U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, has been endorsed by the three highest-ranking Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives in his reelection campaign for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said Thanedar’s opposition to President Donald Trump and Republican policies earned him the endorsements.

Thanedar is running against state Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, who is backed by dozens of local political leaders and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

He’s also backed by the influential Democratic Socialists of America organization, which has recently helped elect progressive candidates across the country from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Detroit City Council member Denzel McCampbell.

McKinney’s campaign has been endorsed not only by far left progressives like U.S. Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, but rank and file Democrats in Michigan’s state Legislature. He won the backing of Black state Reps. Brenda Carter of Pontiac, Jason Hoskins of Southfield and Amos O’Neal of Saginaw. McKinney was endorsed by the Michigan Chronicle editorial board earlier this month.

Ads paid for by Thanedar’s campaign have accused McKinney of taking money from billionaires and aligning himself with Republican donors, which McKinney has denied. He took campaign donations in March 2023 from Ambassador Bridge owner Mathew Moroun. However, McKinney says the money was used to provide resources to his constituents, including Turkey dinners, during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanedar is running on his record in Congress, which includes advocated for abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of the Department of Homeland Security. He was also the first to draft articles of impeachment against Trump in his second term.

“Congressman Shri Thanedar has always shown up for his constituents and is fighting every day to lower the cost of housing and groceries, and to make life more affordable for everyday Michiganders,” the Democratic leaders said in a joint statement. “We endorse Shri Thanedar for re-election and look forward to his continued service on behalf of the people of Detroit and Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.”

Thanedar said the upcoming election is an opportunity for Democrats to regain control of the House.

“I am honoured to receive the endorsement of Leader Jeffries, Whip Clark, and Chair Aguilar,” Thanedar said. “I ran for Congress to fight for the people of Detroit and Michigan’s 13th District, and that is exactly what I have done.”

Thanedar says if reelected he would work to reduce living costs, the cost of healthcare and continue to oppose Trump and congressional Republicans.

“I look forward to standing with Hakeem Jeffries as we take back the House this November and elect him the next Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,” Thanedar said.

McKinney’s campaign recently launched a new ad pointing to Thanedar taking money from political action committees tied to corporations despite saying he does not. FEC records show Thanedar did take money from utility DTE Energy Co, defense contractors Lockheed Martin, Honeywell International, General Dynamics, AT&T, Ford Motor Co.

Thanedar says most of his campaign funds are from individual donors and himself. FEC filings reported this week show he loaned himself $650,000 in the weeks before the Aug. 4 primary.

“Shri Thanedar is panicked. He’s emptying out his bank account and begging his AIPAC and crypto buddies to bail him out,” said Ravi Mangla, National Press Secretary for the Working Families Party, which has also endorsed McKinney. “Detroiters deserve better than an out-of-touch politician who’s willing to sell them out to the highest bidder.”

Thanedar faces a unique challenge this year running against just one Black candidate, as opposed to several candidates who in past elections split the vote among each other. Part of the criticism against Thanedar is that he’s representing a majority Black district as an Indian American. He points to his vote totals in the city of Detroit to argue against the notion Black Democrats in Detroit want him replaced.

Detroit City Council member Mary Waters is running a write-in campaign after not turning in enough valid signatures to make the ballot. Waters received 34% of the vote when she was on the ballot with Thanedar in 2024. Her campaign then was backed by former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.