Union groups, political organizations and prominent individuals are lining up behind Detroit mayoral candidates, unlocking access to people and money to stand out in a crowded primary race.
Labor unions are a historically influential force in Detroit politics, representing thousands of working-class voters. Two powerful groups announced this month that they would support candidates who are generally viewed as top contenders in the Aug. 5 primary. Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. secured support from the United Auto Workers (UAW), while the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of Michigan backed City Council President Mary Sheffield.
Kinloch’s campaign initially announced the UAW endorsement but removed references on social media a few days later. Sheffield’s campaign took notice, suggesting that it signaled the endorsement may have been made in error.
Sheffield told BridgeDetroit she heard “directly” from UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English that her support wasn’t locked in. A day later, English was quoted in a press release announcing the UAW’s support for Kinloch. It also included the blessing of UAW President Shawn Fain, who has sought to make the auto union more politically active in pursuit of reshaping the economy to benefit workers.
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The support comes with a pledge to deploy UAW members to knock doors, make calls, and turn out in force to elect Kinloch.
“In this election, Detroit needs a champion who will fight for the working class and build a city that works for everyone — not just the few,” Fain said in a statement. “Rev. Kinloch has the heart, the vision, and the moral leadership to deliver for working people.”
The UAW endorsement raised eyebrows among political observers because Sheffield’s grandfather played an instrumental role in opening the UAW to Black workers. Horace Sheffield Jr. helped stage the River Rouge Plant strike in 1941 that led to UAW recognition at Ford Motor Co. and founded the union’s interracial committee.
English, who could not be reached for comment, said Kinloch is “one of us.” The pastor was a member of UAW Local 235 when he worked at American Axle, as he noted during a mayoral forum hosted by the AFL-CIO.
“The union taught me solidarity,” Kinloch said at the April 29 event. “When you see your brother and your sister struggling and straining on the field, you don’t just stay in the stands. What you do is come down out the stands and do everything you can in order to advance the cause on the field.”
Brandice Mullen, vice president of SEIU Michigan, said Sheffield showed solidarity when she stood on the picket lines with striking service workers and created an industry standards board to improve conditions for arena workers.
“Mary Sheffield is a proven champion for the critical work and services SEIU Michigan members deliver for Detroit,” Mullen said in a statement. “She knows that when unions thrive, everyone benefits – from our communities to the economy.”
Kinloch’s family connections were also noticed after he was endorsed by Michigan’s 13th Congressional District Democratic Party, which is led by his brother Jonathan Kinloch.
Jonathan said he recused himself from screening and recommending candidates who requested the group’s endorsement. The pool of candidates included Attorney Todd Perkins and former nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins. Jonathan said a screening committee and executive board unanimously voted to support Kinloch.
“My brother’s interview stood on its own,” Jonathan said. “These races are going to be won and lost based upon getting your supporters out on Aug. 5, period. The more endorsements you have, the more you have the wind at your back to be able to make that happen.”
The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus does not plan to endorse a candidate until the general election, Chair Keith Williams said, though he is personally supporting Sheffield.
“Endorsements can generate publicity; they can generate attention, and raising awareness does make a difference for some people,” said Karen Dumas, a veteran communications strategist who served under multiple mayoral administrations. “But we (as voters) have to sort through everything and look at the candidate. What have they done? What are they now promising to do that they could have done before? What skill set are they bringing?”
Lavonia Perryman, a veteran Democratic organizer and political strategist, said the UAW and SEIU endorsements are notable because they came earlier than expected. She said it shows the unions are looking past the primary to the November general election, shoring up their preferred candidates sooner than usual.
“In this city, unions rule,” Perryman said. “Today, you need boots on the ground and finances early in the race, you need to shine brightly in the early stages to get the public to even acknowledge that you exist.”
Endorsements are also signals of where campaign donations will flow, Perryman said, often coming with commitments to raise certain dollar amounts. Fundraising activity won’t be reported until July, but disclosures filed at the end of last year showed Sheffield with $468,000 to spend. Kinloch hadn’t yet entered the race during the previous reporting period.
Perryman said the top three candidates will likely soak up most of the fundraising dollars while the others will be challenged to raise money to sustain their campaigns.
“It’s a signal to other candidates: Don’t even bother (seeking their support), they have locked in large dollars and boots on the ground,” Perryman said. “The money flows where money goes.”
While influential, the unions have far from a perfect track record with supporting candidates who go on to become mayor.
The UAW endorsed Benny Napoleon in 2013, Tom Barrow in 2009, Freman Hendrix in 2005, and Gil Hill in 2001. None became mayor. The SEIU of Michigan also endorsed Napoleon, Hendrix and Hill.
However, longtime political organizer Sam Riddle says the UAW’s support could tip the scales in a tight race.
“I expect abysmally low turnout,” Riddle said. “A field operation with UAW backing could be the difference in a tight, low-turnout election. Shawn Fain’s name will not carry as much weight as LaShawn English or Laura Dickerson; those two women are representatives of the working-class union movement. Where they carry the most weight is their ability to do the fieldwork – when LaShawn was running (for director), we shut down Woodward during the auto show. She is an organizer.”
Sheffield has stacked up several other endorsements from groups like UNITE HERE! Local 24 and individuals.
Sheffield launched her campaign with Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO Cindy Pasky, Judge Greg Mathis, Detroit Vs. Everybody founder Tommey Walker and The Lip Bar Founder Melissa Butler. She’s also gained support from prominent figures outside Detroit, like Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and attorney Ben Crump.
Perryman said Sheffield has gained the backing of “names written in the sky of Detroit,” like Mathis and former NAACP Detroit chapter President Elliott Hall.
Mayoral candidate and current District 7 Council Member Fred Durhal III flexed endorsements from a group of mayors across Michigan whom he previously served with in the state Legislature. Durhal has promoted his experience in the Michigan House throughout his campaign, also referenced in statements of support from Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel and Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman.
Perkins’ campaign committee is led by Hon. Richard P. Hathaway, while former Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee is working with Kinloch’s campaign. Jenkins has the support of former Mayor Dave Bing and her campaign launch featured Carla Walker-Miller, CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services.
Detroit Action is planning to make an endorsement in the next few weeks after receiving responses to questionnaires sent to all of the mayoral candidates. Political Director James Johnson Jr. said members of grassroots organizations will make the decision.
“The message (our endorsement) sends is these are people who are going to champion issues like affordable housing, economic justice and corporate accountability – that this person is a legit fighter for the city of Detroit.”
So far, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Detroit Federation of Teachers haven’t publicly endorsed a candidate. Byron Osborn, business representative for IBEW Local 58, said the union is finishing candidate screenings and will announce endorsements soon.
Candidate forums and upcoming debates are an important stage for mayoral hopefuls to make a good impression. The Detroit Regional Chamber is hosting the first debate in the campaign at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference on May 29.
Five candidates were invited to participate: Durhal, Kinloch, Jenkins, Sheffield and former Police Chief James Craig. Debate participants were selected by the Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee. There was no one deciding factor; the group considered fundraising, available polling, endorsements, leadership experience and individual perspectives of the candidates.
Other Detroiters who will appear on the 2025 ballot for mayor include businessmen Jonathan Barlow and Joel Haashiim and two-time mayoral candidate DaNetta Simpson. Community advocate Rogelio Landin is running as a write-in candidate.
Perryman said the debate’s audience is business and philanthropic leaders and policy makers who can afford the trip up, instead of Detroit voters.
“They’re talking to the corporate world, it’s not for Lavonia and her friends in Detroit.”