Michigan’s thirteenth district is located in Wayne County and includes some parts of Detroit. The district has voted for a Democratic representative since 1949. It also voted with a large majority for Clinton (D) in 2016 and Obama (R) in 2012 and 2008. After its 2002 redistricting, the 13th district encompassed most of the former 15th district as well as a large part of the 14th district. From the 2000 census, the former 15th district had a population of 70% African-American.

The previous incumbent, John Conyers (D), resigned on December 5, 2017, facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Former state representative Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic primary to replace Conyers and is running in the 2018 elections; no Republican is running.