The progressive group Justice Democrats has announced its support for Michigan state Representative Donavan McKinney in his bid to challenge incumbent Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. This marks the group’s first primary challenge against a sitting Democrat since the 2021–22 cycle.
Donavan McKinney, a 32-year-old resident of Detroit, is contesting against Shri Thanedar, a millionaire who has been in office since 2023. McKinney expressed pride in receiving the endorsement from Justice Democrats, emphasizing the struggle of working-class families against wealthy political influences.
Raised in a working-class environment, McKinney’s family experienced economic hardships. Despite these challenges, he became the first in his family to earn a college degree and went on to lead SEIU Healthcare Michigan, the state’s largest healthcare union. McKinney was elected to the Michigan State House in 2022 and re-elected in 2024. He now aims to represent Michigan’s heavily Democratic 13th District in Congress.
McKinney criticized Thanedar for his perceived alignment with figures such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and accused him of accepting corporate donations. McKinney’s campaign highlights his understanding of local struggles, from housing insecurity to environmental issues, and positions him as a voice against corporate interests in politics.
The challenge presents a significant test for Thanedar, who is known for self-financing his campaigns significantly. Justice Democrats, after a successful history with candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, faced challenges in the 2024 cycle but now aim to regain momentum with McKinney’s candidacy.
Alexandra Rojas, the executive director of Justice Democrats, expressed confidence in McKinney’s alignment with the values the group supports, seeking to empower working-class individuals over wealthy elites.