Thousands of people showed up at the Fox Theatre downtown Wednesday night to support the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr.

Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. of Detroit-based Triumph Church launched his campaign for mayor Wednesday night with a packed, high-energy event at the Fox Theatre. Why it matters: The well-known faith leader is the highest-profile candidate to enter the race without coming from a background in city government.

Kinloch, 51, pastor of Detroit's Triumph Church, filed his "Solomon Kinloch for Mayor" candidate committee paperwork on Tuesday and drove in thousands of attendees to his elaborate announcement — many from his church — filling up the main floor and mezzanine of the Fox Theatre with supporters of his candidacy.