Solomon Kinloch Jr.
The Reverend Solomon Kinloch | |
|---|---|
Kinloch in 2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 28, 1973 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | American Baptist College |
Solomon W. Kinloch Jr. (born July 28, 1973) is an American pastor and political candidate. He is the senior pastor of Triumph Church, a non-denominational megachurch based in Detroit. He was a candidate in the 2025 Detroit mayoral election.[1]
Early life and education
Kinloch was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1991 and later pursued theological studies at American Baptist College.[2]
Ministry at Triumph Church
In 1998, at the age of 24, Kinloch became the senior pastor of Triumph Church, which had a membership of approximately 44 at the time. Under his leadership, the church experienced significant growth, expanding to multiple campuses across the Detroit metropolitan area and reportedly reaching over 40,000 members.[2]
In 2018, Kinloch was named one of the "Michiganians of the Year" by The Detroit News for his leadership and service to the community.[3]
Political career
In February 2025, Kinloch entered electoral politics, announcing a bid for mayor of Detroit in the 2025 election. His campaign kickoff, held at the Fox Theatre on February 19, was reportedly attended by thousands.[1][4]
His campaign platform included plans to build 10,000 affordable housing units, establish ten new grocery stores to address food deserts, and create a training center for in-demand jobs paying $35 per hour. Kinloch has stated that he intended to continue his pastoral duties if elected mayor.[5]
In May 2025, Kinloch received a significant endorsement from the United Auto Workers (UAW).[6] Kinloch placed second in the August primary election, and advanced to the general election in November, which he lost to Mary Sheffield.[7][8][9]
Other affiliations and recognition
Kinloch currently serves on the boards of directors of the Skillman Foundation[10] and the Black Male Educators Alliance of Michigan.[11]
Personal life
Kinloch is married to Robin Kemp Kinloch, and they have one son, Kadin Kinloch.[12] He owns a house in the Detroit exurb of Oakland Township, and rents an apartment in downtown Detroit, having registered the latter as his address in his mayoral campaign filings.[13][14][15]
His brother, Jonathan C. Kinloch, serves as a Wayne County Commissioner, and as chair of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party, which endorsed Solomon Kinloch.[2]
In 1993, Kinloch pleaded guilty to assaulting his first wife after she accused him of threatening her with a butcher knife, beating her in the head with its handle, and then throwing it at her.[16] Kinloch's then-wife called police to their Southfield apartment after she said he tried to stop her from leaving during an argument. According to Oakland County Circuit Court records, Kinloch threw a glass at his then-wife, striking her foot and pointed a butcher knife at her. His then-wife told police that when she tried to block the knife with her hand, her finger was cut.[17] Prosecutors said that Kinloch then hit his then-wife twice with the knife before throwing it at her, striking her in the back of the head with its handle.[18]
References
- ^ a b Thompson, Bankole (February 23, 2025). "Kinloch as mayoral candidate changes Detroit's political landscape". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c Barrett, Malachi (February 19, 2025). "Pastor Solomon Kinloch announces 2025 bid for Detroit mayor". BridgeDetroit. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Solomon Kinloch Jr. - Michiganian of the Year 2018". The Detroit News. June 21, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ Manes, Nick (2025-02-19). "Megachurch pastor seeks to be Detroit's next mayor". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ Barrett, Malachi (February 26, 2025). "Why Solomon Kinloch is running for Detroit mayor in 2025". BridgeDetroit. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ Carr, Brandon (May 16, 2025). "Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. secures major endorsement from UAW in Detroit mayor's race". WDIV ClickOnDetroit. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ Afana, Dana; Ikonomova, Violet; Erick, M.L. (2025-08-05). "Mary Sheffield, Solomon Kinloch heading to the general election for Detroit mayor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
- ^ "Detroit Mayoral Primary Election Results 2025". The New York Times. 2025-08-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
- ^ "Track live results: Detroit mayoral primary election 2025". WDIV. 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
- ^ "Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr". Skillman Foundation. 20 November 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Black Male Educators Alliance. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Rev. Solomon Kinloch announces candidacy for mayor of Detroit". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ Barrett, Malachi (2025-02-19). "Pastor Solomon Kinloch announces 2025 bid for Detroit mayor". BridgeDetroit. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ Aguilar, Louis (2025-07-09). "Residency issues emerge in Detroit mayoral primary race". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on 2025-07-10.
- ^ Manes, Nick (2025-02-19). "Megachurch pastor seeks to be Detroit's next mayor". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ Elrick, Violet Ikonomova and M. L. "Detroit mayoral candidate, who assaulted his wife in 1993, says he learned from mistake". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
- ^ Elrick, Violet Ikonomova and M. L. "Detroit mayoral candidate, who assaulted his wife in 1993, says he learned from mistake". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
- ^ Elrick, Violet Ikonomova and M. L. "Detroit mayoral candidate, who assaulted his wife in 1993, says he learned from mistake". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2025-08-06.