Detroiters voted Tuesday in a landslide for a new Democratic delegation to both Washington and Lansing. The results, released by the City of Detroit’s unofficial election tabulation, show record‑high margins for every Democratic candidate on the ballot.
U.S. House seats
Donavan McKinney, a 34‑year‑old University of Michigan graduate who has served Michigan’s 11th House District since 2025, won the open 13th congressional district with roughly 92% of the vote (113,713 votes). McKinney’s victory marks the first time since 2023 that Detroit will have Black representation in the U.S. House. He defeated Republican T.P. Nykoriak and will take office on Jan. 3, 2027, succeeding Shri Thanedar, whom he unseated in the primary.
Incumbent Rashida Tlaib secured a fifth term in the 12th district, earning 77,084 votes – about 93% of the total – over Republican James D. Hooper. Tlaib, a Wayne State alumna and longtime advocate for progressive legislation, will continue her work on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Get the Lead Out Caucus.
State Senate newcomers
Four new state senators will join the Michigan Senate in January 2027. Attorney and organizer Justin Onwenu captured District 1 with 93.42% of the vote (48,577 votes). Onwenu, appointed by former Mayor Mike Duggan as Detroit’s first Director of Small Business Affairs, emphasized a “laser‑focused” agenda to lower living costs, invest in neighborhoods and protect Michigan families from what he called attacks by the Trump administration.
Uncommitted‑movement co‑founder Abbas Alawieh won District 2 with 86.62% (3,061 votes). Alawieh’s campaign highlighted his role in mobilizing over 100,000 voters in the 2024 Democratic primary.
John Conyers III, son of civil‑rights icon John Conyers Jr., secured District 3 with 93.07% (68,097 votes). He pledged to keep the momentum going to improve cities and the state.
Incumbent Mary Cavanagh retained District 6 with more than 96% of the vote (73,771 votes). Cavanagh, a third‑generation public servant, has served in the Senate since 2023 after a stint in the state House.
State House delegation
Detroit also elected a full slate of Democratic state representatives. Longtime legislator Tyrone Carter won the 1st District with 91.26% (14,528 votes) and thanked supporters in a live Facebook address.
Alabas Farhat kept the 3rd District seat with 88.95% (2,350 votes) despite recent criticism for supporting a Republican‑backed anti‑transgender bill.
Regina Ross captured the 4th District with 95.79% (27,130 votes). Candace Calloway, a Detroit construction worker and AmeriCorp alum, won the 5th District with 96.77% (23,503 votes). Tonya Myers Phillips retained the 7th District with 95.51% (15,842 votes). Chris Gilmer‑Hill, an environmental‑justice advocate, secured the 8th District with 94.53% (22,792 votes). Former police commissioner Willie Burton won the 9th District with 91.77% (28,785 votes). Veronica Paiz continued representing the 10th District with 91.81% (10,568 votes). Kimberly Fisher took the 11th District with 95.72% (15,173 votes).
Community response
Progressive groups such as Indivisible Guide and the United Auto Workers praised McKinney’s win, while Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel called the new delegation “key” to delivering on priorities like fair taxation, expanded health‑care access and affordable housing. Onwenu’s statement highlighted a commitment to protect Michigan families from federal overreach and to work “together” for a more ethical state government.
BridgeDetroit was unable to secure comments from the newly elected officials at the time of publication.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
