Transgender former megachurch pastor wins Michigan Democratic primary for statehouse

In a decisive primary, Joanna Whaley secured the Democratic ticket for Michigan’s 2nd statehouse district, defeating former state representative Frank Liberati and Gary Schlack. Liberati had earlier attempted to disqualify Whaley over her name change, but the Wayne County clerk’s office ruled her filing proper. Whaley, who spent two decades as a megachurch pastor and later worked as a hospital chaplain, shared that she endured 15 years of conversion therapy before leaving the church in 2022.

She has received backing from the LGBTQ Victory Fund, Run for Something, Her Bold Move and Families United for Trans Rights, and was praised on social media by Congresswoman Sarah McBride. Whaley noted both awkward donor encounters and supportive conversations with trans voters across the state. She will contest the November general election against Republican Ronald Kokinda for the seat previously held by Tullio Liberati.