Michigan State Representative Karen Whitsett announced she will not be seeking re-election and will not run for another public office in the future, revealing the decision is rooted in her Christian faith, her dedication to Jesus Christ, and the authority of Scripture. Whitsett stated that she will remain actively engaged in the civil realm and is dedicating her time and effort to improving lives and strengthening families based on God’s Word.
“I will not be seeking re-election for this office, and I will not be running for any office ever again. This is not a political calculation—it’s a spiritual decision,” Whitsett went on to say. The Michigan representative stressed that her decision was driven by her conscience and desire to be held accountable to God. “I don’t have a heaven or hell to put anyone in. Only God does,” she said.
“But I do have God’s unwavering Word to stand on, and I can no longer compromise it to fit a party platform or to please people,” Whitsett continued. “Michigan State Representative Bradley Slagh (R–85th District) said something that convicted me: ‘You’re to vote your district, but you’re not to sell your soul.’ In the end, I have to answer to God.”
According to ClickOnDetroit, Whitsett explained that she can no longer reconcile her faith and its principles with the platform of the Democratic Party.“I have compromised my relationship with Jesus for too long, and I’m grateful God did not give up on me. He gave me time to repent, turn, and be fully devoted to Him,” Whitsett added.
She then provided several issues that she described as being non-negotiable matters of Biblical truth. “That conviction includes the issues I cannot reconcile with Scripture: abortion, the normalization of the gay lifestyle, and the push to redefine gender,” the Michigan representative said, taking a shot at leftist ideology that supports allowing people to decide their own gender.
“I understand these are personal for many families, because your son, daughter, cousin, aunt, or uncle may be one. But personal proximity does not change God’s definition of right and wrong. Love for people does not require agreement with sin, and compassion does not give us permission to rewrite Scripture,” Whitsett’s announcement continued.
Whitsett then noted that abortion has particular consequences for those in the black community. “We say there is no such thing as Black-on-Black crime, but in my view, abortion is exactly that. We wonder why there are no good men—too many were aborted, and we have emasculated many of the men who are still here. We cannot destroy life and then act shocked when our families and neighborhoods suffer the consequences,” she said.
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The state representative then gave praise and credit to her family’s online church community for helping to shape her convictions. “My husband and I attend Lionheart Church online from Michigan—Lionheart Church is based in Austell, Georgia—and that ministry has helped shape our walk with Jesus Christ,” Whitsett stated.
The announcement closed out with Whitsett reaffirming her dedication to the full scope of Christian teaching contained within Scripture. “I’m not going to pretend God’s Word can be twisted by any priest, bishop, pastor, or preacher to make people feel comfortable in sin—whether that’s to keep donations coming, to avoid offending anyone, or to fit the culture,” Whitsett added.
“Just because prominent leaders don’t speak against these things does not mean God is okay with them. God does not change. My faith is not moving. My allegiance is to Jesus Christ, and I’m choosing God’s business over man’s approval,” Whitsett said. Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel was clearly irritated by the announcement, releasing a statement on Whitsett’s decision.
“Good riddance. Rep. Whitsett’s decision to not seek re-election is a net positive for her constituents and all Michiganders. We look forward to electing a strong Democratic candidate to represent this district, especially one who actually shows up for work,” the chairman said on behalf of all Democrats in the state of Michigan.