Potential New ‘Squad’ Candidate Launches Campaign With Liberal Policy Wishlist

A Michigan state lawmaker is looking to join the ranks among the most left-leaning House Democrats and oust a fellow Democratic representative currently occupying the seat.

Democratic Michigan State Rep. Donavan McKinney announced Monday he is running for Michigan’s 13th House district against Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar in a primary election before the 2026 midterms. Donovan has the backing of Justice Democrats, an advocacy group that helped elect members of the far-left coalition of House Democrats known informally as “the squad.”

“This campaign isn’t about me — it’s about all of us deserving a Democratic Party that can actually fight back against Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the billionaire 1% that are picking our pockets to line their own,” McKinney’s campaign website reads.

The website puts “raising taxes on billionaires and corporations” and “universal basic income” near the top of McKinney’s policy platform, followed by several sections focused on promoting the climate-focused “Green New Deal,” ending cash bail for criminal defendants and expanding federal funding for abortion among other core issues for leftists.

Justice Democrats rose to prominence in the 2024 elections after trying — and failing — to keep pro-Israel Democrats from unseating “squad” members over their Israel-Hamas war stances. Former Democratic Reps.