DETROIT -- In what appeared to be a new campaign tactic, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick removed his trademark diamond earring.

"As long as I am mayor of this town, I'll never put it back in," said Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick campaigned for re-election Wednesday night without his earring, Local 4 reported. The mayor said he removed it the day after a September debate with challenger Freman Hendrix.

Kilpatrick said he watched video footage of the debate and decided, "It's time for it to go."

Kilpatrick, who has embraced his reputation as a hip-hop mayor, has sported the earring for several years, Local 4 reported.

"It was insignificant to me, but it was so significant to the people of this city," said Kilpatrick.

Comedian Chris Rock adopted Kilpatrick's style for the movie "Head Of State," Local 4 reported.

Kilpatrick responded to Rock's appearance in July 2002, saying, "I don't wear loud suits. I don't know where he got that ... but I do have a big earring. I can't hide from that."

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson mocked Kilpatrick in a 2004 appearance at Mackinac Island, wearing a phony earring, Local 4 reported.

Voters, who head to the polls Nov. 8, commented on the earring removal Wednesday.

"If he did it two years ago, what's the difference now?" asked one voter, whose name was not available.

A second voter added, "I don't think the earring will make that big of a difference."