McKinney defeats Thanedar in Michigan Democratic primary

State Rep. Donavan McKinney has defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, CBS News and NBC News projected, handing a win to a progressive challenger in a Detroit-area seat.

McKinney, a 34-year-old state lawmaker and democratic socialist, built his campaign around relatability, Detroit roots and a promise to focus on everyday people. He emphasized restoring Black representation in Detroit and putting workers over corporations, while supporting Medicare for All, clean energy investment, more funding for public schools, federal abortion rights and reduced corporate influence in politics. He also called for ending military aid to Israel and placing new restrictions on such aid.

Thanedar, who is finishing his second term in Congress, had largely self-funded his political rise. He first won the seat in 2022 after taking a crowded nine-way Democratic primary with 28.3% of the vote, then won renomination in 2024 against Mary Walters with 54.9%. Before Congress, he represented Detroit in the Michigan House from 2021 to 2023.

The race exposed contrasts between two Democrats who both campaigned on progressive policy goals but differed sharply in biography, political alliances and the way they were viewed by parts of the party.

McKinney is a lifelong Detroiter, a graduate of Detroit Public Schools and the University of Michigan, and has worked in organizing and public service. His campaign highlighted his experience growing up in poverty and becoming the first in his family to attend college, arguing that he could be effective in Congress immediately.

Thanedar was born to a poor family in India and immigrated to the United States in 1979 to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. He later became the chief executive of several multimillion-dollar pharmaceutical development companies. In Congress, he has supported affordability measures, housing, universal health care and abolishing ICE, and he co-sponsored legislation including the Medicare for All Act, the Raise the Wage Act, the American Teacher Act and the Investing in Main Street Act of 2023.

Thanedar also became a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and introduced articles of impeachment against him in April 2025. NBC News reported that some Democrats criticized that effort because it was not sanctioned by party leadership, though Thanedar received endorsements from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson.

His campaign and tenure drew scrutiny on several fronts. Critics pointed to his lack of Detroit roots and his identity as a wealthy businessman who spent millions on his campaigns while representing Michigan’s poorest district. He also faced criticism for accepting corporate PAC money and spending taxpayer money on advertising. NBC News reported that his campaign had disclosed more than $2 million in losses this year tied to cryptocurrency investments and that he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money on official television ads that looked similar to campaign ads.

Thanedar had initially run as a progressive but broke with the Democratic Socialists of America in 2023 after Hamas’ attacks on Israel. CBS News reported that he renounced his membership, citing the group’s failure to condemn the attacks; NBC News reported that Thanedar says he quit while the local chapter says he was expelled.

McKinney won support from high-profile progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ilhan Omar and former Rep. Brenda Lawrence. NBC News also reported that Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Justice Democrats and Leaders We Deserve backed him as part of a broader slate of challengers to incumbents.