{"id":2586182,"date":"2026-04-01T14:45:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-lawmaker-to-exit-politics-over-faith-clash-with-democrats\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:46:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:46:23","slug":"michigan-lawmaker-to-exit-politics-over-faith-clash-with-democrats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-lawmaker-to-exit-politics-over-faith-clash-with-democrats\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan lawmaker to exit politics over faith clash with Democrats"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmichigan-lawmaker-to-exit-politics-over-faith-clash-with-democrats%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2586182&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michigan state representative Karen Whitsett, a Detroit Democrat who represents the 4th house District, said she will not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-dem-senate-candidate-announces-support-for-medicare-for-all\/\" title=\"Wisconsin Dem Senate Candidate Announces Support for Medicare for All\">seek reelection<\/a> and plans to leave office at the end of her term in 2026. She framed the decision as spiritual, stating that she answers to God first and cannot reconcile her Christian faith wiht the Democratic Party, notably on abortion rights and LGBTQ issues. Whitsett has long clashed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-vowed-to-elect-more-women-they-did-just-that\/\" title=\"Republicans Vowed To Elect More Women...They Did Just That\">party leaders<\/a> and described a lack of flexibility in legislation, telling Fox News Digital that she faced pressure to fall in line and could not vote against what she believes benefits her constituents. She also noted a history of disagreements with Democrats over COVID-19 policies and, in january 2025, announced she would no longer caucus with the Democrats. At times she has aligned with Republicans, and she cited support from Donald Trump in raising funds for her 2024 campaign.Whitsett\u2019s faith,including her involvement with Lionheart Church in Georgia,has shaped her decision to pursue a different political direction and to try to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >lead people back<\/a> to a biblical foundation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Michigan Democratic state representative retires, saying her faith cannot &lsquo;reconcile&rsquo; with party<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2533836\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"655\">Michigan<\/a> state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-MI) explained on Tuesday her choice not to seek reelection, saying her political party is increasingly at odds with her Christian faith.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/despite-insistence-by-democrat-politicians-and-medical-elites-empirical-evidence-does-not-conclusively-show-that-masks-reduce-the-spread-of-covid\/\" title=\"Despite Insistence by Democrat Politicians and Medical Elites, Empirical Evidence DOES NOT Conclusively Show that Masks Reduce the Spread of COVID\">don&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t understand how &lsquo;Christian&rsquo; and &lsquo;Bible&rsquo; go together [with] &lsquo;Democratic Party,&rsquo;&rdquo; Whitsett said in a recent interview with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/media\/michigan-democrat-quits-politics-says-abortion-lgtbq-agenda-betrayed-her-faith\">Fox News<\/a> Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4511712\/trump-executive-order-mail-in-voting\/\">Trump orders Postal Service to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-orders-usps-to-limit-mail-ballots-to-voters-on-dhs-lists\/\" title=\"Trump orders USPS to limit mail ballots to voters on DHS lists\">limit mail ballots<\/a> to voters on new DHS-approved lists<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4511498\/florida-democrats-voter-registration-program\/\">Florida Democrats push voter registration program after flipping two seats<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4511538\/watchdog-human-error-mikie-sherrill-military-records\/\">Federal watchdog blames human error for release of Mikie Sherrill&#8217;s military records<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Whitsett, who represents Michigan&rsquo;s 4th House District in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/detroit\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1935\">Detroit<\/a>, said in March that she plans to step away from public office at the end of her term in 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>She described the decision as &ldquo;spiritual&rdquo; in an interview with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clickondetroit.com\/news\/local\/2026\/03\/03\/michigan-state-rep-karen-whitsett-says-she-wont-run-for-office-again-due-to-christian-faith\/\"><em>ClickOnDetroit<\/em><\/a>  and later said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/karen.whitsett.2025\">social media statement<\/a> that she answers to &ldquo;God first.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have a heaven or hell to put anyone in &mdash; only God does,&rdquo; Whitsett said. &ldquo;But I do have God&rsquo;s unwavering Word to stand on, and I can no longer compromise it to fit a party platform or to please people.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Whitsett has struggled to reconcile her faith with positions held by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"288\">Democratic Party<\/a>, specifically citing its support for abortion rights and LGBT policies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I just sincerely kept asking, please do not back me into a corner,&rdquo; she told Fox News Digital. &ldquo;Please do not keep pushing the LGBTQ agenda. Please do not keep pushing the abortion agenda.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>She also criticized what she described as a lack of flexibility within her party on legislation, saying she often felt pressure to fall in line even when she believed certain bills would benefit her constituents.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They don&rsquo;t want you to disagree with anything,&rdquo; Whitsett told Fox News Digital. &ldquo;There are numerous things that can be in bills, and they&rsquo;ll say, &lsquo;No, don&rsquo;t do it.&rsquo; I&rsquo;m not going back to my district to say I didn&rsquo;t vote for something that was beneficial for them.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Whitsett pointed to her involvement with Lionheart Church in Georgia, which she attends virtually, as influential in shaping her views and ultimate decision.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/faith-values\/faith\">God has called me<\/a>&nbsp;to move in a different direction,&rdquo; Whitsett told Fox News Digital. &ldquo;And I definitely want to try to lead people back to a biblical foundation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Her break with fellow Democrats has developed over several years. In 2020, she publicly clashed with party leaders over COVID-19 policies, when she opposed vaccine mandates just two years after she was first elected in 2018.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4507293\/world-food-supply-crisis-strait-hormuz-blockade\/\"><strong>WORLD FACES SEVERE FOOD SUPPLY CRISIS IF STRAIT OF HORMUZ BLOCKADE CONTINUES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In January 2025, Whitsett announced she would no <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3289623\/karen-whitsett-laments-democrats-wont-change-rhetoric\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3289623\/karen-whitsett-laments-democrats-wont-change-rhetoric\/\">longer caucus <\/a>with the Democrats.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Whitsett has at times aligned with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> and noted that President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> helped her raise more than $840,000 for her 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mich. Dem rep retires; faith clashes with party<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2586183,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/whitsett-04.24.20-e1775066387153.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3685,76977,5250,3914,4601],"class_list":["post-2586182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-democrats","tag-exit-politics","tag-faith","tag-lawmaker","tag-michigan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/whitsett-04.24.20-e1775066387153.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2586182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2586182"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2586182\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2586186,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2586182\/revisions\/2586186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2586183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2586182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2586182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2586182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}