Frank Liberati
Joanna Whaley
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
Joanna Whaley, a transgender Democrat running for a Michigan House seat in the 2nd District, won a name-based disqualification challenge filed by her opponent, former Democratic state Rep. Frank Liberati.
Michigan’s 2nd House district includes Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Melvindale and the north side of Southgate.
Liberati claimed that Whaley was violating state election law by not listing her birth name, which was seen by many as an attempt to make the race about her transgender status.
Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett denied the challenge, allowing Whaley to remain on the ballot.
Members of the Michigan Democratic Party and the Michigan LGBTQ+ Caucus have called out Liberati for his transphobic actions, with the caucus describing Liberati’s actions as “weaponizing transphobia as an electoral tactic.”
Whaley and Liberati will face each other in the August primary, with the winner running as the Democratic 2nd District State House candidate in the Nov. 3 general election.
Whaley legally changed her name from Jonathon Michael to Joanna on Sept. 12, 2025, and since May 6, 2022, has been using the name Joanna publicly.
Liberati has the option of pursuing his grievance further in circuit court it he so chooses.
Whaley said Liberati challenged her name change based on her gender identity with a technicality.
“I am happy to have this distraction behind us, and to continue focusing on the issues that people care about,” she said. “People don’t care who I am – they care about results in Lansing.”
Liberati has not commented to the press since the ruling.