Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. announces bid for Detroit mayor
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Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. speaks at the Fox Theatre Wednesday. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios
Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. of Detroit-based Triumph Church launched his campaign for mayor Wednesday night with a packed, high-energy event at the Fox Theatre.
Why it matters: The well-known faith leader is the highest-profile candidate to enter the race without coming from a background in city government.
State of play: Kinloch said though he's not from government, he's dedicated his life to building up families and neighborhoods. He said he's on the "front line" and can bring community groups, foundations and other stakeholders together to solve problems, not "stuck in the old ways of doing things in the past."
- "The central question facing Detroit tonight is, 'Where do we go from here?' ... I see undeniable progress in pockets of the city … yet, for too many people in the city this revival has not become what we have dreamed and imagined."
Flashback: Kinloch, 51, began as pastor at Triumph in 1998, when it had around 50 members. According to the church, it now has more than 40,000 members and, per its website, seven locations — Detroit's east side and west side, as well as Flint, Southfield, Harper Woods and elsewhere.
- As well as its services, Triumph oversees programming that ranges from free meals to scholarships and financial and mental health workshops.
- Triumph and Kinloch have reportedly hosted campaign events for President Obama, Mayor Mike Duggan and presidential nominee Kamala Harris, among others.
Between the lines: He highlighted plans for building a downtown center for workforce training, getting 10 new grocery stores in the city, creating 10,000 affordable housing units using a "housing strike force" and increasing homeownership.
- Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy spoke in support at the event.
Zoom out: Other candidates who have announced or are expected to do so include City Council President Mary Sheffield, Council member Fred Durhal, former Council president and nonprofit leader Saunteel Jenkins and state Rep. Joe Tate.