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HOLLAND, Mich. — In a move aimed at restoring Black representation in Detroit, local Democrats are working to unseat an incumbent, sparking a broader debate within the party about the effectiveness of challenging their own candidates.
State Representative Donavan McKinney, at 32 years old, has officially entered the race for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. He joins former state Senator Adam Hollier in a bid to unseat current U.S. Representative Shri Thanedar in the upcoming primary.
“I’m motivated to run because our community deserves representation that understands our challenges,” McKinney stated. “It’s crucial that we have someone fighting for us who has experienced our struggles firsthand and is ready to act with the urgency our times require.”
This election cycle arrives amid significant discussions among House Democrats regarding the party’s future direction, especially looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections where reclaiming the majority is a priority.
McKinney has quickly secured several endorsements from state lawmakers in Detroit and is receiving backing from Justice Democrats, a group recognized for its alignment with the progressive wing of the party.
Thanedar, confident in his accomplishments as a Congressman, defended his position. “The voters can choose between my strong, experienced leadership or the inexperience of McKinney and the shortcomings of Hollier,” he remarked in a statement.
Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg has faced backlash within his party for his decision to fundraise for candidates who are challenging Democratic incumbents. Hogg believes the party requires new leadership to confront Republican ideologies more directly and better engage younger voters.
When asked if he planned to support the candidates in the 13th district, a spokesperson mentioned that details about Hogg’s involvement in specific races are yet to be disclosed.
Thanedar, a wealthy former state legislator and an immigrant from India, has been under scrutiny from some Democrats within his district since his ascent from a competitive nine-way primary win in 2022. His election led to Detroit, which is approximately 80% Black, lacking any Black representation in Congress for the first time since Charles Diggs Jr. took office in 1955.
Hollier, motivated to unseat Thanedar for the upcoming elections, previously garnered significant support but was disqualified from the ballot due to having insufficient valid signatures, as determined by election officials.
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abcnews.go.com