Editor’s note: This story has been updated after more websites were discovered.
Several “election commentary” websites promoting 2025 mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow could redirect people searching the names of his opponents.
BridgeDetroit first learned of a website allegedly hijacking Rev. Solomon Kinloch’s name a week ahead of his anticipated mayoral campaign launch. After publishing a report on Saturday, additional websites were found for Mary Sheffield, Fred Durhal III and Saunteel Jenkins.
All websites follow the same format.
Kinlochfordetroit.com asks “Who is Solomon Kinloch?” but prominently promotes rival mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow. A disclaimer denies the site is affiliated with Barlow, but the page depicts him as more competent than Kinloch and includes multiple links to his campaign website.
The same format is seen on sites Several “election commentary” websites promoting 2025 mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow could redirect people searching the names of his opponents.
BridgeDetroit first learned of a website allegedly hijacking Rev. Solomon Kinloch’s name a week ahead of his anticipated mayoral campaign launch. After publishing a report on Saturday, additional websites were found for Mary Sheffield, Fred Durhal III and Saunteel Jenkins.
The other websites – sheffieldfordetroit.com, freddurhal.com, jenkinsfordetroit.com – follow the same format.
Related:
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- 2025 Detroit candidates are making moves
- Attorney Ben Crump visits Detroit to promote Sheffield’s mayoral bid
- Cash is flowing in 2025 Detroit mayoral race: Who’s writing the check?
- City Councilman Fred Durhal officially launches mayoral campaign
“All I know is there are a lot of comparison sites out there comparing me to other candidates,” Barlow said Friday. He referred additional questions to his campaign team.
Remy Sirls, a consultant for Barlow’s campaign, said the “crazy” website was not created by a member of his team. Sirls said she discovered it a day earlier and checked with all staff.
“It’s a little bit odd. Definitely odd,” Sirls said. “We’ve sort of left it alone and thought ‘OK somebody did it, we’re not going to worry too much about it yet.’ But it is bothersome, to say the least.”
A headshot of Barlow used in his campaign materials is included at the bottom of the homepage next to a blurb describing him as “focused on revitalizing neighborhoods, strengthening workforce opportunities, and integrating technology into city government.”
The site includes a chart comparing Kinloch and Barlow’s stances on issues that are also featured on Barlow’s official website.
Kinloch is expected to launch his candidacy Feb. 19 from the Fox Theatre. He’s led Triumph Church since 1998, serving a rapidly growing congregation. It operates from eight locations from Detroit to Flint across “the spiritual beltway.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kinloch transitioned to delivering services to members. The church distributed groceries, electronics and crisis care packages to families. He innovated socially-distant worship through online streaming and drive-in sermons delivered in the church parking lot from the back of a truck.
His brother, Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch, said someone simply scooped the domain before they could.
Jenkins on Saturday afternoon decried the “deceptive” sites.
“Detroit is at a critical crossroads in 2025 and we deserve better than deceptive ‘politics as usual.’ Detroiters deserve an honest look at all the candidates and issues,” she said. “Any candidate stooping to this level has nothing real to offer. I am offering real solutions, including my focus on creating more jobs and economic opportunity for all, and investing in every Detroiter, from cradle to career and beyond.”
Sheffield’s campaign declined to comment. Durhal did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday afternoon.
Barlow, a businessman and youth pastor, filed to run for mayor on Jan. 27. He hasn’t yet held a public launch event. Barlow’s official website lists a bio and three campaign office locations.