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Kinloch’s Post-Primary Campaign Turns up Heat on Sheffield

September 23, 2025

A controversy has erupted in the Detroit mayoral race between Pastor Solomon Kinloch and city council president Mary Sheffield over alleged ethics violations. Kinloch accused Sheffield of breaking city ethics rules by accepting Jeezy concert tickets from Comerica Bank, despite Detroit's charter prohibiting elected officials from accepting gifts. Sheffield defended her actions, stating she obtained the tickets for community members and that Comerica Bank isn't currently doing business with the city, while Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet declared no ethics violation occurred.

Who is affected

  • Detroit voters and residents
  • Mary Sheffield (city council president and candidate)
  • Solomon Kinloch (pastor and candidate)
  • Community members who received the Jeezy tickets
  • Detroit's government officials concerned with ethics compliance
  • Comerica Bank

What action is being taken

  • Kinloch is publicly accusing Sheffield of ethics violations and "corruption"
  • Sheffield is defending her actions by stating the tickets were given to community members
  • Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet is officially declaring no ethics violation occurred
  • Kinloch has hired new campaign staff including Greg Bowens and Lindsey McAdory
  • Kinloch's campaign is intensifying criticism of Sheffield despite earlier promises not to run a negative campaign

Why it matters

  • The accusation concerns potential violations of Detroit's city charter ethics rules
  • It represents a significant shift in campaign tone between the candidates
  • The controversy connects to Detroit's history of corruption that contributed to bankruptcy
  • The ethics question could influence voter perception in an upcoming election where Sheffield previously led with nearly 51% in the primary to Kinloch's 17%
  • The dispute highlights tensions around governance ethics in a city recovering from financial crisis

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle