Saunteel Jenkins Officially Announces Bid for Detroit Mayor

Saunteel Jenkins officially stepped into the race for Detroit’s mayoral seat with a candidacy announcement rooted in community, resilience, and vision. Standing in the St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center gymnasium, a place near her childhood home, Jenkins was surrounded by friends, family, and local leaders. There were no celebrities or flashy displays—only an … Continued

Saunteel Jenkins Officially Announces Bid for Detroit Mayor

Saunteel Jenkins officially stepped into the race for Detroit’s mayoral seat with a candidacy announcement rooted in community, resilience, and vision. Standing in the St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center gymnasium, a place near her childhood home, Jenkins was surrounded by friends, family, and local leaders. There were no celebrities or flashy displays—only an intimate and authentic gathering of people who have been part of her story. For Jenkins, this moment was about connection, not spectacle.

 
“Detroit is at a crossroads,” Jenkins declared. “And while there are many people who talk the talk—we need a mayor who has walked the walk. Detroit, I have walked that walk. I have the experience, I have the strength, I have the grit to be the mayor for all Detroiters. That’s why I’m so excited to be here with all of you today to announce my candidacy to be the next mayor of the City of Detroit.”
 
Jenkins’ journey from Detroit’s westside to a mayoral candidate is marked by service, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to uplifting the community. Introduced by her Pastor QuanTez Pressley of Third New Hope Baptist Church, Carina Jackson, COO of Mariner’s Inn, Carla Walker-Miller, CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, and her husband Carl Bentley, Jenkins shared a powerful reflection of her path. She recounted her days as a Cass Tech graduate, her studies at Wayne State University, her work alongside the late City Council President Maryann Mahaffey, and her rise from intern to chief of staff.
 
Jenkins’ career spans leadership roles that have shaped the fabric of Detroit. From helping those battling addiction at Mariner’s Inn to running her small business, Petite Sweets, to serving as an at-large city council member and later council president, she has consistently stepped up during Detroit’s most challenging moments. “I helped to lead us through the city’s darkest economic days, emerging stronger and setting the foundation for the Detroit that we all see today,” Jenkins shared.
 
Her announcement was as personal as it was political. Jenkins opened up about losing her brother Jovan, who was murdered at 14 after leaving the very gym where her announcement was held. That loss ignited a fire in her to fight for safer neighborhoods and a more just city. Years later, Jenkins faced her own battle with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer—a diagnosis that she overcame with strength and determination. Standing cancer-free before the community that molded her, Jenkins affirmed her readiness for this fight. “I am built for this,” she declared, her words resonating deeply with those in attendance.
 
Carla Walker-Miller spoke to the heart of the election’s stakes, urging Detroiters to prioritize substance over status quo calculations. “Every time we start talking about who is going to be the next mayor, the conversation becomes about who can win,” Walker-Miller said. “We’re walking in fear of the one who has the infrastructure to win, the relationships to win, the war chest to win. Anybody can win, we’ve proven that. We should be talking about who should win.”
 
Jenkins’ vision for Detroit is clear and ambitious. She described a city where opportunity is accessible to all—where jobs, safety, and thriving neighborhoods extend beyond downtown. Her detailed plan includes creating a master plan for every district to attract industries and revitalize business corridors, establishing a reliable public transit system, and investing in afterschool programs and community centers. “Every child should have access to safe spaces to dream and grow—just like the library and park meant to me as a child,” she said.
 
Public safety and youth empowerment are central to Jenkins’ platform. She emphasized the importance of common-sense gun laws, community policing, and tackling violence and bullying head-on. Her Youth Opportunity Initiative would partner with businesses and community organizations to provide paid internships, apprenticeships, and job training, ensuring that Detroit’s young people can build bright futures right at home.
 
Jenkins’ commitment extends to Detroit’s families, from “cradle to career and beyond.” Her focus includes expanding access to childcare, ensuring affordable housing, and supporting seniors who have dedicated their lives to building the city. “Together, let’s write the next great chapter in Detroit’s history,” Jenkins said. “We’ll create a city where every child can dream boldly and achieve fully.”
 
Her candidacy is not just a campaign but a culmination of decades of service. As CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), Jenkins helped deliver over $100 million in utility assistance to families in need. Her work at Mariner’s Inn left an indelible mark, as evidenced by the testimony of Gary O., who was under the guidance of Jenkins during the 90-day program at Mariner’s is now 17 years clean and he credits Jenkins with saving his life. “When I was about to give up, she showed so much faith in me that I didn’t have,” Gary said. “I asked, ‘Why are you doing this?’ and she said, ‘Because I truly care.’ And besides my momma, that was the first time somebody showed me that.”
 
Christine Beatty, a Jenkins supporter, highlighted the unique breadth of experience Jenkins brings to the race. “She’s somebody who can relate to community, to business, to non-profits, and she is easily the mayor for all Detroiters.”
 
Jenkins’ announcement was not just a moment of political aspiration; for her, it was a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the power of community. From her lived experiences to her bold vision for the future, Jenkins believes that she embodies the spirit of Detroit. As she concluded her remarks, her words carried the weight of a fighter who has never backed down: “I’m Saunteel Jenkins. I am built for this. We are built for this. Together, let’s fight for Detroit, its promise, and its people.”
 
Detroiters face a pivotal choice in the upcoming election. Saunteel Jenkins has stepped forward with a platform rooted in equity, safety, and opportunity for all. Her candidacy serves as a call to action—a reminder that perhaps leadership grounded in community and service can drive meaningful change. As the race unfolds, Detroit’s voters will determine who should write the next chapter of the city’s storied history.