Detroit's Donavan McKinney launches Congressional bid with help of national progressive group

The Detroit Democrat's campaign called U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, "Detroit's own Elon Musk."

Donavan McKinney inside the Michigan Capitol. Photo: Samuel Robinson

A 32-year-old Detroit Democrat who comes from one of Michigan’s poorest districts wants to replace millionaire incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, in Congress.

Donavan McKinney, the Democrat State Representative for Michigan’s 11th State House District, launched his campaign for U.S. Congress in Michigan's 13th Congressional District Monday to challenge Thanedar in the Democratic primary in 2026.

His campaign called Thanedar “Detroit’s own Elon Musk.”

“I’m not running for Congress because I’m a millionaire or a billionaire. I’m running because I’m not,” Mckinney said in a statement.

“I’m running because our community deserves to have someone fighting back against the Trump-Musk administration who knows our struggles of housing insecurity, of wages that haven’t kept up with the cost of living, of environmental racism, and more — someone who has lived those struggles, and will fight for us with the urgency that this moment demands,” he said.

McKinney is a product of Detroit Public Schools and a first generation college graduate. He has a degree from the University of Michigan.

McKinney’s campaign released this video in which he called Thanedar “the problem” with American politics, accusing the second-term Congressman of buying his seat. He says he wants to bring “economic security” to the district and fight back against utility corporations, insurance giants and corporate real estate developers.

He also touted endorsements from his legislative colleagues and by Justice Democrats, a national grassroots progressive organization that recruited and helped elect progressive lawmakers like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Summer Lee, and Rashida Tlaib.

As part of the campaign launch, McKinney is hosting an event Monday evening with friends, neighbors and supporters at SAY Detroit Play at Lipke Community Center in Detroit.

“I’m running for Congress so that you will never have to wonder if your Congressman is fighting for you in Washington. You know I will be — and I will always answer the phone for our community, for our kids, for all of us.”

The last time I spoke to McKinney was at Lt. Garlin Gilchrist’s gubernatorial campaign announcement event in Detroit. He couldn’t say much about his Congressional aspirations when asked, but he didn’t deny the interest.

I called him this morning around 8:30am before publication of this article, but he didn’t answer. Had we spoken, I would’ve asked what the conversation between himself and former state Sen. Adam Hollier, who announced earlier this month he would run again to challenge Thanedar.

“I’ve certainly talked to Donovan and I’m doing everything I can to show folks that I am the strongest candidate in the 13th Congressional District,” Hollier told me.