This week, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield endorsed Jocelyn Benson to be the next governor of Michigan. Sheffield named Benson a “true partner” to the city of Detroit.

Sheffield joins a broad coalition of mayors, city leaders, and labor organizations who recognize Benson’s track record of delivering for Michiganders and her laser focus on bringing costs down, wages up, and making government work for the people who need it.

In case you missed it…

In print:

Michigan Advance: Sheffield endorses Benson for governor, emphasizing ‘power of friendship’ and coalition-building

[Katherine Dailey, 6/15/2026]

In one of her first endorsements as Detroit’s mayor, Mary Sheffield announced her endorsement of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in her bid for governor. 

“In my first six months as mayor, I always knew that it was important to have a strong leader in Lansing to get things done, but serving my first six months has really reminded me the importance of strong leadership in Lansing to ensure that they’re fighting on behalf of the city of Detroit,” Sheffield said. “A lot of the issues that you all care about, whether it’s housing, reducing costs, healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, all of these things, auto insurance reform, all of these things go through Lansing.”

[...]

Benson also emphasized that she herself, as a Detroit resident and mom, has a personal stake in ensuring an affordable future in Detroit and Michigan for those who grow up here. 

“This moment demands leaders like myself, like Mayor Sheffield, like all of us, live by that principle, lift up everyone around the city, around the state, and deliver real results,” Benson said. “I am so proud to partner with you, Mayor Sheffield, delivering for Detroit for all of us. We are going to be partners at every level, just like I will be a partner to local leaders all across the state, working to ensure we’re delivering results.”

Detroit News: Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield makes endorsement in governor's race

[6/15/2026]

[...]

Surrounded by chants of "Benson!" at a press conference at a senior apartment complex in Detroit, Sheffield said she's known Benson during the mayor's entire time as an elected official. She said Benson, who lives in Detroit and is raising her 10-year-old son in the city, has shown her commitment to the city.

[...]

Sheffield said she and Benson have already talked about key issues, including neighborhood development and possibly expanding Rx Kids, the unique cash aid assistance now available in dozens of communities. She said Benson has discussed expanding the program across the state.

Benson said Detroit is where she's chosen "to build my life, my career, raise my son." She said as Detroit's growth over the last decade is recognized, the next 10 years "will determine our future even more than the last." She said she wants Michigan — and Detroit — to be where people build their futures.

"Ensuring that future is personal to me, not just as a resident but as a mom..." she said. "I'm fiercely committed to make sure that our loved ones continually choose Detroit, and Michigan, to call home."

Gongwer: Sheffield endorses Benson for governor

[Liz Nass, 6/15/2026]

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for governor Monday, her first endorsement as mayor, which Benson said is a demonstration of “the power of sisterhood and power of friendship” as the campaign rolls on.

Sheffield said she has known Benson since she began holding public office. Sheffield said Benson has always been accessible, honest, a hard worker and “shown her commitment and her passion and her love for the city of Detroit.”

[...]

Benson praised Sheffield for her commitment to continuously building on the momentum in Detroit, including fighting back against “reckless” policies from Republicans in Washington, D.C., that “are making life harder and more expensive.”

Sheffield emphasized the importance of policy plans, saying Benson has a plan for many of the issues facing Detroiters: lowering costs on everyday expenses like groceries, financial support for young families, generating revenue for the city, affordable housing and property tax reform.

[...]

Benson has also been endorsed by Senate Minority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, and the UAW.

On the airwaves:

CBS Detroit: An update in the race for governor. Mayor Mary Sheffield has announced her endorsement of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today. Take a listen: “Every time I’ve called Jocelyn Benson, she has been accessible. She has been honest. She has been a hard worker.”

 “We're going to be doing events like this all across the city and really demonstrating the power of sisterhood, that power of friendship that we’ve built over decades of working together. And I'm really thrilled for the opportunity to work together now on our team, as she’s the mayor of the city.” Sheffield and Benson held a joint press conference in the Village Center in Detroit, where they talked to seniors about their concerns…

WWJ Newsradio 950: “A lot of the issues that you all hear about, whether it’s housing, reducing costs, healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, all of these things – auto insurance reform – all of these things, go through Lansing. And I am honored to be here today to officially endorse Jocelyn Benson for governor of the state of Michigan.”

The announcement coming here at the Village Center senior complex in the New Center area before a very happy gathering. Benson noting that they have been friends for decades, she and the mayor – back when Mary Sheffield was a local activist and Benson a teacher. Now the mayor, of course, endorsing the leading Democratic candidate for Governor.

WDET: Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has announced her choice in the race for Governor. She picked a fellow Detroiter: “I am honored to be here today to officially endorse Jocelyn Benson for governor of the state of Michigan.”

That’s Mayor Sheffield making the announcement at a home for senior citizens in the city. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has lived in Detroit for more than a decade and has seen the city’s recent resurgence firsthand. She says she wants to continue that momentum: “Lift up everyone around the city, around the state, and deliver real results, just as you’ve done, Mayor, in your first six months as mayor of this city, and that’s what I'll do as governor…”

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