Detroit City Council President has an insurmountable fundraising lead over her opponent, Triumph Church Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., according to the latest campaign finance report submitted last week, the final reporting period ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
Both candidates are spending big money campaigning with just a few days remaining until Detroit voters select their next mayor, city council, board of police commissioners and city clerk.
Sheffield received $1,281,756 between Aug. 26 and Oct. 19, compared to the $137,457 Kinloch reported raising during the same period.
In total, Sheffield raised $2.7 million since her campaign began, spending $2 million. Campaign finance records show Kinloch raised $660,970 since his campaign launched in February, spending all but $10,613 ahead of the general election.
Sheffield spent hundreds of thousands on payroll for her campaign staff and media consulting services. Her campaign ended its final reporting period ahead of the election with $772,233.08 still to spend in its war chest.
Most of Kinloch’s donations came in before the primary election in August. Since, most of his new money is coming by way of small donations from $25-100 from residents.
Sheffield received campaign cash from Detroit residents, wealthy business owners and executives from the suburbs and from out-of-state donors. Some notable donations to Sheffield’s campaign include:
- The Michigan Laborers’ Political League PAC gave Sheffield $83,250
- Rachel Torgow, Yonah Torgow, Jacob Torgow, Shira Torgow, Eliezer Torgow and Chaye Torgow all gave Sheffield $2,500.
- Sheffield received a max donation of $8,235 from Matthew Moroun.
- Billionaire Roger Penske gave $8,235
- Tricia Keith, the CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield gave $7,325.
- $8,000 from Vinnie Johnson, the former Pistons guard and CEO of Pistons Group.
- Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, the recently appointed by council City of Detroit Obudsman, donated $1,000 to Sheffield’s campaign.
- The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, which opposed Democratic-backed proposals to increase the state’s minimum wage, gave Sheffield $10,000.
- Sheffield received $10,000 from the following: IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC and Operating Engineers Local 324.
- The Detroit Regional Chamber PAC gave $7,500, even after endorsing Councilman Fred Durhal III during the primary election.
Sheffield’s campaign held nearly 30 fundraisers throughout the summer at personal homes of wealthy real estate CEOs in the suburbs, the Detroit Athletic Club and a Brooklyn, NYC wine bar.
However, it’s unclear how much her campaign collected from the fundraisers, as Sheffield’s campaign did not disclose how much it collected from them as required.
Sheffield’s campaign purchased television advertisements immediately before and after the televised mayoral debate on WXYZ. With just over $10,000 to spend, it’s unlikely Detroit viewers will see Kinloch on the airwaves again like they did ahead of the August 5 primary.
His issue ad, meaning he wasn’t able to make explicit calls for voters to select him as mayor, was paid for by the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party. That group is chaired by Kinloch’s brother, Jonathan Kinloch, who is a Wayne County commissioner.
