Justin Onwenu
Candidate for State Senator, 1st District
Background
Was appointed in August 2024 as the City of Detroit's first Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity. A Columbia Law School graduate, he was previously organizing director for One Fair Wage and began as a Sierra Club organizer in Detroit and Downriver.
Documented positions
Economy & jobs
Proposes statewide data center rules requiring community benefits agreements.
ReportJustin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate surveyCandidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
“The state must require community benefits agreements and also empower localities with legal resources”
Roads & infrastructure
Supports a statewide water affordability program and lead line replacement.
ReportJustin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate surveyCandidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
“I support a statewide water affordability program, continued investment in lead service line replacement and water infrastructure”
Supports expanding reliable public transportation.
ReportJustin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate surveyCandidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
“It means expanding reliable public transportation so families are not forced to spend more and more of their income on cars and insurance.”
Environment & parks
Supports cumulative health impact reviews before new pollution permits.
ReportJustin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate surveyCandidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
“I will fight to require cumulative health impact assessments for new or expanded permits in overburdened communities”
Supports keeping the 100% clean energy by 2040 law.
ReportJustin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate surveyCandidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
“Maintain the current law and timeline”
Supports making polluters pay for contaminated-site cleanup.
ReportJustin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate surveyCandidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
“Polluters should clean up after their own messes.”
All sources (5)
- Official Candidate Listing, All State and Judicial Offices, General Election, November 3, 2026
Election filing · Michigan Department of State, Bureau of Elections · mi-boe.entellitrak.com
- Official Candidate List, November 3, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Wayne County Clerk · waynecountymi.gov
- Sample ballots, November 3, 2026 State General Election: Wayne County (every precinct)
Election filing · Michigan Department of State, Michigan Voter Information Center · mvic.sos.state.mi.us
- Mayor names Detroiter Justin Onwenu City's first Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity
Government record · City of Detroit · detroitmi.gov
- Justin Onwenu - Planet Detroit 2026 candidate survey
Candidate questionnaire · Planet Detroit · voterguide.planetdetroit.org
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.