Joanna WhaleyJoanna Whaley

Now she’s running to make sure Lansing works for working people. Her campaign focuses on the dignity of work, lowering utility costs, relieving medical debt, and defending workers’ right to negotiate fair wages.

Joanna Whaley is running for the Michigan House of Representatives to bring the focus of government back to the things that matter to everyday people. She is going to bring energy to the Michigan House and keep District 2 a welcoming and safe place for all people. She will fight for the issues that local communities care about and advocate for the rights of all Michiganders.

EMILYs List recruits, trains and supports Democratic pro-choice women candidates at every level of the ballot. By helping to elect these women to office in 2025 and 2026, we’re not only building a foundation for the future, but we’re also putting strong women in charge of decisions that affect women and families every day — from the legislators who write laws to the attorneys general who defend and enforce them to the secretaries of state who ensure access to the ballot.

Joanna Whaley is a Democrat running for her first term in the Michigan House of Representatives in the 2nd District. She is a life-long Michigander and currently works as a clinical spiritual care provider in local hospitals.

Whaley’s priorities center on economic fairness and support for workers, expanding access to healthcare, community-based approaches to public safety, and protecting civil liberties for all residents. Drawing on her background as a clinical spiritual care provider in local hospitals, she emphasizes the toll of rising healthcare costs, housing insecurity, and stagnant wages on working families in her district. She also frames her run as a push to make state government more responsive to everyday constituents rather than special interests, pointing to local concerns like road repairs in Lincoln Park and water infrastructure issues in Melvindale as examples of the practical, on-the-ground problems she wants Lansing to address.

Whaley is running against Republican Ron Kokinda who describes himself as a “Trump Republican.” He has signed a “pledge” for the extremist group Moms for Liberty, is anti-choice, and has pushed election fraud conspiracy theories.

Whaley has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: Equality Michigan Action Network, Michigan United Action, Michigan Association for Justice, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Joanna Whaley is the most progressive choice in this race.

State House District 2 Democratic nominee Joanna Whaley was recently endorsed by UAW Region 1A, the Michigan Education Association, the Human Rights Campaign, Jane Fonda Climate PAC and The Oath of Office.

Joanna Whaley is running for the Michigan House of Representatives to bring active and attentive leadership to Michigan. Motivated by her experience within a marginalized community and by a desire to ensure that every resident has their rights and dignity protected, Joana believes elected officials have a responsibility to stand firmly for the people they represent.

Her campaign is rooted in a commitment to human rights, representation, and accountability. Joana believes that marginalized communities deserve leaders who will listen to their concerns, remain engaged with the people they serve, and refuse to compromise when fundamental rights are at stake. She is committed to ensuring that government reflects the needs and experiences of all Michiganders—not just those who have traditionally held power.

Joanna's approach to public service is grounded in courage and conviction. She believes effective leadership requires showing up, paying attention, listening to constituents, and having the strength to stand by one's principles even when doing so is difficult.

As an Oath of Office endorsed candidate, Joanna Whaley embodies the principles of The Politician's Creed: leading with integrity, standing accountable to the people, and ensuring that public office remains a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every person.