Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is backing Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate, she told reporters Thursday after a construction tour of an equestrian center on the city's northwest side.
Sheffield has refrained from a grand announcement. Though her support is now in line with her father, the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, who endorsed El-Sayed in November 2025 for one of the most watched — and heated — political races, which has garnered national attention among leaders, including President Donald Trump. El-Sayed is running against Republican opponent Mike Rogers. The mayor also endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for governor in June.
“So first of all, just want to encourage every Detroiter to please get out to vote. This election is critical. The
future of our neighborhoods, the future of resources coming back to the city depend on this election. So never take it for granted. Get out to vote. Secondly, I have already endorsed and support the entire Democratic ticket. I've been in several rallies pushing to get out to vote, and we want to make sure we get our Democrats in office to ensure that we can deliver on the issues and the priorities that matter to everyday Detroiters,” Sheffield said.
After a brief back and forth, when asked specifically about whether she supports El-Sayed, Sheffield said: "Sounds like that’s the winner"
Her backing plays a pivotal role in driving voters to support the former Detroit Health Department director, who secured 33,825 votes from Detroiters in the August primary against his Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, who took 61,540 votes. Rogers received 2,537 Detroit votes, election results show.
Serving as Detroit's first female mayor since January, Sheffield has been no stranger to federal leaders and she said early on that she plans to build relationships with them to boost support for Detroit.
She accompanied U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich — who narrowly defeatedRogers in the 2024 race for senate — at the president's State of the Union address earlier this year, where she expected to meet and network with officials in an effort to drive more federal support for Detroiters. Sheffield took office years after former Mayor Mike Duggan drew nearly $1 billion to the city in American Rescue Plan Act money, which is required to be spent by the end of the year.
Sheffield also joined former Vice President Kamala Harris on a national book promotion tour, stopping in Detroit for a smoothie at Trap Vegan.
This story is developing.
Dana Afana is the Detroit City Hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mayor Mary Sheffield backs Abdul El-Sayed in U.S. Senate race
