Earlier This Year, Liberati Sought to Disqualify Whaley Over Her Name Change, But the Wayne County Clerk's Office Dismissed the Challenge

Joanna Whaley, a former megachurch pastor who endured 15 years of conversion practices, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday to become the first transgender member of Michigan's state legislature. Whaley defeated Frank Liberati, a former state representative, and Gary Schlack in the primary for the second district of the Michigan statehouse, a Democratic stronghold. Earlier this year, Liberati sought to disqualify Whaley over her name change, but the Wayne County clerk's office dismissed the challenge.

Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of the US Congress, praised Whaley on X, noting she won by over 30%. Whaley, 38, grew up in a Catholic family and spent two decades as a pastor at an evangelical megachurch, where she was forced into conversion therapy with four therapists over 15 years. She quit in 2022 after church leaders discovered she was considering a gender transition, then worked as a hospital chaplain.

Whaley has endorsements from groups including the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Run for Something. She will face Republican Ronald Kokinda in the November 3 general election to replace Tullio Liberati in the statehouse. So proud of my friend, Joanna Whaley!

She faced indignities from her opponent, channeled the energy into knocking on doors, doubled down on her economic agenda, and she defeated that former Dem legislator (who took the low road against her) by 30+%! Way to go, Joanna!