Pro-Israel, Pro-Modi Congressman Shri Thanedar Defeated in Democratic Primary in Michigan’s 13th District
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, one of the few Indian Americans serving in Congress, was defeated in Tuesday’s Democratic primary by Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, bringing an abrupt end to a congressional tenure marked by ideological shifts, controversy, and increasingly strained relationships with progressives in his own party.
McKinney’s victory is widely viewed as part of a broader progressive resurgence in Michigan, where left-leaning candidates scored significant primary wins. His campaign drew support from prominent progressives, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and benefited from growing dissatisfaction with Thanedar among Democratic activists in Detroit.
While local concerns—including constituent service, campaign style and his relationship with Detroit political leaders—featured prominently in the race, Thanedar’s positions on Israel and his long-standing association with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also became part of the political narrative surr…