State Rep. Shri Thanedar Plans Run For U.S. House Seat

DETROIT — State Rep. Shri Thanedar, Democrat from Detroit announced Monday he is planning to run for Congress, he said in a news release.

Thanedar, who represents Detroit's 3rd district and ran for governor in 2018 said he is now forming an exploratory committee to run for Michigan's 13th district in the U.S. House, which is expected to cover a majority of Detroit, including his third district, the news release said.

"Working for the people of Michigan in the State House is an honor and privilege," Thanedar said in the news release. "This work has strengthened my desire for public service and I am ready for higher office."

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Michigan's 13th district is currently held by two-term U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and includes parts of Detroit and Wayne County suburbs including Highland Park, Inkster, River Rouge, Ecorse and Westland.

Although Tlaib hasn't announced which district she'll run in, she is expected to pursue the 13th district once final redistricting maps are approved by the state. So Thanedar's decision to run for office would likely mean a primary challenge against Tlaib.

Thanedar won his seat in the state house last year and 18 bills, including one to bring $94 million to Detroit Public Schools. He also introduced a bill to help fund environmental monitoring, which Gov. Whitmer signed into law, the news release said.

Thunder said his main priorities in Congress would be public safety, education equity, Medicare for All, paid family leave, lower prescription drug prices, universal basic income, and clean air and water, according to the news release.