Michigan State Representative Donavan McKinney has secured a major primary victory, defeating two-term incumbent U.S. Representative Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.

Born and raised on the northeast side of Detroit by his mother and grandmother, McKinney’s path to public service was shaped by early working-class struggles. After navigating housing instability that forced his family to move 13 times, he spent up to five hours a day on city buses to attend Renaissance High School.

He went on to become the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan.

Before entering elected office, McKinney built a career around grassroots advocacy and political organizing. He worked as a legislative director in Lansing, a community organizer for Detroit neighborhood development nonprofits, political director for SEIU Healthcare Michigan, and national political director at Climate Power.

First elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022, McKinney focused his legislative record on holding utility monopolies accountable, securing funding for community violence intervention, and expanding protections for working families.

Backed by prominent progressive leaders including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, McKinney anchored his congressional campaign around systemic reform and grassroots funding. His platform centered on rejecting corporate PAC money, advancing campaign finance reform, and supporting broad progressive policies such as a Green New Deal and universal healthcare access. He also drew clear foreign policy contrasts during the primary race by advocating for an end to U.S. military aid and arms transfers to Israel.

With Michigan’s 13th Congressional District covering Detroit and key surrounding communities in Wayne County, the heavily Democratic lean of the district positions McKinney as the clear favorite as he advances to face Republican nominee T.P. Nykoriak in the general election.