Thanedar wins Democratic nomination for 13th District congressional seat

METRO DETROIT — State Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, will be squaring off against Republican Martell D. Bivings in the race for the newly drawn 13th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in November. Both candidates also will be running against independent write-in candidate Anthony Carbonaro.

In one of the most contested and closely watched primaries in the state, Thanedar beat a group of well-known political figures in the Aug. 2 primary, including attorney and former Detroit City Councilwoman Sharon McPhail, Detroit school board member and former state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, and state Sen. Adam Hollier.

According to the unofficial election results, Thanedar received 22,302 votes. Hollier was second with 18,513 votes, and Portia Roberson finished third with 13,312 votes.

Hollier, of Detroit, whose state Senate district includes the five Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods, was the local favorite, having been endorsed by the Grosse Pointe Democratic Club. He also received scores of endorsements from other prominent political leaders, including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.

“I want to congratulate Shri Thanedar on his election,” Hollier said in a prepared statement after the election. “I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us get to this moment — from our volunteers, to our supporters, to our staff — while we may not have pulled off a win, you all still deserve to celebrate the great work you did for the people of the 13th. I gave this race everything I had, and we all worked hard for the causes we believe in — all gas and no brakes since launching our campaign in January. One of the highlights of the past 8 months has been connecting with so many people in this district and learning about their lives and experiences. I have met some amazing people out on the campaign trail — and look forward to making positive change in metro Detroit for years to come. Today it really hurts, but now we must come together and make sure Democrats win up and down the ballot in November. Thank you for the opportunity to run for Congress to represent the people of the 13th District.”

Hollier’s current state Senate term ends Jan. 1, 2023.

Thanedar, of Detroit, thanked his family, campaign team and volunteers.

“This race was not about me,” Thanedar said in a prepared statement after the election. “Michigan’s 13th Congressional district is one of the poorest in the country, and I will fight for economic and racial justice in Congress. We must continue the fight against the special interests that seek to divide us and prevent us from achieving the basic rights that we all deserve. We have a lot of work in front of us, and you can count on me to continue fighting for our communities.

“Congratulations to my primary opponents — including Adam Hollier, who graciously called to wish me congratulations this morning — as well as Portia Roberson, Sherry Gay-Dagnono, Michael Griffie, Sharon McPhail, Lorrie Rutledge, John Conyers III and Sam Riddle — on hard fought campaigns and years of public service and activism,” Thanedar’s statement continued. “I look forward to continued partnership in the coming months and appreciate your efforts to stand up for our communities.”

Bivings ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

“Detroit still has a chance at having Black representation in Washington,” Bivings said via email. “Give me a chance, and I’ll give you a choice. Please visit Biv ingsforcongress.com to learn more about me — please schedule a meeting with me. Give me a call; I will be there, I will answer. I am working to be the people’s employee!”

The newly drawn 13th District spans from the Pointes and part of Detroit to communities including Ecorse, Wayne and Romulus.

U.S. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, had been representing the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods as part of the 14th District before those district boundaries were redrawn after the 2020 census. Lawrence chose not to run for reelection this year. Her current term expires Jan. 3, 2023.