Detroit faith-based groups serve as key in mayor's primary contest
Detroit — Neighborhood development has emerged as one of the key issues in the Detroit mayor's race, and most candidates said faith-based groups are crucial in reviving sections of the city outside of downtown.
Many mayoral hopefuls — including City Council President Mary Sheffield, the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. and former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins — have emphasized the importance of expanding the city's rebound outside the boundaries of downtown, Midtown and Corktown. Almost 70% of 500 likely primary voters said the city focuses too much on the downtown and needs to spend more of its resources on the neighborhoods, according to a May 27-29 Detroit News-WDIV-TV (Channel 4) poll.
The nine mayoral candidates have emphasized a variety of policy goals, from increasing affordable housing to reviving commercial corridors to financing home repairs. And many of the hopefuls see churches or faith-based groups playing a large role in making neighborhood investments during the next city administration. The city will have a new mayor for the first time in over a decade as three-term Mayor Mike Duggan is leaving office to run for state governor next year.
Some Detroit churches have already jumped into the void over the decades by providing services in their community and creating developments.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/10/detroit-faith-based-groups-serve-as-key-battleground-mayors-primary-contest/84027844007/