Detroit is on track to become the first major American city whose entire U.S. House delegation belongs to the Democratic Socialists of America — a milestone for the far-left movement that’s been unseating moderate Democrats across the country.
The development marks a significant moment in American urban politics, as DSA — once a marginal political organization — continues to expand its influence within the Democratic Party establishment. Detroit, a city long associated with labor movements and progressive politics, now stands poised to send an all-socialist delegation to Washington, something not seen in a major American city in the modern political era.
State Rep. Donavan McKinney, a DSA member, defeated two-term incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District Democratic primary 51.9% to 48.1%. The neighboring 12th District is already held by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a longtime DSA member who won her own primary the same night.
Together, the two districts make up Detroit’s entire House delegation.
If McKinney wins the general election in the heavily Democratic seat — as expected — both of the city’s House members will be card-carrying socialists. No other major U.S. city currently has its full House representation made up entirely of DSA members.
The outcome underscores how Detroit’s particular political landscape — shaped by decades of economic hardship, population decline, and distrust of establishment politics — has proven fertile ground for democratic socialist organizing. It also reflects a generational and ideological shift within the city’s Democratic base, which has grown increasingly skeptical of centrist incrementalism and more receptive to calls for systemic change.
“THE SOCIALIST MOVEMENT THAT HAS DEFEATED MANY SITTING MEMBERS IN NEW YORK AND ELSEWHERE HAS COME TO MICHIGAN, AND WE CAME OUT SHORT.” — Rep. Shri Thanedar
McKinney’s campaign was backed by the Metro Detroit DSA chapter, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Tlaib, and several members of the Congressional Black Caucus. He ran on abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending military aid to Israel, Medicare for All, and a Green New Deal.
The coalition that formed around McKinney’s candidacy illustrates the growing alignment between democratic socialist groups and parts of the progressive establishment, including influential members of Congress who have increasingly embraced DSA policy positions even if not formal membership. This alliance has proven effective in mobilizing both grassroots volunteers and turning out voters in Democratic primaries where enthusiasm and organization often matter more than name recognition or financial resources.
He repeatedly pointed to his roots in Northeast Detroit and contrasted them with Thanedar’s record as a self-funding multimillionaire immigrant.
The emphasis on local roots versus wealth became a central theme of the campaign, tapping into longstanding concerns among Detroit voters about authenticity and representation. In a city where many residents have felt left behind by economic recovery that benefited wealthier areas, the contrast proved politically potent.
Thanedar had broken with the Democratic Socialists of America in 2023 over Israel, weeks after the group’s Metro Detroit chapter voted to expel him. After the race was called, he acknowledged the broader shift and said he would support McKinney in November.
The split over Israel policy has become an increasingly divisive fault line within Democratic politics, particularly in areas with significant Arab American and Muslim populations like Metro Detroit. Thanedar’s break with DSA over this issue highlighted the organizational discipline the group maintains regarding its foreign policy positions, even when dealing with sitting members of Congress.
McKinney’s win follows a broader trend of DSA-aligned candidates defeating incumbent House Democrats this cycle, including in primaries in New York and Colorado.
This pattern suggests that DSA’s success is not limited to one region or demographic, but represents a sustained movement capable of challenging incumbents across different types of districts. The organization has refined its primary challenge playbook over several election cycles, learning from earlier victories and defeats to build a more effective electoral operation.
Metro Detroit DSA celebrated the outcome, noting it had expelled Thanedar three years earlier and had now taken the seat.
McKinney said after the race was called, “Detroit, I am honored beyond measure to be your Democratic nominee to represent the Mighty 13th in Congress. I am so proud that our community is sending me to Congress to fight for a better future.”
The general election is November 3.
