Detroit Rep. Karen Whitsett on Monday announced she will not seek re-election and will not run for public office again, citing a faith-based decision rooted in her commitment to Jesus Christ.
Whitsett assumed office in 2023, her current term ends on Jan. 1, 2027.
Whitsett added that while she will not be a candidate again, she plans to remain engaged in civic life by supporting leaders across party lines who are “committed 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 said.
She emphasized that her decision is driven by conscience and accountability to God.
Whitsett has been drifting further away from the party since she stopped showing up for session.
Last week, she gave a shoutout to Robin Barnes, a Black conservative who highlighted her trip to the White House to meet with the Trump adminstration.
“Oh now I can see how racist the president is,” Whitsett posted the same day, linking a video of late Civil Rights icon Jesse Jackson praising Donald Trump for helping his effort in the 1990s.
Last month, Whtisett shared a number of posts from conservative meme accounts, including one condemning abortion, and another headlined, “Ex-gay man’s life radically transformed by Jesus after studying the bible.”
“On abortion specifically, we say there is no such thing as Black-on-Black crime, but in my view abortion is exactly that,” Whitsett told the Chronicle in a text message Monday.
On Saturday, Roslyn Ogburn, Whitsett’s potential successor, held her first campaign event at a community center on Grand River.
Ogburn’s event was attended by dozens of community members, including Detroit City Council member Denzel McCampbell, who defeated Whitsett in a city council race last November.
Whitsett was absent from 51 of the 66 House session days in 2025, telling the Detroit News session wasn’t worth showing up for.
“What benefit is it for me and my constituents to drive to Lansing for a resolution, a road-naming bill, the designation of a state butterfly?” Whitsett told the News.
Whitsett was criticized by Democrats after breaking with the party more than once over abortion, alternative COVID-19 treatments and paid leave and sick time.
She met with President Trump at the White House during the pandemic, where she championed hydroxychloroquine as a treatment. In April 2020, the FDA warned healthcare professionals against using hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat COVID-19 unless people were in the hospital or a clinical trial. Data collected by the FDA found heart problems at a higher rate among people taking these medicines compared with those who didn’t take them.
In 2024 as Democrats tried to push through key pieces of legislation during the final days controlling the Legislature amid the lame duck period, Whitsett joined Republicans in protesting the House, leaving Democrats without a quorum.
Democrats celebrated Whitsett’s announcement she wouldn’t run for office in the future.
“Good riddance,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel.
“Word,” replied Livonia Democratic state Senator Dayna Polehanki.
Hertel, in an interview with Michigan Chronicle Monday said Whitsett was a major reason why Democrats weren’t able to bring certain legislation to the finish line at the end of their control of the Legislature.
“The rep. has refused to go to work,” Hertel said. “By partnering with republicans why important things weren’t able to get done, water affordability, a number of issues important to her constituents. Add that to actively working with Republican Speaker Matt Hall. The people of that district are Democrats, they want their district rep to go to work and get things done for them.”
Hertel said the state party took away VIN access to Whtisett earlier this year, meaning she was unable to access key Democratic voter data, contact info, and other campaign tools.
“We believe people should work in bipartisan way, but not when it comes to elections and fundraising; She hasn’t been a democrat in some time.”
Hertel said for now, Democrats will have to wait out Whitsett’s term.
“We’re past the point of time where a recall would work,” Hertel said. “The House is the only one who can expel a member. Last time used was for Todd Corser and Cindy Gamrat. It’s unlikely speaker hall will be trying to get rid of Karen Whitsett.”
