Kinloch banks on undecided vote as Sheffield leads cash race
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The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. and City Council President Mary Sheffield. Photos: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images (left) and city of Detroit via Flickr
City Council President Mary Sheffield maintains a fundraising lead over the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. in the mayoral race, but his team sees undecided voters as one path to closing the wide primary gap.
Why it matters: Counting down the nine days until absentee ballots go out for the Nov. 4 election, Sheffield's advantage could be measured in recent high-profile endorsements and her primary defeat of Kinloch 51% to 18%.
- But politics can shift and Kinloch's campaign is aiming for change as it strategizes for the final push.
By the numbers: Sheffield raised nearly $206,000 in the latest reporting period — July 21 to Aug. 25 — versus Kinloch's $116,000, per their filings.
- The latter amount includes over $83,000 from the UAW's political action committee.
Zoom in: Kinloch's team still views the race as winnable.
- Its strategy, highlighted in a recent call with reporters, includes more intense voter outreach via canvassing, mailers, calls and social media; focusing on critical issues including poverty; and taking a more critical approach against Sheffield.
Between the lines: Kinloch also addressed voter apathy and low primary turnout, saying his campaign must intensely engage those who have been left out of the city's recent growth.
- "... There is an electorate that has been rocked to sleep based on not having a seat at the table."
What they're saying: "... The vast number of people out there are undecided voters, and we are going to get them," said Greg Bowens, a political consultant and PR professional now working for Kinloch who was previously on candidate Saunteel Jenkins' primary campaign.
- Also new to the team is Alabama-based political strategist Lindsey McAdory, who started Sept. 1 as campaign manager.
Context: Political strategist Sam Riddle, also a consultant for City Council member at-large Mary Waters' campaign, points to the city's rising poverty and the need to engage those who aren't showing up to vote.
- Kinloch's platform and history speak to those issues, Riddle contends, but he thinks the campaign hasn't made enough impact expanding voter participation.
- "His political actions must be retooled immediately to hit the real streets of Detroit where the majority-Black Detroiters reside," Riddle tells Axios, adding that "majority-Black Detroit is not being touched by (either mayoral candidate) enough to manifest itself in a measurable increase in people that vote."
What's next: Absentee voter ballots are available starting Sept. 25.
- Read more about requesting and completing an absentee ballot on the state's website.