WASHINGTON — The chair of the Congressional Black Caucus is endorsing a challenger to first-term U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, a Detroit Democrat, in a striking pass over of a fellow member of the House Democratic Caucus.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, chairman of the CBC since January 2023, on Friday endorsed former state Sen. Adam Hollier in the Democratic primary contest in Michigan's 13th District, which covers much of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and Downriver communities.

“From the U.S. Army to Governor Whitmer’s cabinet, Adam Hollier has spent his life serving his community and his country. I know he will continue that service as an effective representative and put people over politics,” Horsford said in a statement.

“Adam is the kind of leader who understands the importance of protecting our freedoms, fighting for our rights, and ensuring opportunities for everyone.”

Also endorsing Hollier is the immediate past chair of the Black Caucus, Ohio U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, who said Hollier "is exactly the kind of leader we need standing with us in Congress."

"While some politicians would rather tweet than show up, Adam always steps up, shows up, and delivers results,” said Beatty in a pointed swipe at Thanedar, who's been criticized for over-focusing on his social media likes.

It's uncommon for House Democrats to endorse a primary challenger to one of their sitting colleagues in Congress. Hollier, who is of Black and Native American decent, has one other congressional endorsement from a sitting member, Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, as well as former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield.

Thanedar's campaign said he has been endorsed by 10 of his colleagues in the House this cycle, including Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu and Judy Chu of California and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois.

Thanedar's election marked the first time in nearly 70 years that majority-Black Detroit doesn't have a Black lawmaker representing the city in Congress after Lawrence retired at the end of last term.

It's also the first term that Detroit has had no representation in the CBC since it was co-founded by the late-Detroit U.S. Rep. John Conyers Jr. in 1971. CBC rules limit membership to Black lawmakers and it has about 60 members.

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