MI-13: Councilwoman Mary Waters (D) launches bid to unseat Rep. Thanedar (D) as Gaza looms over congressional race

Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters is making another run for Congress, setting up a rematch with U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in a Democratic primary that has put a spotlight on Israel’s war with Gaza.

Waters confirmed to Metro Times on Friday that she is running in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, days after filing paperwork before Tuesday’s deadline to qualify for the Aug. 4 primary ballot.

Before Waters entered the race, Thanedar was already facing a strong opponent, Rep. Donavan McKinney, a Detroit progressive who has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Realtor John Goci is also running in the primary.

Waters, a former state lawmaker and one of two at-large members of Detroit City Council, ran against Thanedar in 2024 and received 34% of the vote, despite being heavily outspent. Thanedar won the primary with about 54% of the vote and cruised to reelection in the heavily Democratic district.




https://www.metrotimes.com/news/politics-elections/detroit-councilwoman-mary-waters-launches-bid-to-unseat-rep-thanedar-as-gaza-looms-over-congressional-race/