Shri Thanedar Ousted by DSA-Backed Challenger in Michigan Democratic Primary

Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar’s bid for a third term in Congress came to an abrupt end after Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney defeated him in the Democratic primary for the state’s 13th Congressional District.

McKinney, a Detroit-area lawmaker backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, scored another victory for the Democratic Party’s increasingly powerful progressive wing. The Associated Press projected McKinney as the winner Wednesday following Michigan’s primary election.

Thanedar, who has represented the heavily Democratic district since 2023, entered the race with a major financial advantage. The wealthy businessman had millions available to his campaign and spent heavily to promote himself, but the incumbent was unable to overcome a consolidated challenge from his left.

McKinney received support from several prominent figures on the far left, including Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib and socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. Progressive organizations also rallied behind his campaign as they sought to remove Thanedar despite the incumbent himself being a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

The race was considerably different from Thanedar’s previous primary battles because McKinney was able to consolidate much of the opposition to the congressman. That gave progressive activists a clearer opportunity to defeat the incumbent rather than splitting the anti-Thanedar vote among several serious challengers.

Thanedar had faced criticism during his time in office over his business record and campaign spending, including his use of prominent billboards featuring himself. Despite attempting to establish himself as a progressive voice in Congress, he ultimately failed to win over enough voters in the Detroit-based district to survive the challenge.

McKinney’s victory comes amid a string of successful challenges from the Democratic Party’s left flank. Progressive candidates also posted significant victories elsewhere in Michigan, strengthening the influence of activists and organizations pushing Democrats further to the left ahead of the November midterm elections.

Michigan’s 13th District includes much of Detroit along with several surrounding Wayne County communities. The district strongly favors Democrats, making McKinney the clear favorite heading into the general election against Republican nominee T.P. Nykoriak.

For Thanedar, the primary defeat brings his brief congressional career closer to an end after two terms representing Detroit. For the Democratic Party, McKinney’s win provides another indication that socialist-backed and progressive candidates are gaining ground in Democratic primaries, even when doing so means taking out sitting members of their own party.