Donavan McKinney

Donavan McKinney
McKinney in 2022
Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 13th district
Assuming office
January 3, 2027
SucceedingShri Thanedar
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded byCara Clemente
Constituency14th district (2023–2025)
11th district (2025–present)
Personal details
BornDonovan Deante McKinney
(1992-06-16) June 16, 1992 (age 34)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations
Democratic Socialists of America
SpouseShaunté Wilcher
Children3
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BA)
Signature

Donavan Deante McKinney (born June 16, 1992) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2023, currently representing the 11th district. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, McKinney is the member-elect for Michigan's 13th congressional district in 2026.

Early life

McKinney was born and raised on the northeast side of Detroit near Seven Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue and attended Renaissance High School. He relied on public transportation to get to school, spending five hours every day on the bus. He was mostly raised by his grandmother while his mother worked. His family moved 13 times while he was growing up, mostly due to evictions.

McKinney earned a bachelor's degree in public policy from the University of Michigan in 2014.

Early career

McKinney worked as a legislative director in the Michigan Legislature, and then later in community engagement for the nonprofit Community Development Advocates of Detroit, before becoming an organizer for healthcare in the Michigan Service Employees International Union. In 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed him to her Environmental Justice Council where he helped develop the pandemic plan to restore sewage service and water to Detroit residents via the $2 million Water Restart Grant Program and her statewide Water Reconnection Executive Order.

Political career

Michigan House of Representatives

McKinney was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from the 14th district in the 2022 election.

Following court-mandated redistricting of the Detroit area, McKinney ran in the 11th district for the 2024 election, winning re-election.

McKinney has been critical of Michigan's utility companies, and of corporate influence in politics in general. He co-sponsored a bipartisan bill package that would prohibit political campaign contributions from utility companies, such as DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, as well as from major state government contractors, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. McKinney also supports an increase to the credit that Michigan energy companies must pay to consumers affected by prolonged power outages, arguing that the current rate of $35 per day is not enough to offset the costs of spoiled medicine or groceries.

McKinney was one of two primary sponsors on legislation in 2023 that would create the position of medication aide in nursing homes to fill the gap between entry-level nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses and help address severe staff shortages by freeing up licensed practical and registered nurses to do more patient care. Governor Whitmer signed the bipartisan bill into law.

In November 2023, McKinney joined two dozen other lawmakers, including State House Majority Leader Abraham Aiyash, in sending a letter to President Joe Biden to urge him to advance "a lasting ceasefire" in the Gaza war. The letter urged "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the adherence of all international laws, and aid to ensure that every person living in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank can live with self-determination, dignity and humanity."

In 2024, McKinney introduced legislation that would protect the privacy of individuals who filed complaints of misconduct against police officers. He also introduced legislation that would require separation records to include any disciplinary actions or investigations against an officer, and to require the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards to revoke an officer's license if they use excessive force that results in the death or serious bodily injury of another individual. Neither of these bills became law.

Major successes in the district include helping to win over $10 million in community violence intervention programs, which led to the creation of the statewide community violence intervention initiative to focus on preventing gun violence. McKinney also won $600 million in federal funds to replace lead pipes in Detroit and surrounding suburbs.

2026 congressional campaign

In April 2025, McKinney announced his candidacy for Michigan's 13th congressional district, a notoriously impoverished section of the state in the 2026 election, challenging incumbent Shri Thanedar. He is endorsed by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, the Justice Democrats, Senator Bernie Sanders, the Working Families Party, the Metro Detroit chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, more than a dozen state legislators, and the Michigan chapter of Service Employees International Union, of which McKinney is a former member and organizer.

McKinney has said his campaign will focus on lowering costs, especially car insurance and child care. He would like to abolish ICE. He stated "There's like .0001%, like very small percentage of folks, poor people, take advantage of the system,"

On August 4, McKinney defeated Thanedar.

Personal life

McKinney and his wife Shaunté Wilcher, an attorney, have three children. The oldest was born in 2022 and the youngest in 2025. He has said that even with his statehouse salary that is twice the median income in his district, he and his wife can still only afford to put their oldest child into childcare. McKinney developed asthma as a child.

Electoral history

2016

2016 Michigan House of Representatives election, District 3
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wendell Byrd (Incumbent) 3,129 45.38
Democratic Al Williams 1,283 18.61
Democratic Donavan McKinney 1,060 15.37
Democratic April Bonner-Archer 754 10.94
Democratic Burgess Foster 357 5.18
Democratic Damian Mitchell 172 2.49
Democratic Lee Qualls 140 2.03
Total votes 6,895 100.0

2020

2020 Michigan House of Representatives election, District 3
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shri Thanedar 4,745 34.9
Democratic Donavan McKinney 2,774 20.4
Democratic China Cochran 2,276 16.7
Democratic Al Williams 2,222 16.3
Democratic John Cromer 520 3.8
Democratic Art Tyus 468 3.4
Democratic Keith McMurtry 467 3.4
Democratic Steven Lett 120 0.9
Total votes 13,592 100.0

2022

2022 Michigan House of Representatives election, District 14
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donavan McKinney 4,452 59.3
Democratic Kristina Lodovisi 2,129 28.4
Democratic Aaron Delikta 923 12.3
Total votes 7,504 100.0
General election
Democratic Donavan McKinney 18,968 71.3
Republican Wendy Watters 7,174 27.0
Green N. Jefferey Sparling 444 1.7
Total votes 26,586 100.0
Democratic hold

2024

2022 Michigan House of Representatives election, District 11
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donavan McKinney (incumbent) 7,145 100.0
Total votes 7,145 100.0
General election
Democratic Donavan McKinney (incumbent) 28,031 82.3
Republican Dale Walker 6,025 17.7
Total votes 34,056 100.0
Democratic hold

2026

2026 Michigan's 13th congressional district election
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donavan McKinney 57,746 51.9
Democratic Shri Thanedar (incumbent) 53,522 48.1
Total votes 111,268 100.0

References

  1. ↑ "Donavan McKinney". Gongwer News Service-Michigan.
  2. ↑ Michigan Citizen's Guide to State Government, 2025–2026, 103rd Legislature (PDF). Lansing, Michigan: Michigan Legislature. 2025.
  3. ↑ "Why Both Republicans and Democrats Are Worried About the DSA". The Wall Street Journal. August 3, 2026. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  4. ↑ McNamara, Russ (September 24, 2025). "Detroit Black political leaders rally behind Donavan McKinney". WDET. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ Khary Frazier (June 19, 2025). "A Community-First Vision for Congress Donavan McKinney". Detroit is Different (Podcast). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ Lawrence, Eric D. (January 31, 2024). "Mallory McMorrow: Legislators who don't work on transit needs should be voted out". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Barrett, Malachi (January 31, 2024). "Lawmakers tell Detroiters: 'Get more intense' on public transit demands". Bridge Detroit. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Hotts, Mitch (December 4, 2022). "Two native Detroiters make history as Macomb County's first Black state lawmakers". Macomb Daily. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Janssen, Emma (April 28, 2025). "The Squad Could Have a New Member in 2026". American Prospect. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Day, Eli (June 5, 2025). "The Next Fight in the Democratic Party". In These Times. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ Nann Burke, Melissa. "Detroit lawmaker Donavan McKinney jumps into race to unseat Shri Thanedar in Congress". No. 28 April 2025. Detroit News. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Meet Rep. McKinney". housedems.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  13. ↑ "2022 Michigan Election Results - General". Michigan Secretary of State. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  14. ↑ Hendrickson, Clara. "Court orders metro Detroit legislative maps redrawn". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  15. ↑ "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Secretary of State. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. ↑ Davidson, Kyle (April 25, 2025). "Lawmakers resurrect legislation to end political spending from utilities and government contractors". Michigan Advance. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  17. ↑ Davidson, Kyle (August 28, 2023). "Thousands remain without power following severe storms and tornadoes across Michigan". Michigan Advance. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  18. ↑ Erb, Robin (December 3, 2023). "A new kind of worker in Michigan nursing homes could address staff shortage". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ Rahal, Sarah (November 23, 2023). "25 Michigan lawmakers urge Biden to 'advance a lasting ceasefire'". Detroit News. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  20. ↑ Anthony, Sarah (November 22, 2024). "Michigan Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Public Safety and Community Trust With Police". State Senator Sarah Anthony. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ Lanard, Noah (August 5, 2026). "Michigan's Primary Reckoning for the Democrats".
  22. ↑ Wethington, Paula (April 28, 2025). "Donavan McKinney announces run for Congress, seeking to oust Shri Thanedar". CBS News. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Arshad, Minnah (June 16, 2026). "Bernie Sanders-backed challenger takes on Thanedar in 13th District race".
  24. ↑ Spangler, Todd. "Rep. Rashida Tlaib endorses Donavan McKinney in Democratic race against Shri Thanedar". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  25. ↑ Wu, Nicholas (April 28, 2025). "Justice Democrats launch new primary challenge". Politico. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  26. ↑ Gans, Jared (June 17, 2025). "Sanders backs progressive challenger to Thanedar". The Hill. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  27. ↑ Neavling, Steve (June 23, 2025). "Major union endorses Donavan McKinney for Congress in growing wave of progressive support". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  28. ↑ Snyder, Branden (February 27, 2026). "Working Families Party Endorses Donavan McKinney, William Lawrence, Rep. Rashida Tlaib in Michigan Congressional Races". Working Families Party. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  29. 1 2 McNamara, Russ (September 24, 2025). "Detroit Black political leaders rally behind Donavan McKinney". WDET. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  30. ↑ Elkind, Elizabeth (August 3, 2026). "Socialist House candidate says he agrees with Republicans on 'one issue'". Fox News.
  31. ↑ Kamisar, Ben (August 5, 2026). "Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar loses his primary to a progressive challenger in Michigan". NBC News. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  32. ↑ @donavanmckinney; (February 14, 2022). "Good morning, I want to thank GOD and my wife Shaunté Wilcher for giving me the best gift this Valentine's Day, and that is the gift of fatherhood! Introducing the newest addition to the family, our little sonshine Donavan Emmanuel McKinney II. Can't believe he's already 3 weeks old. Want to acknowledge all the parents out there and those who came before us. Parenting, as well as taking care of any human being no matter how old, is hard work and should be celebrated. Truly blessed and honored to be a husband and father. Love my wife and son to infinity. Happy Valentine's Day 💙 Photo Credit: Ashleigh Davis Photography" – via Instagram.
  33. ↑ Groz, Zachary (July 29, 2026). "The CBC Challenge in Detroit". The American Prospect. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "State Rep Results election". MultiState Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Michigan Thirteenth Congressional District Primary 2026". The New York Times. August 4, 2026. Retrieved October 7, 2026.