Jonathan Kinloch

Jonathan Kinloch (Democratic Party) is a member of the Wayne County Commission in Michigan, representing District 2. He assumed office on January 7, 2021. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Kinloch (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Wayne County Commission to represent District 2 in Michigan. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Kinloch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Kinloch was appointed to the position by the Wayne County Commission to fill the vacancy left by Jewel Ware (D).^[1]

Biography

Jonathan Kinloch was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Northwestern High School. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur, founder of The Kinloch Group Inc., and with Giant Records/Warner Music Group. He has served on the Detroit Board of Education, the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, the Wayne County Planning and Development Commission, the Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals, the Detroit Library Commission, the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners, and with the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network and Detroit Wayne County Port Authority.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Kinloch has been affiliated with the following organizations:^[3]

Triumph Church
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan
Michigan Wolverine Consistory #6
Government Finance Officers Association
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Michigan Advisory Committee (USGLC)
National Association of County Officials (NACO)
Michigan Democratic Party
13th Congressional District Democratic Party

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 2

Incumbent Jonathan Kinloch won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 2 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jonathan Kinloch (D)	98.4	42,529
	Other/Write-in votes	1.6	671

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,200
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 2

Incumbent Jonathan Kinloch defeated Bobby Christian in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 2 on August 6, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jonathan Kinloch	72.0	9,965
	Bobby Christian	27.3	3,778
	Other/Write-in votes	0.7	99

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,842
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Kinloch received the following endorsements.

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights

2022

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 2

Incumbent Jonathan Kinloch won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 2 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jonathan Kinloch (D)	99.4	30,820
	Other/Write-in votes	0.6	182

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 31,002
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 2

Incumbent Jonathan Kinloch defeated Matthew Johnson in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 2 on August 2, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jonathan Kinloch	71.4	9,079
	Matthew Johnson	27.8	3,537
	Other/Write-in votes	0.8	105

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,721
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Beverly Kindle-Walker (D)

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Jonathan Kinloch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kinloch's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a Wayne County Commissioner seeking re-election for a third term, I have a proven track record of leadership and dedication to my community. Serving as Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means and Vice Chair of the Special Task Force on The Criminal Justice Complex, I am committed to addressing important issues such as economic development, public safety, and mental health services.

Outside of my role as a Commissioner, I also serve on the Board of Directors for Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, and the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners, advocating for sustainability and infrastructure development in the region. Additionally, my commitment to democratic processes was demonstrated through my service on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers during the 2020 Presidential Election.

With a background in public policy consulting and community liaison roles, I bring a wealth of experience to my position representing County Commission District 2. I have a strong connection to the community and a passion for addressing their needs and concerns.

As a leader in the Democratic Party, I hold positions as Chair of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party and 3rd Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. My dedication to public service and community engagement is further exemplified through my volunteer work and involvement in local and national causes.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

One of the most pressing issues facing Wayne County today is affordable housing. Many of our residents are houseless or at risk of becoming houseless due to the escalating costs of living. This is not just an issue of housing; it's an issue of dignity and respect for all citizens. As your Wayne County Commissioner, a key message for my campaign for re-election is the dire need for affordable housing in our county. This isn't just a political talking point – it's a cause I'm deeply committed to. I am determined to find the ways and means within our budget to fund affordable housing initiatives and seek external funding and partnerships to augment our efforts.
In Wayne County, one of the most pressing issues we face is the mental and behavioral health crisis. Far too many of our residents struggle with mental health and substance use disorders, often without access to the necessary support and treatment. As your Wayne County Commissioner, I am deeply committed to addressing this crisis and improving the well-being of our community. During my tenure on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, I have seen firsthand the significant impact that mental health services can have. We must continue to expand these services and ensure they are accessible to all Wayne County residents, regardless of their ability to pay. Mental health is not a luxury; it is a basic right.
My commitment to upholding democratic principles is unwavering. I have demonstrated this through my service on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, where I played a crucial role in certifying Wayne County's 2020 Presidential Election results. As your Commissioner, I will continue to fight for fair elections and the democratic process, ensuring that your voices are heard. We must all work hard at getting our families, neighbors, co-workers and friends out to vote in the August Primary and November General elections, like our lives depend on it. Because it does.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about public policy in mental and behavioral health services, sustainable development, eliminating the digital gulf, and upholding democratic principles. As Wayne County Commissioner, I’ve tried to address the mental health crisis, advocate for sustainable development, and work to ensure fair elections. Also, I believe investing in our housing infrastructure, public transportation, and natural resources is essential for future generations.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Books: Master of the Senate, All Politics is Local, The Impostors, Art of War, Leading Issues Black Political Economy by Thomas D. Boston

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Having an attentive ear and a slow tongue, always be willing to listen to residents with an open mind. Oftentimes, complaints from citizens are the Canary in the Coal Mine. Understand what’s at the core of their concerns, and when addressing the issues, push through the bureaucracy, doing your best to bring about positive change for your residents.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Constituency Services

Addressing mental health crisis and advocating for mental and behavioral health services

Advocating for sustainable development and investing in infrastructure and natural resources

Adopting a county budget

Appointments: Direct and Advice/Consent

Maintaining and building county roads

Supervising the administration of county government

Approval of contracts/expenditures

Furthering economic development

Providing park and recreation facilities

Funding/General Oversight (monitoring) of courts and jails

Determining county tax rates, according to statutory requirements and limitations

Establishing and enforcing sewage and drainage development regulations

Issuing bonds

Providing veteran services

Adopting equalization and property assessments

Public Hearings

Community Meetings

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was during my time at Detroit Public Schools Northwestern High School. It all started in the 9th grade when I joined the Junior Police program. This program not only provided valuable skills and experiences but also gave me the opportunity to work during summer breaks. We were employed to work at Senior Buildings, patrol Belle Isle, or serve as Good Will Ambassadors for the Detroit Police Department at various locations across the city. In addition to this hands-on work experience, I also had the chance to intern in the offices of some prominent individuals in the community. I worked in the Office of former Detroit City Council President Erma L. Henderson, Ombudsman Marie Farrell-Donaldson, and former County Commissioners Chairman Arthur Carter, Clarence Young, and Bernard Kilpatrick. These experiences allowed me to learn from some of the most respected leaders in our city and gain valuable insights into the workings of local government. Overall, my time in high school was not just about academics but also about gaining practical experience and learning from the best in the field. These experiences shaped me into who I am today and laid the foundation for my future career path.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

UAW

13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC PARTY
METRO AFL-CIO
IBEW LOCAL 58
MICHIGAN AFSCME COUNCIL 25
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
MICHIGAN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND MILLWRIGHTS
UNITED ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBERS LOCAL 98
BLACK SLATE
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN
ORIGINAL EASTSIDE SLATE
FANNIE LOU HAMMER P.A.C.
HON. MICHAEL E. DUGGAN, MAYOR OF DETROIT
HON. WARREN C. EVANS, COUNTY EXECUTIVE
HON. CATHY M. GARRETT, COUNTY CLERK
HON. ERIC SABREE, COUNTY TREASURER
HON. RAPHAEL WASHINGTON, COUNTY SHERIFF
HON. KYM WORTHY, COUNTY PROSECUTOR
HON. BERNARD YOUNGBLOOD, COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS

PASTOR SOLOMON W. KINLOCH, JR., PASTOR, TRIUMPH CHURCH

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Transparency and accountability are interconnected, with transparency serving to achieve accountability. This means that as public officials, we can be held responsible for our decisions; without these, trust between a government and its citizens would be weakened.

The Open Meetings Act serves as a way of protecting fairness and ensuring the decisions are made in the public’s view. It is a crucial mechanism for safeguarding the interests of the public and promoting accountability in government decisions.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Jonathan Kinloch did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

External links

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Candidate

Wayne County Commission District 2

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Officeholder

Wayne County Commission District 2

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Michigan Chronicle, "Wayne County Commission Appoints Jonathan Kinloch As New Commissioner,"accessed February 18, 2022
↑ Charter County of Wayne Michigan, "Jonathan C. Kinloch (Dist. 2)," accessed February 18, 2022
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 8, 2024
↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Jonathan Kinloch," July 7, 2024

Political offices
Preceded by Jewel Ware (D)	Wayne County Commission District 2 2021–Present	Succeeded by NA

[1] Michigan Chronicle, "Wayne County Commission Appoints Jonathan Kinloch As New Commissioner,"accessed February 18, 2022

[2] Charter County of Wayne Michigan, "Jonathan C. Kinloch (Dist. 2)," accessed February 18, 2022

[bio-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 8, 2024

[4] Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Jonathan Kinloch," July 7, 2024

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Jonathan Kinloch

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 2

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 2

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 2

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 2

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

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