Candidate briefing
Donavan McKinney is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, covering most of Detroit and nearby suburbs. A lifelong Detroiter, he has served in the Michigan House since 2023 and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
On August 4 he defeated two-term Rep. Shri Thanedar, 51.9% to 48.1%, despite Thanedar’s self-funding and establishment backing. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Rashida Tlaib supported McKinney.
He faces Republican Taras Nykoriak on November 3 in a solidly Democratic district. DSA, Justice Democrats, Our Revolution, the Working Families Party, Indivisible and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have endorsed him. Why Political Revolution supports him: he beat a well-funded incumbent with a grassroots campaign and is poised to bring a movement voice from Detroit to Congress.