Justin Onwenu
Democratic · MI · Detroit small-business affairs official and adjunct law professor
Justin Onwenu is a Democratic candidate for Michigan Senate District 1, a fourth-generation Detroiter, attorney, organizer, Detroit small-business affairs official, and adjunct labor-law professor. He previously served as Detroit's Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity and has worked on workers' rights, environmental justice, startup and small-business investment, water protection, and government ethics.
Campaign Finance Information — State Senator District 1
Campaign Finance Information · State Senator District 1 · August 4, 2026
Data last updated July 27, 2026
- Raised
- $93,673
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- PHYSICIAN$7,860
- NOT EMPLOYED$7,002
- DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE CORP. COUNSEL$6,507
- INVESTOR$6,400
Show 1 more
- LAWYER$4,360
Direct contributions by size
- $1,000-$4,999$43,625
- $500-$999$18,000
- $250-$499$16,807
- $100-$249$11,977
- $1-$99$3,263
Source: Michigan Campaign Finance · 2026 cycle · mi-boe.entellitrak.com
Track record
Environment and Public Health
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu helped write and advocate for Detroit's Waterbody Protection Ordinance, which the City Council approved unanimously to strengthen riverfront inspection, maintenance, and enforcement requirements.
September 28, 2021For
Source: bridgedetroit.com · researched July 13, 2026
Reduce Wealth Gap
· 4 records
Justin Onwenu participated in launching Detroit's Tech Founder Residency Fellowship, funded by a $210,000 state grant and offering stipends and workspaces to startup founders.
October 28, 2025For
Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Justin Onwenu participated in awarding the first $300,000 from Detroit's Startup Fund to 13 companies selected for civic impact, scalability, and commitment to building in Detroit.
September 18, 2025For
Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Justin Onwenu participated in launching Detroit's $700,000 municipal Startup Fund for grants to Detroit-based technology companies.
July 28, 2025For
Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
As Detroit's entrepreneurship director, Justin Onwenu participated in launching a $500,000 Legacy Business Project supporting long-standing city businesses with grants and technical assistance.
November 21, 2024For
Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Anti-Corruption
· 2 records
Justin Onwenu currently supports Freedom of Information Act reform, a stronger State Board of Ethics, and full financial disclosure by lawmakers.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Justin Onwenu served as a senior adviser to the campaign supporting Michigan Proposal 1, which added legislative term-limit and financial-disclosure requirements to the state constitution.
October 20, 2022For
Source: metrotimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Government Efficiency
· 2 records
Justin Onwenu participated in launching Detroit's Tech Founder Residency Fellowship, funded by a $210,000 state grant and offering stipends and workspaces to startup founders.
October 28, 2025For
Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Detroit appointed Justin Onwenu as its first Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity, with responsibility for strategies supporting startups and small businesses.
August 27, 2024For
Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Healthcare Affordability
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu currently supports lowering prescription-drug prices, expanding in-home care, and funding senior centers and support services.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu currently supports gun-safety laws, public-safety funding for police and fire services, community violence intervention, criminal-justice reform, and youth programs.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu currently supports lowering prescription-drug prices, expanding in-home care, and funding senior centers and support services.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Gun Control
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu currently supports gun-safety laws, public-safety funding for police and fire services, community violence intervention, criminal-justice reform, and youth programs.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Women's Reproductive Rights
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu currently supports protecting reproductive freedom, marriage equality, free speech, and immigrant communities.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Election Integrity
· 2 records
Justin Onwenu currently supports Freedom of Information Act reform, a stronger State Board of Ethics, and full financial disclosure by lawmakers.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Justin Onwenu served as a senior adviser to the campaign supporting Michigan Proposal 1, which added legislative term-limit and financial-disclosure requirements to the state constitution.
October 20, 2022For
Source: metrotimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Civil Rights
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu currently supports protecting reproductive freedom, marriage equality, free speech, and immigrant communities.
July 12, 2026For
Source: justinformi.com · researched July 13, 2026
Corporate Accountability
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu helped write and advocate for Detroit's Waterbody Protection Ordinance, which the City Council approved unanimously to strengthen riverfront inspection, maintenance, and enforcement requirements.
September 28, 2021For
Source: bridgedetroit.com · researched July 13, 2026
Public Infrastructure
· 1 record
Justin Onwenu helped write and advocate for Detroit's Waterbody Protection Ordinance, which the City Council approved unanimously to strengthen riverfront inspection, maintenance, and enforcement requirements.
September 28, 2021For
Source: bridgedetroit.com · researched July 13, 2026
Elections
- State Senator District 1 · August 4, 2026 · State Senate District 1; Michigan
Profile last researched July 13, 2026.