Rashida Tlaib

DETROIT, MI - Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary brought an easy victory for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the defeat of a Detroit congressional incumbent and decisive support for two major funding proposals.

Tlaib cruised to the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, while state Rep. Donavan McKinney defeated U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in the neighboring 13th District.

Wayne County voters also approved a countywide public transportation millage, while Detroit voters overwhelmingly backed Proposal S, securing a major source of operating revenue for the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s election in Detroit and Wayne County.

Tlaib cruised to another primary victory — then took aim at the Democratic establishment

Tlaib easily defeated two Democratic challengers, Shanelle Jackson and Byron Nolen, to secure another nomination in the heavily Democratic 12th Congressional District.

Tlaib entered the primary with a significant financial advantage. Federal Election Commission records through March 31 showed she had raised more than $2.2 million during the election cycle and had nearly $4.7 million in cash on hand.

Following her victory, Tlaib portrayed the results in Michigan as a broader rejection of corporate influence in politics and delivered a message to Democratic Party leaders.

“Michigan voters saw through the lies and smears and delivered incredible victories for unbought and unbossed representatives who they are entrusting to fight to make their lives better,” Tlaib said in a statement.

She criticized “corporate-funded politicians,” military spending and U.S. support for what she described as “genocidal regimes” while families struggle with health care costs. Tlaib also accused politicians who accept money from DTE of failing to hold the utility accountable over rates and service.

“These results are an obvious wake up call for the Democratic establishment and I’d suggest they listen, but these victories also show that we’re moving forward with or without them,” Tlaib said.

Tlaib also singled out McKinney following his victory in the neighboring 13th District, saying she looked forward to working with him “in November and beyond.”

McKinney knocked off a well-funded incumbent

One of the biggest upsets of the night came in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, where McKinney defeated Thanedar for the Democratic nomination.

Thanedar entered the race with a substantial financial advantage, reporting about $5 million in cash on hand through March. McKinney had raised more than $1 million and reported about $459,000 on hand.

But the contest became a head-to-head race after Mary Waters and John Goci were disqualified from the ballot.

Before the election, Oakland University political science professor David Dulio told MLive that the smaller field could help McKinney by allowing voters looking for an alternative to the incumbent to consolidate behind one challenger.

“The more that challengers can consolidate and rally around one candidate, the better for them,” Dulio said. “It’s really about finding the anti-incumbent vote and capitalizing on it.”

McKinney’s victory also carries significance for representation in the Detroit-based district.

Thanedar became the first non-Black representative of the seat in roughly 70 years after winning a crowded Democratic primary in 2022.

The primaries could prove more consequential than November

Tlaib and McKinney now move on to the Nov. 3 general election in two districts that strongly favor Democrats.

Tlaib will face Republican James Hooper in the 12th District, while McKinney will face Republican T.P. Nykoriak in the 13th.

That means Tuesday’s Democratic primaries may ultimately prove to be the more competitive contests in determining who represents the two districts in Congress.

For Tlaib, the primary demonstrated her continued strength within the 12th District despite facing multiple challengers. In the 13th, voters opted for a change, denying Thanedar a third term in Congress.

Wayne County voters gave a decisive boost to public transportation

Wayne County voters gave strong support to a public transportation millage, with 67.03% voting in favor, according to final unofficial results.

The proposal received 230,977 yes votes and 113,591 no votes, with all 720 precincts reporting.

The millage will fund public transportation services throughout Wayne County, including operations, maintenance and expanded transportation options for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and the general public.

The owner of a property with a taxable value of $100,000 — about $200,000 in market value — would pay roughly $96 annually under the millage.

Supporters said the measure would improve access to jobs and essential services while giving residents who cannot drive more transportation options. Opponents argued the additional tax was unnecessary.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans welcomed the result, saying improved transit means greater mobility for residents and a stronger workforce for businesses.

“This is about access, opportunity, and improving lives,” Evans said.

Detroit voters overwhelmingly backed DPSCD funding

Detroit voters also overwhelmingly approved Proposal S, allowing the Detroit Public Schools Community District to continue receiving revenue from an 18-mill operating levy on businesses, rental properties and other non-homestead property.

The measure addresses a funding issue stemming from the state’s 2016 restructuring of Detroit’s school system.

Under that arrangement, the old Detroit Public Schools district remained in place to pay off outstanding debt, while the newly created DPSCD assumed responsibility for educating students. The operating millage remained with the old district, while the state provided funding to help support DPSCD.

With the old district nearing repayment of that debt, Proposal S allows DPSCD to collect the operating millage directly. District officials said the change prevents an approximately $120 million hole in its operating budget.

The levy does not apply to homeowners’ primary residences and is expected to generate about $112 million in 2026.

“We sincerely thank the voters of Detroit for supporting Proposal S and investing in the future of our students,” DPSCD Board President LaTrice McClendon said in a statement. “Today’s vote is an investment in opportunity.”

The district said the revenue supports teachers, classroom instruction, student programs, technology, arts and music, athletics, career and technical education and other day-to-day operations.