still taking shape, will have to prove that they not only understand the complexities of Detroit but have a vision that lifts all of its residents.
For Jenkins, the decision to formally enter the race could mark a return to city politics at a critical juncture. Whether she and the other contenders can address the city’s evolving needs remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Detroit’s next mayor will need to do more than just manage—they will need to lead with vision, purpose, and a clear understanding of what it means to uplift the entire community.
About Post Author
