Bernie Sanders backing Thanedar challenger McKinney in Detroit

Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on Jun 17, 2025

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DETROIT — Progressive U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is backing a Michigan state lawmaker who is trying to unseat two-term U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar of Detroit.

Sanders said Tuesday that he's endorsing state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is running for Congress in Michigan’s 13th District, because he's taken on special interests in the state Legislature.

"He understands the struggles working class communities are facing in Detroit and across the country because he's lived those struggles himself," Sanders said.

"As a Member of Congress, Donavan will fight to raise the minimum wage to a living wage, fully fund our public schools, invest in public housing and support Medicare for All. A former union leader, he has dedicated his life to standing with working people, and is ready to lead the struggle against Donald Trump, the oligarchy, and the corporate interests who prioritize profits over people."

The announcement by Sanders comes about a month after McKinney picked up his first congressional endorsement ― that of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a fellow Democrat who represents the district next door to Thanedar's in Congress.

McKinney, first elected in 2022, launched his bid for the U.S. House this spring.

McKinney also has the backing of the progressive group Justice Democrats, which helped elect Tlaib and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York, and the endorsements of 14 current and former state lawmakers, many of them representing parts of Thanedar’s district, which covers a swath of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and Downriver communities in Wayne County.

Thanedar has defended his record amid the primary challenges, saying his office resolved more than 2,800 constituent problems, recovered $3 million for constituents, and delivered "world-class constituent communication,” including over a dozen in-person town halls.

He's also a formidable Democratic primary opponent, willing to sink millions of his own money into his campaigns. He touts winning Detroit, or the parts of his district that include Detroit, in his last seven elections, including primaries.

"We've solved 3,000 cases and recovered over $3.7 million for constituents. That's why Detroit voted for me seven times in a row, and that's why I know voters in the 13th will send me back to D.C. for my third term," Thanedar said after Tlaib's endorsement of McKinney.

In addition to McKinney, former state Sen. Adam Hollier of Detroit has launched a campaign in the 13th District.

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