Michigan lawmaker quits Dems, politics because party no longer aligns with her Christian beliefs

A Democrat state representative in Michigan has announced that she is not running for reelection to prioritize her religious beliefs. Rep. Karen Whitsett announced on March 2, "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," per WDIV.

"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."

She said that she could no longer be a faithful follower of Christianity while remaining a member of the Democrat Party. "For me, it is impossible to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ while remaining a member of the Democratic Party as it exists today. I cannot reconcile that platform with Scripture." She added, "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."

She listed a number of issues central to the Democrat Party that she "cannot reconcile with Scripture." She said, "That conviction includes the issues I cannot reconcile with Scripture: abortion, the normalization of the gay lifestyle, and the push to redefine 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 said.

On the issue of abortion, Whitsett said, "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 that Lionheart Church, a Georgia-based church she and her husband attend virtually, "has helped shape our walk with Jesus Christ." She added, "Pastor Otha Turnbough has said, ‘You’re making decisions based on emotions and what you think; you’re not making decisions based on how God uses men.’ I agree with that principle: God can and does use anyone He wants, whether people like it or not."

"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," she concluded. "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."