Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney defeated three-term Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the state’s 13th Congressional District, Decision Desk HQ projected early Wednesday.
McKinney, 34, was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and the Detroit chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. He also picked up endorsements last week from members of the Congressional Black Caucus, according to Politico, even as House Democratic leadership stood behind the 71-year-old Thanedar.
The 13th District covers Detroit, which is roughly 75% Black, according to Census data, and is considered solidly Democratic, all but guaranteeing McKinney a seat in the next Congress.
Thanedar, who became the first Indian American to represent Michigan in Congress, built his fortune after buying a small chemical analysis lab in 1991 for $75,000 and growing it into Avomeen Analytical Services, which he later sold for millions.
“People like our congressman, Shri Thanedar, are the problem,” McKinney said in a campaign video. “A multimillionaire who spent millions to buy a seat in Congress, who has more in common with Donald Trump and Elon Musk than people like us.”
“We deserve a Democratic Party that leads the fight against the billionaires that are robbing us blind. That stands up to corporate PACs. Our country and our children can afford nothing less,” McKinney said.
Thanedar had already split with the DSA once before. He renounced his membership in October 2023 after Hamas’ terror attack on Israel that killed roughly 1,200 people, citing what he called a “hate-filled and antisemitic” rally in New York promoted by the city’s DSA chapter.
“I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms,” Thanedar wrote at the time. “I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself.”
Days before Tuesday’s vote, Thanedar told reporters he was proud to call himself an American citizen “although there are some concerns with the new administration.”
McKinney’s win is the latest in a string of DSA-backed victories this summer. Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in New York’s primary. In Colorado, 29-year-old Melat Kiros beat 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO).
The wins come as socialist candidates in other states also advance. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, is running for governor in Wisconsin to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers, D. In Florida’s 23rd District, DSA-backed Oliver Larkin is seeking to unseat Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), a member of the progressive “Squad” alongside fellow DSA member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is seeking her own fifth term representing Michigan’s neighboring 12th District.
