Joanna Whaley

Joanna Whaley is the Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives, District 2, in the November 3, 2026 general election, in which she faces Republican Ronald Kokinda.[1][2] A former pastor who now works as a clinical spiritual care provider, she describes her priorities as economic fairness, health care access and civil liberties.[3]

Joanna Whaley graduated from Trenton High School, earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2024 and received a graduate degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary in 2025.[2] Ballotpedia lists her career experience as serving as a clergy member.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she said she is a lifelong resident of the Downriver area and that she was fired from a position as an evangelical pastor after being outed because of her gender identity.[3]

Whaley won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary for District 2 with 56.4% of the vote, ahead of Frank Liberati and Gary Schlack.[2] In the Ballotpedia survey, she said the district includes Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Melvindale and parts of Southgate, and that she would be the first transgender woman elected to the Michigan House.[3] She said her platform includes lowering utility bills, fair wages, job training, medical debt relief and fairer insurance practices, and that she backs the MiCare initiative introduced by Rep. Carrie Rheingans.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.