Incumbent Shri Thanedar (D), Donavan McKinney (D), and four other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District on August 4, 2026. As of May 2026, Thanedar and McKinney led in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention.
Local radio station WDET's Russ McNamara said Thanedar is "facing a difficult primary opponent, State Representative Donavan McKinney. The progressive Democrat has already been endorsed by Black leaders in Detroit and other [progressives] like Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders." NBC News' Allan Smith said the primary "will also serve as another proxy fight over the war in Gaza as Thanedar, previously a critic of the Israeli government in the state Legislature, renounced his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, saying the DSA did not offer adequate condemnation of it."
As of May 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic. In the 2024 primary, Thanedar defeated Mary Waters (D) 54.9%–33.8%.
