Solomon Kinloch | |
|---|---|
 Kinloch in 2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 28, 1973 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political 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 is currently a candidate in the 2025 Detroit mayoral election. [1]
Kinloch was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1991 and later pursued theological studies at American Baptist College. [2]
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]
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 includes 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.[ citation needed ] Kinloch has stated that he intends 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 primary election, and will advance to the general election in November, where he will face Mary Sheffield. [7] [8] [9]
Kinloch currently serves on the boards of directors of the Skillman Foundation [10] and the Black Male Educators Alliance of Michigan. [11]
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]