WASHINGTON — Detroit U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is endorsing a state lawmaker who is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, a fellow Democrat who represents the district next door to hers in Congress.Tlaib on Monday said she is backing state Rep. Donavan McKinney’s bid for Congress in Michigan’s 13th District and also took a dig at the two-term Thanedar, saying his constituents deserve better representation.

It's highly unusual for a sitting member of Congress to endorse a challenger to another member of Congress from their own party and within the Michigan delegation. “Centering community not only means standing up to corporate donors and lobbyists, but also means fighting to address community needs through robust community services and responsive representation. This type of leadership is missing for residents in the 13th and I know Donavan will bring it — I’ve already seen him do so as State Representative,” Tlaib said in a statement.“I’m proud to have Donavan’s back because I know he’ll always have Michiganders’ backs — and because I know when it comes to real representation, Michigan’s 13th district deserves better.”McKinney, first elected in 2022, launched his campaign for the U.S. House two weeks ago.

He also has the backing of the progressive group Justice Democrats that helped elect Tlaib and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York, and the endorsements of 14 current and former state lawmakers, many of them representing parts of Thanedar’s district that covers a swath of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and Downriver communities.

Tlaib has publicly criticized Thanedar previously, most notably in the fall of 2023 when she said the congressman was “busy posting memes,” while his residents were calling her office asking for my assistance because "he is absent from doing his job," Tlaib said at the time.

McKinney in a Monday statement said, “it's about time those constituents have a Congressman that answers their calls, and Rep. Tlaib has a real partner in serving our communities.”

Thanedar, a former state lawmaker, has defended his record in recent weeks, saying his office resolved more than 2,800 constituent problems, recovered $3 million for constituents, and delivered "world-class constituent communication,” including over a dozen in-person town halls. He's also a formidable Democratic primary opponent, willing to sink millions of his personal fortune into his campaigns. He touts winnng Detroit in his last seven elections.

"Voters know my background. I grew up in abject poverty, and with a good education, hard work and some luck, was able to get my education, start a small business and lift my family out of poverty," Thanedar said in a statement after McKinney launched.

"I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle and make ends meet. That’s why I’m passionate about ensuring everyone gets a free education, universal healthcare, and access to skills training to get good-paying jobs. I achieved my American Dream and am working tirelessly to ensure everyone in my district can achieve their American Dream."

Tlaib and Thanedar also have clashed over Israel. Tlaib has long criticized the Israeli government and called for an end to U.S. security aid and weapons sales to Israel.

Thanedar has become a supporter of Israel, and his last campaign was supported by pro-Israel lobby groups.

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