Rep. Rashida Tlaib wins Democratic primary in Michigan’s 12th


Rashida Tlaib defeated Kelly Garrett, Shanelle Jackson, and Janice Winfrey in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 12th Congressional District on August 2, 2022. Based on unofficial returns, Tlaib received 64.4% of the vote, while Winfrey came in second with 20.1%.

Tlaib, the representative for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, ran in the 12th District due to redistricting. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D), the district’s representative at the time of the primary, ran in the 6th District.

Tlaib was first elected to Congress in 2018. Tlaib’s top priorities on her website included “racial and immigration justice, economic and housing justice, healthcare for all, human rights around the world, environmental justice, and LGBTQ+ and gender justice.” Her endorsements included the Democratic Socialists of America, the Michigan AFL-CIO, the Michigan Education Association, Our Revolution, and Planned Parenthood.

At the time of the primary, Winfrey was the Detroit city clerk. She highlighted her experience in that role through the city’s bankruptcy in 2013 and the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence of her ability to lead in difficult times. Winfrey’s top priorities on her website included working across the aisle in Congress, reducing inflation, increasing access to healthcare, and supporting Israel as a free state.