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D Democratic · U.S. House 13, Michigan · Nov 3, 2026

Donavan
McKinney

Detroit Democrat and state legislator running for Michigan's 13th Congressional District after defeating incumbent Shri Thanedar in 2026 primary

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
23
positions
11
endorsements
21
donavanforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Chris Dardzinski U+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Donavan McKinney is a Democratic politician from Detroit, Michigan, currently serving as a Michigan state representative for House District 11. A lifelong Detroiter, he attended Detroit Renaissance High School and earned a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor's Gerald R. Ford School in 2014. 310

Before entering elected office, McKinney worked in community engagement for Community Development Advocates of Detroit, in admissions and student-life roles at Wayne County Community College District, and led coalition work with SEIU Healthcare Michigan. He also worked as a legislative director in the Michigan House. 510

First elected to the Michigan House in 2022 and reelected in 2024, McKinney won the 2026 Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District, defeating then-incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar. He is the Democratic nominee for that seat in the November 2026 general election. 1116

McKinney's campaign priorities have drawn endorsements from organizations including MoveOn and Gen-Z for Change. He describes himself as fighting for working families in the Detroit area. 21217

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 13, Michigan
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Michigan State Representative, House District 11
Website
donavanforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 9
    news
    Report reveals $380,000 in Working Families Party PAC independent expenditures supporting McKinney

    A Washington Post report republished by Yahoo detailed that Working Families Party PAC made a $5,000 direct contribution to McKinney's campaign on March 11 and spent $380,000 in independent expenditures supporting him via direct mail and texts. McKinney also received $241,000 in direct contributions of $2,000 or more through June 30.

    Progressives' small-donor image meets big money - Yahoo · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    news
    U.S. News profiles McKinney as a DSA-aligned congressional candidate focused on workers' rights and Green New Deal

    A U.S. News profile noted McKinney's campaign focuses on workers' rights, taxing the wealthy, campaign-funding caps, and a Green New Deal to create environmental union jobs.

    Meet the U.S. Democratic Socialists On Ballots for Congress in 2026 · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 5
    endorsement
    Voters of Tomorrow endorses McKinney, citing healthcare and voting rights priorities

    The major youth voting organization endorsed McKinney. In comments to theGrio, McKinney said he was 'thrilled' to stand with the group and named universal healthcare, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and ending Citizens United as congressional goals.

    Exclusive: Major youth voting group backs 3 progressive Black candidates ahead of Election Day · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 3
    filing
    McKinney listed as Democratic nominee on Michigan general-election ballot for November 3

    McKinney was confirmed as the Democratic nominee for MI-13 on the general-election ballot, with the election set for November 3, 2026.

    Michigan 2026 General Election Guide: Candidates & Ballot · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 29
    endorsement
    Detroit News editorial board endorses McKinney in MI-13 general election

    The Detroit News endorsed McKinney over Republican nominee Taras Nykoriak, with the editorial board citing Nykoriak's criminal case as part of its rationale. The board also noted McKinney is a DSA member.

    The Detroit News endorses in Michigan's 13th Congressional District race · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 23
    endorsement
    End Citizens United endorses McKinney in MI-13

    ECU endorsed McKinney, citing his rejection of corporate PAC money, support for a congressional stock-trading ban, and commitment to fighting dark money in elections.

    ECU Endorses State Representative Donavan McKinney in ... · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 23
    endorsement
    Michigan Education Association recommends McKinney for MI-13

    The MEA announced McKinney as its recommended candidate for Michigan's 13th Congressional District following its member screening and recommendation process.

    MEA announces full list of candidate recommendations for Election 2026 - Michigan Education Association · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 18
    news
    McKinney and Thanedar meet in D.C. after combative primary

    Following the contentious primary, McKinney and defeated incumbent Thanedar met in Washington, D.C., signaling a post-primary reconciliation after a close and hard-fought race.

    McKinney, Thanedar Meet in D.C. After Combative Primary · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 15
    news
    Labor voices column highlights Michigan union voters demanding real change

    A Detroit News labor voices column discussed Michigan union voters' expectations for candidates this fall, part of the broader context in which McKinney was running as the Democratic nominee in MI-13.

    The working people powering Michigan deserve leaders who deliver · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Aug 4
    news
    McKinney defeats incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar in Democratic primary for MI-13

    McKinney won the Democratic primary with 51.9% of the vote to Thanedar's 48.1%. Thanedar conceded the next day, congratulating McKinney and acknowledging voters had chosen him to represent the district.

    US left-wing challengers topple three Indian-American Democrats · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Detroit Ecumenical Ministers Alliance organization
    Endorsement announced in a campaign news item; announcement date not specified in the source. donavanforcongress.com
  • Bernie Sanders official
    U.S. senator from Vermont; listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Rashida Tlaib official
    U.S. representative for Michigan's 12th District; listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Ayanna Pressley official
    U.S. representative; listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Ilhan Omar official
    U.S. representative; listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Summer Lee official
    U.S. representative; listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Wayne County Executive Warren Evans official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page without a date. donavanforcongress.com
  • Council of Pastors organization
    Endorsement announced in a campaign news item; announcement date not specified in the source. donavanforcongress.com
  • The Detroit News newspaper
    Endorsed McKinney for the general election; the paper noted it was the first time it had endorsed a candidate in a congressional race. detroitnews.com · Sep 29, 2026
  • End Citizens United organization
    Announced endorsement of McKinney in Michigan's 13th Congressional District. endcitizensunited.org · Sep 23, 2026
  • MoveOn organization
    Endorsed McKinney; candidate page published September 21, 2026. front.moveon.org · Sep 21, 2026
  • Arab American News newspaper
    Endorsed McKinney in its July 31, 2026 primary endorsements. arabamericannews.com · Jul 31, 2026
  • Abdul El-Sayed official
    Then a U.S. Senate candidate; cross-endorsed McKinney in their respective Democratic primaries, reported by The Detroit News on July 27, 2026. detroitnews.com · Jul 27, 2026
  • Steven Horsford official
    U.S. representative and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; endorsement reported by The American Prospect on July 27, 2026. prospect.org · Jul 27, 2026
  • Michigan Chronicle newspaper
    Endorsed McKinney in the 13th District race. michiganchronicle.com · Jul 15, 2026
  • Metro Detroit Democratic Socialists of America organization
    Publicly announced endorsement on June 18, 2026, as reported by The Detroit News and other outlets. detroitnews.com · Jun 18, 2026
  • Michigan AFL-CIO union
    Endorsed McKinney; endorsements determined by a vote of affiliated unions. miaflcio.org · Jun 12, 2026
  • Working Families Party organization
    Endorsed McKinney for the Democratic nomination. workingfamilies.org · Feb 27, 2026
  • National Nurses United union
    Announced endorsement for Michigan's 13th District. nationalnursesunited.org · Jan 23, 2026
  • Justice Democrats organization
    Organization's first congressional endorsement in four years, according to The American Prospect. washingtonexaminer.com · Apr 28, 2025

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.37M
Spent
$1.23M
Cash on hand
$143K

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MI13254(opens in a new tab)

Sources 23

  1. [1] US left-wing challengers topple three Indian-American Democrats(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Michigan 2026 General Election Guide: Candidates & Ballot(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Priorities(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  4. [4] Progressives' small-donor image meets big money - Yahoo(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  5. [5] Meet the U.S. Democratic Socialists On Ballots for Congress in 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  6. [6] News(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  7. [7] Exclusive: Major youth voting group backs 3 progressive Black candidates ahead of Election Day(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  8. [8] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  9. [9] The Detroit News endorses in Michigan's 13th Congressional District race(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  10. [10] ECU Endorses State Representative Donavan McKinney in ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  11. [11] MEA announces full list of candidate recommendations for Election 2026 - Michigan Education Association(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  12. [12] Donavan McKinney : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  13. [13] McKinney, Thanedar Meet in D.C. After Combative Primary(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  14. [14] The working people powering Michigan deserve leaders who deliver(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  15. [15] The stakes could not be higher: Our choices for Michigan’s August primary(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
  16. [16] The CBC Challenge in Detroit - The American Prospect(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2026
  17. [17] McKinney pushes Black representation in bid to unseat Thanedar(opens in a new tab) Jul 27, 2026
  18. [18] Black Detroiters Deserve More: Michigan Chronicle Endorses Donavan McKinney in 13th District Race(opens in a new tab) Jul 15, 2026
  19. [19] Michigan's Labor Movement Endorses Donavan McKinney ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 12, 2026
  20. [20] State Rep. Donavan McKinney talks issues, 13th District Congressional primary - WDET 101.9 FM(opens in a new tab) Apr 1, 2026
  21. [21] WFP Endorses Donavan McKinney, William Lawrence ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 27, 2026
  22. [22] National Nurses United endorses Donavan McKinney for ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2026
  23. [23] Justice Democrats endorse progressive challenger in ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 28, 2025
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