Incumbent Shri Thanedar (D), Donavan McKinney (D), and four other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District on August 4, 2026. As of May 2026, Thanedar and McKinney led in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention.
Local radio station WDET's Russ McNamara said Thanedar is "facing a difficult primary opponent, State Representative Donavan McKinney. The progressive Democrat has already been endorsed by Black leaders in Detroit and other [progressives] like Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders." NBC News' Allan Smith said the primary "will also serve as another proxy fight over the war in Gaza as Thanedar, previously a critic of the Israeli government in the state Legislature, renounced his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, saying the DSA did not offer adequate condemnation of it."
As of May 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic. In the 2024 primary, Thanedar defeated Mary Waters (D) 54.9%–33.8%.
Thanedar was elected in 2022 and served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. He earlier worked as a chemist and entrepreneur. Thanedar's campaign website says he has "brought in millions of federal dollars to Michigan’s 13th District, and have brought federal dollars to some municipalities that haven’t had federal investment in decades. On the Small Business committee, I’ve focused on helping increase access to capital for small businesses." Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed Thanedar.
McKinney was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022. He earlier worked as a staffer in the Michigan House and an organizer with the Service Employees International Union. In a campaign ad, McKinney said, "We deserve a Democratic Party that leads the fight against the billionaires robbing us blind. That stands up to corporate PACs. Our country and our children can afford nothing less. People like our congressman, Shri Thanedar, are the problem." Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed McKinney.
Also running in the primary are Shelby Campbell (D), Anthony Carbonaro (D), John Goci (D), and Naz Hassan (D).
In 2024, Thanedar defeated Martell Bivings (R) 68.6%–24.5%.
