Pro-Israel, Pro-Modi Congressman Shri Thanedar Defeated  in Democratic Primary in Michigan’s 13th District

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, one of the few Indian Americans serving in Congress, was defeated in Tuesday’s Democratic primary by Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, bringing an abrupt end to a congressional tenure marked by ideological shifts, controversy, and increasingly strained relationships with progressives in his own party.

McKinney’s victory is widely viewed as part of a broader progressive resurgence in Michigan, where left-leaning candidates scored significant primary wins. His campaign drew support from prominent progressives, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and benefited from growing dissatisfaction with Thanedar among Democratic activists in Detroit.

While local concerns—including constituent service, campaign style and his relationship with Detroit political leaders—featured prominently in the race, Thanedar’s positions on Israel and his long-standing association with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also became part of the political narrative surrounding his defeat.

From Israel Critic to Vocal Supporter

Thanedar’s position on Israel underwent a notable transformation during his political career.

As a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, he had supported legislation critical of Israeli policies. After his election to Congress, however, his stance shifted significantly. Following a 2023 congressional visit to Israel organized with the involvement of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Thanedar emerged as one of Israel’s more outspoken Democratic supporters. He strongly backed Israel following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, defended continued U.S. military assistance, and broke publicly with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), saying the organization had failed to adequately condemn Hamas.

His support for Israel distinguished him from many progressives in Michigan, particularly Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, who has been among the most vocal congressional critics of Israeli military operations in Gaza.

In his 2024 reelection campaign, outside groups aligned with AIPAC spent millions of dollars opposing his primary challenger, reflecting a remarkable reversal from 2022, when AIPAC itself had opposed Thanedar before his shift toward a more pro-Israel position.

The congressman, who emigrated from India in the late 1970s, has frequently celebrated Modi’s leadership and has appeared alongside the Indian prime minister during visits to the United States.

Although McKinney’s 2026 campaign focused largely on local representation and economic issues, progressive dissatisfaction with Thanedar’s support for Israel remained part of the broader political context in which he sought reelection.

A Visible Ally of Narendra Modi

Thanedar also attracted criticism from segments of Michigan’s progressive movement because of his relationship with Modi.

The congressman, who emigrated from India in the late 1970s, has frequently celebrated Modi’s leadership and has appeared alongside the Indian prime minister during visits to the United States. He was among the Indian American elected officials who welcomed Modi during his 2023 state visit to Washington.

That relationship became a flashpoint with the Democratic Socialists of America. The Detroit chapter cited Thanedar’s participation in welcoming Modi—whom it described as advancing Hindu nationalist politics—as one reason it sought to expel him before he formally resigned from the organization following disagreements over Israel.

Civil rights organizations and several Indian American advocacy groups have long criticized Modi’s government over issues including religious freedom, treatment of minorities, and democratic institutions. By contrast, many Indian Americans view Modi as a transformative leader who has strengthened India’s economy, global standing, and infrastructure. Thanedar consistently aligned himself with the latter perspective, making him one of the most visible supporters of Modi in Congress.

Thanedar also introduced a House resolution condemning Hinduphobia and founded the Congressional Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain Caucus.

Progressive Coalition Consolidates

McKinney’s victory reflects more than dissatisfaction with a single incumbent. It illustrates the growing influence of progressive organizations in Democratic primaries, particularly in districts where questions of foreign policy have become increasingly important.

Michigan has emerged as one of the Democratic Party’s principal battlegrounds over U.S. policy toward Israel since the start of the Gaza war. The state was home to the “Uncommitted” movement during the 2024 presidential primaries, and many progressive activists have made support for Israel a significant electoral issue.

At the same time, Michigan’s Democratic politics have increasingly intersected with debates over international issues, including India under Modi. While these questions were not the dominant themes of the congressional race, they contributed to broader perceptions of Thanedar among progressive activists who questioned both his foreign policy positions and his ideological consistency.

End of an Unconventional Political Career?

Thanedar’s rise in American politics was itself unusual. A self-made entrepreneur who built a successful chemical testing business after emigrating from India, he entered Michigan politics by largely self-financing his campaigns. He won an open congressional seat in 2022 after moving into Detroit’s 13th District and survived a competitive primary in 2024 despite criticism from local Democratic leaders.

His tenure in Congress, however, was often marked by controversy. Fellow Democrats questioned his legislative effectiveness and political style, while his unsuccessful effort in 2025 to force a vote on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump drew criticism from members of his own party, who said the move lacked leadership support and appeared politically motivated.

His defeat now removes one of the highest-profile Indian American Democrats from the House of Representatives and underscores the changing priorities of Democratic primary voters in urban districts.

For Indian Americans, Thanedar’s loss is significant not only because it reduces their representation in Congress, but also because it marks the defeat of a lawmaker who openly embraced two positions that increasingly divide Democratic politics: strong support for Israel and a close political association with Modi. In a Democratic Party where progressive activism has become increasingly influential, those positions proved difficult to reconcile with the political mood of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.

Top image: Shri Thanedar/Facebook