Detroit Democrat Rep. Shri Thanedar wins second term

The Detroit News

Democratic U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar of Detroit was elected to a second term, defeating his Republican opponent in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results.

Thanedar beat back Republican Martell Bivings with just under 68% of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic 13th District, representing the bulk of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and Downriver communities.

Thanedar, 67, is the first Indian American to represent Michigan in Congress. It's the second consecutive election that he's faced Bivings, a former business liaison with the Detroit Economic Growth Corp.

Thanedar in August fended off a challenge from Detroit City Council member Mary Waters and former Detroit city employee Shakira Hawkins, winning the Democratic primary with about 55% of the vote.

Hawkins and Waters had argued that the district, which includes parts of Detroit, needed African-American representation. Detroit has been without Black representation in the U.S. House for five years after being represented by an African American for over six decades.