2026 Michigan General Election

2026 Michigan Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

Donavan is from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Detroit Public Schools. He has a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. He lives with his wife, Shaunté, and their three young children in Detroit.

Donavan McKinney - Ballotpedia

Donavan McKinney is from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Detroit Public Schools. He has a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. He lives with his wife, Shaunté, and their three young children in Detroit.

Donavan works at the Michigan Legislature.

Donavan McKinney announces run for Congress, seeking to oust ...

Donavan previously led coalition and organizing work for SEIU Healthcare Michigan.

Donavan currently serves as the State Representative for Michigan District 11. In 2020, he was appointed to the Michigan Environment Justice Council by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Supports raising taxes on billionaires and corporations to fund community investments and advocates for universal basic income to address income inequality.

Supports investment in public transit to enhance freedom and mobility for residents, reducing reliance on cars and high insurance costs.

Opposes political donations from monopoly utility corporations and government contractors to reduce the influence of big money in politics.

Supports expanding the rights of unions and workers.

- Supports raising taxes on billionaires and corporations to fund community investments and advocates for universal basic income to address income inequality.
- Supports investment in public transit to enhance freedom and mobility for residents, reducing reliance on cars and high insurance costs.
- Opposes political donations from monopoly utility corporations and government contractors to reduce the influence of big money in politics.
- Supports expanding the rights of unions and workers.

Economy

Supports reforming sentencing guidelines, ending the school-to-prison pipeline through investment in public education and youth services, and ending qualified immunity.

Supports funding and expanding community violence intervention (CVI) programs.

Advocates for limiting the use of no-knock warrants.

Supports prohibiting police officers from tampering with body-camera evidence.

Supports revoking the licenses of law enforcement officers who use excessive force.

- Supports reforming sentencing guidelines, ending the school-to-prison pipeline through investment in public education and youth services, and ending qualified immunity.
- Supports funding and expanding community violence intervention (CVI) programs.
- Advocates for limiting the use of no-knock warrants.
- Supports prohibiting police officers from tampering with body-camera evidence.
- Supports revoking the licenses of law enforcement officers who use excessive force.

Public Safety

Supports Medicare for All to ensure everyone has access to healthcare, including coverage for dental, vision, mental health, reproductive health, and community-based long-term support services.

Supports codifying abortion rights at the federal level and protecting access to medication abortion nationwide.

- Supports Medicare for All to ensure everyone has access to healthcare, including coverage for dental, vision, mental health, reproductive health, and community-based long-term support services.
- Supports codifying abortion rights at the federal level and protecting access to medication abortion nationwide.

Healthcare

Supports increasing federal investments in public education, including higher teacher wages, universal free school lunches, expanded early childhood resources, and fully funding equitable education for all children.

Supports making all public colleges, universities, and trade schools tuition-free and advocates for the cancellation of existing student loan debt.

Supports providing universal free pre-K for all children.

- Supports increasing federal investments in public education, including higher teacher wages, universal free school lunches, expanded early childhood resources, and fully funding equitable education for all children.
- Supports making all public colleges, universities, and trade schools tuition-free and advocates for the cancellation of existing student loan debt.
- Supports providing universal free pre-K for all children.

Education

Supports a Green New Deal that transitions to 100% clean and renewable energy, creates green union jobs, lowers energy costs, and improves community health.

Advocates for holding utility corporations accountable to decrease consumer utility bills.

Advocates for environmental justice and ensuring access to clean air and water.

Supports large-scale infrastructure investments to replace lead water pipes.

- Supports a Green New Deal that transitions to 100% clean and renewable energy, creates green union jobs, lowers energy costs, and improves community health.
- Advocates for holding utility corporations accountable to decrease consumer utility bills.
- Advocates for environmental justice and ensuring access to clean air and water.
- Supports large-scale infrastructure investments to replace lead water pipes.

Energy & the Environment

Opposes excessive military spending and advocates for leading with diplomacy in foreign policy.

Opposes unconditional funding for weapons and bombs, advocating instead for reallocating those resources to address urgent domestic needs.

Advocates for reforming the asylum process and supporting refugees.

Supports shutting down for-profit immigration detention centers.

Advocates for a diplomacy-first foreign policy and opposes unconditional funding for weapons.

- Opposes excessive military spending and advocates for leading with diplomacy in foreign policy.
- Opposes unconditional funding for weapons and bombs, advocating instead for reallocating those resources to address urgent domestic needs.
- Advocates for reforming the asylum process and supporting refugees.
- Supports shutting down for-profit immigration detention centers.
- Advocates for a diplomacy-first foreign policy and opposes unconditional funding for weapons.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports banning political donations from monopoly utility corporations and government contractors to reduce the influence of big money in politics.

Supports securing funding for community recreation centers.

Supports removing the influence of super PACs and corporate dark money from politics.

- Supports banning political donations from monopoly utility corporations and government contractors to reduce the influence of big money in politics.
- Supports securing funding for community recreation centers.
- Supports removing the influence of super PACs and corporate dark money from politics.

Voting & Elections

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Donavan McKinney

Mauricio Mendez

Graham Shirley

John Goci is from Westland, Michigan. He and his wife, Dee Dee, have four children.

John Goci - HuffPost

John Goci immigrated to the United States from Kosovo with his family when he was nine years old. He has been married for over 31 years and has four children. 

John is a business owner. He manages US 12 Bar and Grill in Wayne, Michigan, which his parents bought in 1996. He also runs a real estate office from the bar. Previously, he founded Digital Video Jukebox Network, Inc., later to become Barden Entertainment, and served as president until 2008. He also volunteered as a linguistic specialist for the U.S. Army during the Kosovo War.

Westalnd man gets probation, fine for making false statements to feds

John works as a realtor and has owned businesses in the 13th District, including Big Moe's in Detroit and Mike and Mona's in Wayne. He has experience working in the restaurant, real estate, and manufacturing industries, as well as with startups.

John previously ran for the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 13th District in 2012 but did not win. He was also elected to the Wayne-Westland school board in 2009.

John Goci - Ballotpedia

Supports the federal bailout of the automotive companies, believing it saved jobs and communities.

Advocates for rebuilding the economy around workers through training pipelines and bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.

Supports turning unemployment centers into re-employment centers that partner with employers, trade schools, colleges, and unions.

Supports reforming trade deals, enforcing fair competition, and penalizing companies that offshore jobs.

Advocates for establishing Detroit as a hub for advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, technology, and healthcare.

Supports ensuring workers have a role in the implementation of artificial intelligence and share in its economic benefits.

Advocates for protecting workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain.

Opposes providing tax breaks to corporations without job guarantees.

Advocates for strong antitrust enforcement to break up monopolies and protect small businesses.

Advocates for cutting red tape for small businesses.

Supports federally funded research and development that builds American jobs.

Advocates for investing in building more homes and cutting red tape to increase the housing supply.

Supports exploring a government-backed mortgage option offering stable, low-interest rates (around 3%) for primary homes.

Advocates for implementing policies that level the playing field against hedge funds, large investors, and speculators in the housing market.

Supports providing targeted down payment assistance for working families.

- Supports the federal bailout of the automotive companies, believing it saved jobs and communities.
- Advocates for rebuilding the economy around workers through training pipelines and bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.
- Supports turning unemployment centers into re-employment centers that partner with employers, trade schools, colleges, and unions.
- Supports reforming trade deals, enforcing fair competition, and penalizing companies that offshore jobs.
- Advocates for establishing Detroit as a hub for advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, technology, and healthcare.
- Supports ensuring workers have a role in the implementation of artificial intelligence and share in its economic benefits.
- Advocates for protecting workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain.
- Opposes providing tax breaks to corporations without job guarantees.
- Advocates for strong antitrust enforcement to break up monopolies and protect small businesses.
- Advocates for cutting red tape for small businesses.
- Supports federally funded research and development that builds American jobs.
- Advocates for investing in building more homes and cutting red tape to increase the housing supply.
- Supports exploring a government-backed mortgage option offering stable, low-interest rates (around 3%) for primary homes.
- Advocates for implementing policies that level the playing field against hedge funds, large investors, and speculators in the housing market.
- Supports providing targeted down payment assistance for working families.

As of May 7, 2026, John Goci’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for expanding Medicare to cover all Americans while preserving the option for supplemental private insurance.

Supports wiping out existing medical debt.

Advocates for making medical school and nursing programs tuition-free, and supports loan forgiveness for current healthcare workers.

Opposes the privatization of or cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare.

Advocates for investing in community care by funding community health centers, public clinics, and hospitals in underserved areas.

Advocates for fully funding and modernizing the CDC, FDA, and local health departments.

Advocates for codifying Roe v. Wade protections into federal law.

Supports ensuring equal rights and non-discrimination protections in healthcare.

- Advocates for expanding Medicare to cover all Americans while preserving the option for supplemental private insurance.
- Supports wiping out existing medical debt.
- Advocates for making medical school and nursing programs tuition-free, and supports loan forgiveness for current healthcare workers.
- Opposes the privatization of or cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare.
- Advocates for investing in community care by funding community health centers, public clinics, and hospitals in underserved areas.
- Opposes hospital consolidation.
- Advocates for fully funding and modernizing the CDC, FDA, and local health departments.
- Advocates for codifying Roe v. Wade protections into federal law.
- Supports ensuring equal rights and non-discrimination protections in healthcare.

Supports providing universal, free pre-K.

Advocates for investing in strong public K-12 education, including modernizing school buildings.

Supports expanding vocational training, trade programs, and apprenticeships.

Advocates for investing in the Department of Education.

Supports increasing funding for colleges, universities, research, and innovation.

Advocates for providing a debt-free path for every student, whether in a trade program, a two-year college, or a four-year university.

- Supports providing universal, free pre-K.
- Advocates for investing in strong public K-12 education, including modernizing school buildings.
- Supports expanding vocational training, trade programs, and apprenticeships.
- Advocates for investing in the Department of Education.
- Supports increasing funding for colleges, universities, research, and innovation.
- Advocates for providing a debt-free path for every student, whether in a trade program, a two-year college, or a four-year university.

Advocates for prioritizing domestic investments to fix roads, rebuild bridges, and modernize water systems.

Advocates for holding corporate polluters accountable and strengthening environmental enforcement.

Supports protecting the Great Lakes, rivers, and drinking water systems from contamination.

Supports pushing federal agencies to enforce clean air standards, specifically in working-class neighborhoods.

Expresses concern over the expansion of energy-intensive data centers due to their impact on the power grid, consumer costs, and water consumption.

Advocates for responsible development that includes public input and environmental review prior to construction.

- Advocates for prioritizing domestic investments to fix roads, rebuild bridges, and modernize water systems.
- Advocates for holding corporate polluters accountable and strengthening environmental enforcement.
- Supports protecting the Great Lakes, rivers, and drinking water systems from contamination.
- Supports pushing federal agencies to enforce clean air standards, specifically in working-class neighborhoods.
- Expresses concern over the expansion of energy-intensive data centers due to their impact on the power grid, consumer costs, and water consumption.
- Advocates for responsible development that includes public input and environmental review prior to construction.

Supports honoring commitments to democratic allies, including supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Advocates for relying on diplomacy and cooperation over military involvement to resolve conflicts, utilizing military force only as a last resort.

Supports establishing an earned path to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farmworkers, and essential workers.

Advocates for processing asylum claims fairly and quickly, and ending the detention of immigrant children and families.

Supports expanding legal immigration channels and clearing the green-card backlog.

- Supports honoring commitments to democratic allies, including supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
- Advocates for relying on diplomacy and cooperation over military involvement to resolve conflicts, utilizing military force only as a last resort.
- Supports establishing an earned path to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farmworkers, and essential workers.
- Advocates for processing asylum claims fairly and quickly, and ending the detention of immigrant children and families.
- Supports expanding legal immigration channels and clearing the green-card backlog.

LinkedIn

John Goci

Mary Waters is originally from Alabama. She attended Detroit Northern High School. She has an accounting certification from the Detroit Business Institute and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

City Council At Large | City of Detroit

Mary Waters - Ballotpedia

Mary is a Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel – TASS Attorney. She works at the City of Detroit Law Department, where she handles lawsuits to address abandoned and unsafe properties through blight litigation. She previously worked at the City of Detroit Department of Appeals and Hearings as an Administrative Hearing Officer and spent over a decade as a public defender, representing people accused of crimes and advocating for criminal justice reform and access to mental health services.

Detroit city Councilwoman Mary Waters joins race for 13th ...

Mary Waters is currently an at-large member of the Detroit City Council. She became an at-large member of the council in 2022. She served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006. Waters previously ran for U.S. Representative in Michigan's 13th District in 2008 and 2012 but did not win, and launched another congressional bid in 2018 but was disqualified from the Democratic primary.

Detroit Councilmember Mary Waters enters 13th district Democratic ...

Mary is currently an at-large member of the Detroit City Council. She became an at-large member of the council in 2022. She served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006. Waters previously ran for U.S. Representative in Michigan's 13th District in 2008 and 2012 but did not win.

Supports increasing Social Security payments.

Advocated for federal action to reduce car insurance rates.

Supports working with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development department to address aging infrastructure.

- Supports increasing Social Security payments.
- Advocated for federal action to reduce car insurance rates.
- Supports working with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development department to address aging infrastructure.

Said, "As a member of Congress, I will work to cut the Pentagon war budget and use those dollars for safe streets in our district by funding community police patrols, and fighting poverty while increasing social security payments for our seniors."

- Said, "As a member of Congress, I will work to cut the Pentagon war budget and use those dollars for safe streets in our district by funding community police patrols, and fighting poverty while increasing social security payments for our seniors."

Advocates for creating an Office of Senior Citizen Liaison to address the specific concerns and issues of older residents.

- Advocates for creating an Office of Senior Citizen Liaison to address the specific concerns and issues of older residents.

As of May 7, 2026, Mary Waters’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "Redlining has escalated the cost of vital services and hindered many of our citizens from being able to make ‘ends-meet’ and they certainly cannot afford a quality life-style."

- Said, "Redlining has escalated the cost of vital services and hindered many of our citizens from being able to make ‘ends-meet’ and they certainly cannot afford a quality life-style."

Mary Waters

Shri Thanedar is from Detroit, Michigan. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Akron. He lives with his wife, Shashi, in the Palmer Woods neighborhood of Detroit. He is a father and grandfather.

Shri Thanedar - Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Home | U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar

Racial representation, job performance frame Michigan's 13th ...

Shri Thanedar | Congress.gov

Shri Thanedar immigrated to the United States from India at the age of 24. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Akron and a Master of Business Administration from Fontbonne University. He is married and has children and grandchildren.

After completing his education, Shri worked as a researcher and eventually an entrepreneur, where he built successful companies. He sold his businesses in 2016. Before taking public office, he served as a state representative in Michigan. 

Animal Wellness Action Endorses Shri Thanedar in 2026 ...

Shri previously worked as a research scholar at the University of Michigan and as a teaching assistant. He spent over 25 years in the private sector as a small business owner and entrepreneur, providing chemical analysis and innovative pharmaceuticals.

Shri is currently a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th Congressional District. Before serving in Congress, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives. He also ran for Michigan governor in 2018 but did not win.

Michigan's 13th Congressional District - Ballotpedia

Thanedar gets second primary challenger as state Rep. Donavan ...

Shri is currently a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th Congressional District. Before serving in Congress, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Proposed a $1.5 billion racial equity and reparation fund to help Black Americans start businesses.

Supports raising the minimum wage and treating a livable wage as a human right.

Advocates for protecting and expanding the right of workers to organize and collectively bargain, and supports the PRO Act.

Supports mandating paid sick leave for all working people.

Advocates for investing in infrastructure to create jobs.

Supports providing tax credits for small businesses to cover the cost of personal protective equipment.

Advocates for increasing access to subsidized housing.

- Proposed a $1.5 billion racial equity and reparation fund to help Black Americans start businesses.
- Supports raising the minimum wage.
- Supports raising the minimum wage and treating a livable wage as a human right.
- Advocates for protecting and expanding the right of workers to organize and collectively bargain, and supports the PRO Act.
- Supports mandating paid sick leave for all working people.
- Advocates for investing in infrastructure to create jobs.
- Supports providing tax credits for small businesses to cover the cost of personal protective equipment.
- Advocates for increasing access to subsidized housing.

Supports universal background checks for all gun purchases and transfers, including closing the gun show loophole.

Advocates for implementing a 3-day cooling-off period after purchasing a firearm.

Supports reinstating the assault rifle ban for civilians without a sunset clause.

Supports demilitarizing the police and ending the 1033 program that transfers excess military equipment to local forces.

Advocates for ending qualified immunity for police officers.

Advocates for mandatory implicit/explicit bias and racial sensitivity training for police departments receiving federal assistance.

Supports expanding the use of police body cameras and mandating their continuous use during civilian interactions.

Advocates for increasing civilian oversight of police departments.

Supports equipping law enforcement and corrections officers with mental health first aid and self-care training.

- Supports universal background checks for all gun purchases and transfers, including closing the gun show loophole.
- Advocates for implementing a 3-day cooling-off period after purchasing a firearm.
- Supports reinstating the assault rifle ban for civilians without a sunset clause.
- Advocates for passing Red Flag laws.
- Supports demilitarizing the police and ending the 1033 program that transfers excess military equipment to local forces.
- Advocates for ending qualified immunity for police officers.
- Advocates for mandatory implicit/explicit bias and racial sensitivity training for police departments receiving federal assistance.
- Supports expanding the use of police body cameras and mandating their continuous use during civilian interactions.
- Advocates for increasing civilian oversight of police departments.
- Supports equipping law enforcement and corrections officers with mental health first aid and self-care training.

Advocates for a single-payer healthcare system, specifically Medicare for All.

Supports incrementally lowering the Medicare eligibility age until universal coverage is achieved, and advocates for expanding Medicare to cover dental care.

Supports allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and cap out-of-pocket medication costs.

Supports increasing funding for DHS offices and extending Medicaid reporting requirements from 6 to 12 months.

Advocates for expanding subsidized housing and removing employment barriers to assist individuals recovering from mental health and substance abuse issues.

Supports increasing funding for mental health/substance treatment and requiring treatment centers in every county.

Advocates for treating addiction as a disease rather than a criminal offense.

Supports codifying Roe v. Wade and the right to an abortion.

- Advocates for a single-payer healthcare system, specifically Medicare for All.
- Supports incrementally lowering the Medicare eligibility age until universal coverage is achieved, and advocates for expanding Medicare to cover dental care.
- Supports allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and cap out-of-pocket medication costs.
- Supports increasing funding for DHS offices and extending Medicaid reporting requirements from 6 to 12 months.
- Advocates for expanding subsidized housing and removing employment barriers to assist individuals recovering from mental health and substance abuse issues.
- Supports increasing funding for mental health/substance treatment and requiring treatment centers in every county.
- Advocates for treating addiction as a disease rather than a criminal offense.
- Supports codifying Roe v. Wade and the right to an abortion.

Supports providing universal early childhood education and pre-K, regardless of financial status.

Advocates for making public universities tuition-free for students from families earning less than $200,000 annually.

Supports banning for-profit charter schools.

Advocates for fully funding the federal government's 40% commitment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Supports increasing the number of guidance counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools.

Advocates for investing in school infrastructure and rebuilding facilities.

Supports expanding access to free skills training, vocational schools, and apprenticeships.

- Supports providing universal early childhood education and pre-K, regardless of financial status.
- Advocates for making public universities tuition-free for students from families earning less than $200,000 annually.
- Supports banning for-profit charter schools.
- Advocates for fully funding the federal government's 40% commitment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Supports increasing the number of guidance counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools.
- Advocates for investing in school infrastructure and rebuilding facilities.
- Supports expanding access to free skills training, vocational schools, and apprenticeships.

Supports the Green New Deal pledge and investing in green infrastructure.

Advocates for ending government subsidies for oil companies and halting new fossil fuel leasing on public lands and waters.

Supports establishing a water affordability plan.

Advocates for decommissioning the Line 5 pipeline.

Supports requiring new construction to meet stringent emissions standards.

- Supports the Green New Deal pledge and investing in green infrastructure.
- Advocates for ending government subsidies for oil companies and halting new fossil fuel leasing on public lands and waters.
- Supports establishing a water affordability plan.
- Advocates for decommissioning the Line 5 pipeline.
- Supports requiring new construction to meet stringent emissions standards.

Advocates for an unshakeable U.S.-Israel bond and supporting Israel economically and militarily.

Supports maintaining the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

Advocates for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Opposes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Advocates for reaching a new nuclear agreement with Iran that includes strict oversight mechanisms.

Supports strong border security policies.

- Advocates for an unshakeable U.S.-Israel bond and supporting Israel economically and militarily.
- Supports maintaining the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.
- Advocates for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Opposes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
- Advocates for reaching a new nuclear agreement with Iran that includes strict oversight mechanisms.
- Supports strong border security policies.

Supports campaign finance reform, public financing of elections, and opposes "dark money" and billionaire influence in politics.

Supports the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Advocates for overturning Citizens United and removing large financial influence from politics.

Supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks.

Advocates for banning members of Congress from becoming lobbyists after leaving office.

- Supports campaign finance reform, public financing of elections, and opposes "dark money" and billionaire influence in politics.
- Supports the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
- Advocates for overturning Citizens United and removing large financial influence from politics.
- Supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks.
- Advocates for banning members of Congress from becoming lobbyists after leaving office.

Shri Thanedar

- A U.S. representative is an elected member of the United States House of Representatives, one of the two chambers of Congress.
- U.S. representatives introduce, debate, amend, and vote on federal legislation affecting the entire country.
- Michigan is represented by 13 members in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- U.S. representatives serve two-year terms and may run for reelection without term limits. Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they represent.
- Members of the House of Representatives receive a salary of approximately $174,000 per year.

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