Shri Thanedar, Donavan McKinney face off in Michigan's 13th congressional district primary

State Rep. Donavan McKinney is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in a competitive battle over Michigan's 13th Congressional District.
The two Democrats both hold strong progressive policy viewpoints but differ in their backgrounds and values ahead of the Democratic primary. The winner of the primary will likely head to Washington, D.C., next year as Detroit remains a solidly blue district.
Thanedar, who is finishing up his second term in Congress, is largely self-funding his campaign. He was elected to Congress in 2022 after winning the nine-way primary with 28.3% of the votes. McKinney, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is running on a platform centered on relatability and everyday people.
Thanedar was first elected to Congress in 2022 and was reelected in 2024 after winning the Democratic primary against Mary Walters with 54.9% of the vote.
Thanedar represented Detroit in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. He was born to a poor family in India and immigrated to the U.S. to pursue his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1979.
Thanedar is a vocal critic of President Trump, having introduced articles of impeachment against him in April 2025.
Thanedar's endorsements include those from his congressional colleagues, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Rep Judy Chu and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson.
Throughout his political career, Thanedar has faced criticism for accepting corporate PAC money and spending taxpayer money on advertising. He renounced his Democratic Socialists of America membership in October 2023, citing their failure to condemn Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel.
McKinney is a lifelong Detroiter who's running on a platform centered on relatability and focusing on everyday people.
McKinney has received high-profile endorsements from Congressional progressives, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence.
This is Thanedar's toughest primary yet, as opponents and colleagues criticize his lack of Detroit roots and his identity as a wealthy businessman who has spent millions on his campaign while representing Michigan's poorest district.
McKinney's campaign touches on restoring Black representation in Detroit and putting workers over corporations.