Transgender Former Pastor Wins Michigan Primary, Could Make History

Joanna Whaley, a 38-year-old transgender woman and former large-church pastor, won her Detroit-area district's Democratic primary race on August 5, 2026, with nearly 66% of the vote. She defeated former state lawmaker Frank Liberati by over 30 points. Whaley now appears likely to become the first openly transgender member of Michigan's state legislature in November's general election.