Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday endorsed Donavan McKinney, a progressive primary challenger to a Democratic congressman who represents one of Michigan’s poorest districts in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sanders (I-Vt.) released a statement announcing his support for McKinney, a state representative who seeks to oust incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in next year’s Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.
"He understands the struggles working-class communities are facing in Detroit and across the country because he's lived those struggles himself," Sanders said.
McKinney is the political director for Michigan's Service Employees International Union, the largest healthcare union in the state. In 2022, he was elected to the state Legislature, where he has represented a district with a median income of less than $20,000.
As a state legislator, McKinney has led efforts to address the high cost of living and poor living conditions of those in his district. In 2024, he supported Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's expansion of free pre-K for Michigan children and helped to secure funding to replace the state's lead pipe infrastructure. He has also called out utility companies, like DTE Energy, that have continuously hiked costs and reaped massive profits.
McKinney has honed his message against corporate control of politics, closely aligning himself with Sanders' message about "Fighting Oligarchy." McKinney has also received endorsements from the progressive group Justice Democrats and from Sanders' close progressive ally and fellow Michigander Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
"I know when it comes to real representation, Michigan's 13th District deserves better," Tlaib said.
McKinney has contrasted his working-class upbringing with that of Thanedar, a former pharmaceutical executive who is estimated to be worth $41 million, making him the 28th richest member of Congress.
While running for Congress, Thanedar pledged to "never take a dime" of corporate money. But according to TheDetroit News, he received at least $36,000 from political action committees (PACs) backed by some of America's largest auto manufacturers, tech firms, and energy companies, including DTE.
According to his website, McKinney "is committed to getting big money out of politics, and elevating the voices of voters over the influence of super PACs and corporations."
After the 2024 election saw unprecedented influence from billionaires like Elon Musk to help elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, McKinney co-introduced a bill to ban utility monopolies and government contractors from making political donations in Michigan.
Citing reports that Thanedar spent over $5 million of his own money to fund his campaign in 2022, McKinney has described him as "a multimillionaire who spent millions to buy his seat in Congress," one who has "more in common with Donald Trump and Elon Musk" than with residents of his district.
"We deserve a Democratic Party that leads the fight against the billionaires robbing us blind, that stands up to corporate PACs," McKinney said in the video announcing his campaign.
