New faces to join Detroit City Council in 2026
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Detroit City Council will have two new members in 2026, giving the nine-member body some fresh perspectives as the city begins its next chapter.
Why it matters: The council provides checks and balances on the mayor's office and is responsible for voting on local ordinances, the annual city budget, contracts and land deals involving public property.
What's next: The new council will select its president and president pro-tem, the second-ranking member, early next year.
At-large: Mary Waters and Coleman Young II, both incumbents seeking their second terms, won the four-candidate race over former Council Member Janeé Ayers and Fire Department community relations chief James Harris.
District 1: Incumbent James Tate ran unopposed for his fifth term and could be the next council president.
District 2: Incumbent Angela Whitfield-Calloway won a rematch against former Council Member Roy McCalister Jr., 66%-33%.
District 3: Incumbent Scott Benson cruised to his fourth term over challenger Cranstana Anderson, 69%-30%.
District 4: Incumbent Latisha Johnson was unopposed for a second term.
District 5: UAW retiree Renata Miller prevailed against Police Commissioner Willie Burton, 56%-43%, to represent this closely watched downtown district.
District 6: Incumbent Gabriela Santiago-Romero defeated state Rep. Tyrone Carter, 63%-36%.
- Santiago-Romero rejected campaign donations this year from a PAC tied to billionaire businessman Dan Gilbert, per BridgeDetroit.
District 7: Denzel Anton McCampbell, who previously worked for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), defeated veteran state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), 59%-40%.