Donavan McKinney

Donavan McKinney is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2023, currently representing the 11th district. A member of the Democratic Party, McKinney is currently a candidate in the 2026 election for Michigan's 13th congressional district.

Early life

McKinney grew up on the east side of Detroit and attended Renaissance High School.

Political career

He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from the 14th district in the 2022 election.
Following court-mandated redistricting of the Detroit area, McKinney ran in the 11th district for the 2024 election, winning re-election.
In April 2025, McKinney announced his candidacy for Michigan's 13th congressional district in the 2026 election, challenging incumbent Shri Thanedar. He is endorsed by Rashida Tlaib, the Justice Democrats, Senator Bernie Sanders, and the Michigan chapter of Service Employees International Union, of which McKinney is a former member.

Political positions

McKinney has been critical of Michigan's utility companies, and of corporate influence in politics in general. He co-sponsored a bipartisan bill package that would prohibit political campaign contributions from utility companies, such as DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, as well as from major state government contractors, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. McKinney also supports an increase to the credit that Michigan energy companies must pay to consumers affected by prolonged power outages, arguing that the current rate of $35 per day is not enough to offset the costs of spoiled medicine or groceries.