Detroit Evening Report, Aug. 3, 2022: What Thaneder’s victory means for Black representation in Congress in Detroit
In this June 20, 2018, file photo, Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shri Thanedar participates during a debate in Grand Rapids. Thanedar won Michigan's 13th Congressional Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, topping a field of nine candidates.
Welcome to the Detroit Evening Report, a daily round-up of news that city residents need to know.
The City of Detroit will likely not have a Black member of the U.S. House for the first time in nearly 70 years. State Rep. Shri Thanedar won Michigan’s 13th Congressional District Democratic primary Tuesday, topping a field of nine candidates. The 13th includes the Grosse Pointes, the eastern part of Detroit and several Downriver suburbs. The last time Detroit was without a Black representative in Congress was in 1955. That’s when Charles Diggs Jr. took office. He was joined in Congress in 1965 by John Conyers, who retained his congressional seat for more than 50 years. Results from Tuesday’s election show Thanedar, an immigrant from India, defeating State Rep. Adam Hollier and attorney Portia Roberson. Detroit’s population is about 80% Black. All of the other candidates in the primary were Black. Thanedar will take on Republican Martell Bivings in the November general election.
Other headlines for Aug. 3, 2022:
- Home repair funding program for seniors, homeowners with disabilities gets $15 million boost
- Bert’s Marketplace concession stand will stay at Comerica Park for the rest of the season
- Summerfest is coming to the west side of Detroit late next week
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
