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{{short description|American politician from Michigan}}
{{Short description|American politician (born 1967)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Karen Whitsett
| name = Karen Whitsett
| image = President Trump meets with Patients who have Recovered from COVID-19 (49774107118) (cropped).jpg
|state_house = Michigan
⚫
| office = Member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]]
|district = 9th
|term_start = January 1, 2019
| term_start = January 1, 2019
|term_end =
| term_end =
|predecessor = [[Sylvia Santana]]
| predecessor = [[Sylvia Santana]]
|successor =
| successor =
| constituency = [[Michigan's 9th House of Representatives district|9th district]] (2019–2023)<br>[[Michigan's 4th House of Representatives district|4th district]] (2023–present)
⚫
|birth_place = [[Detroit]], Michigan
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|11|08}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], U.S.
|occupation = Politician
|spouse = Jason
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse = Jason
| caption = Whitsett in 2020
}}
}}
'''Karen Whitsett''' (born November 8, 1967) is an American politician serving as a member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] since 2019, currently representing the [[Michigan's 4th House of Representatives district|4th district]].<ref name="housedems_whitsett">{{cite web |title=Karen Whitsett |url=https://housedems.com/whitsett |access-date=October 14, 2019 |publisher=housedems.com}}</ref> She is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], and is often considered one of the more conservative Democrats in the House.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the Democrat blocking Michigan abortion bills. She says she's not alone {{!}} Bridge Michigan |url=https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/meet-democrat-blocking-michigan-abortion-bills-she-says-shes-not-alone |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=www.bridgemi.com |language=en}}</ref>
'''Karen Whitsett''' is an American politician from Michigan. Whitsett is a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] from District 9.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Whitsett was born in [[Detroit]], Michigan.<ref name="housedems_whitsett"/>
Whitsett was born on November 8, 1967 in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]].<ref name="housedems_whitsett"/>


== Career ==
== State legislature ==
[[File:President Trump meets with Patients who have Recovered from COVID-19 (49774107118).jpg|thumb|right|Whitsett with [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]] in 2020]]
⚫
On November 6, 2018, Whitsett won the election and became a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] for District 9. Whitsett defeated James Stephens with 95.1% of the votes.<ref name="votesmart_whitsett">{{cite web |URL=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182699/karen-whitsett |title=Representative Karen Whitsett's Biography |publisher=[[Vote Smart]] |accessdate=October 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="housedems_whitsett">{{cite web |URL=https://housedems.com/whitsett |title=Karen Whitsett |publisher=housedems.com |accessdate=October 14, 2019}}</ref>

=== Elections ===

==== 2018 ====
⚫
On November 6, 2018, Whitsett won the election and became a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] for District 9. Whitsett defeated James Stephens with 95.1% of the votes.<ref name="housedems_whitsett" /><ref name="votesmart_whitsett">{{cite web |title=Representative Karen Whitsett's Biography |url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182699/karen-whitsett |access-date=October 14, 2019 |publisher=[[Vote Smart]]}}</ref>

==== 2020 ====
Whitsett won her August 2020 primary, beating out Roslyn Ogburn, a fourth-generation Detroiter and mother of five.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Christine Ferretti and Kalea |title=Controversial Democrat Whitsett, millionaire Thanedar prevail in Democratic state House races |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2020/08/04/democrat-whitsett-narrowly-trails-bid-retain-detroit-seat-state-house/5523094002/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref> She then won the general election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/03/2020 |url=https://mielections.us/election/results/2020GEN_CENR.html |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=mielections.us}}</ref>

==== 2022 ====
On November 8, 2022, Whitsett was elected with 87% of the vote to the [[Michigan's 4th House of Representatives district|4th state House district]], which had changed since previous elections with redistricting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/08/2022 |url=https://mielections.us/election/results/2022GEN_CENR.html |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=mielections.us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michigan Mapping Process |url=https://www.michigan.gov/micrc/mapping-process/final-maps}}</ref>

==== 2024 ====
Whitsett was reelected without a primary or general election challenger [[2024 Michigan House of Representatives election|in 2024]].<ref name="mich-2024-general-results">{{cite web|title=2024 Michigan Election Results|url=https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/votehistory/Index?type=C&electionDate=11-5-2024|publisher=[[Michigan Secretary of State]]|access-date=November 24, 2024|date=November 22, 2024|url-status=live|archive-date=November 24, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.ph/aLyJU}}</ref>

=== Controversies ===

==== COVID-19 ====
⚫
Whitsett reported she was diagnosed with [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] on April 6, 2020.<ref>[https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/04/second-michigan-legislator-confirmed-positive-for-coronavirus.html Second Michigan legislator confirmed positive for coronavirus] MLive.com, April 6, 2020</ref> At the same time, Whitsett credited President [[Donald Trump]] and his personal support of [[hydroxychloroquine]] and [[azithromycin]] treatments with saving her life, stating, "If President Trump had not talked about this, it would not be something that's accessible for anyone to be able to get that right now, it would not even be possible."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zckrDFVY84 Michigan Rep. Karen Whitsett credits hydroxychloroquine, President Trump for her recovery from C...] Click On Detroit, WDIV, April 6, 2020</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=LeBlanc|first=Sarah Rahal and Beth|title=Detroit Democrats unanimously censure lawmaker who credited Trump for COVID-19 recovery|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2020/04/25/detroit-democrats-unanimously-censure-lawmaker-karen-whitsett-who-credited-trump-covid-19-recovery/3025907001/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=The Detroit News|language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2020, Whitsett announced she would sue [[Governor of Michigan]] [[Gretchen Whitmer]] over a censure pertaining to COVID-19, alleging that the Governor and the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization were attempting to deprive her of her right to engage in protected speech after she publicly supported President Trump.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-21|title=Lawmaker from Detroit sues Whitmer, fellow Democrats over censure after she met with President Trump|url=https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/05/lawmaker-from-detroit-sues-whitmer-fellow-democrats-over-censure-after-she-met-with-president-trump.html|access-date=2020-09-04|website=mlive|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In June 2020, Whitsett dropped the federal lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-04|title=Rep. Karen Whitsett drops lawsuit against Gov. Whitmer, Detroit Democratic organization|url=https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/06/rep-karen-whitsett-drops-lawsuit-again-gov-whitmer-detroit-democratic-organization.html|access-date=2020-09-04|website=mlive|language=en}}</ref>

==== Abortion ====
In 2023, Whitsett was the sole Democrat in the Michigan House Health Policy Committee to vote against the Reproductive Health Act, an 11-bill package pertaining to abortion access.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Meet the Democrat blocking Michigan abortion bills. She says she's not alone {{!}} Bridge Michigan |url=https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/meet-democrat-blocking-michigan-abortion-bills-she-says-shes-not-alone |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=www.bridgemi.com |language=en}}</ref> Whitsett's concerns included the use of state Medicaid funds for abortions and waiting periods between the consultation and the procedure.<ref name=":1" />

==== 2024 walkout ====
In the midst of the entire House Republican caucus boycotting the remaining days of the legislature, Whitsett walked out of the House chamber, denying House Democrats the ability to pass several remaining bills. Whitsett returned to the capitol building but refused to enter the chamber. She cited concerns about several bills which were voted out of committee to the House floor. Speaker [[Joe Tate (politician)|Joe Tate]] eventually adjourned the House to December 31, ending the ability of the chamber to pass any further legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=Michigan lame-duck Legislature: House ends year with tears, fingerpointing {{!}} Bridge Michigan |url=https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-lame-duck-legislature-house-ends-year-tears-fingerpointing |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=www.bridgemi.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-19 |title=Michigan House adjourns until New Year's Eve as state reps speak out on lame-duck session |url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/state/michigan-house-adjourns-until-new-years-eve-as-state-reps-speak-out-on-lame-duck-session |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=WXYZ 7 News Detroit |language=en}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Whitsett's lives with her husband, Jason, and their dog, Peace.<ref name="housedems_whitsett" /> They have one child.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} Whitsett and her family live in [[Detroit]], Michigan.<ref name="housedems_whitsett" /><ref name="votesmart_whitsett"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Karen Whitsett {{!}} MI State Rep. {{!}} District 4 |url=https://www.karenwhitsett.com/about |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=karenwhitsett |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
Whitsett's husband is Jason. They have one child. Whitsett and her family live in [[Detroit]], Michigan.<ref name="votesmart_whitsett"/> Whitsett reported she was diagnosed with [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] on April 6.<ref>[https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/04/second-michigan-legislator-confirmed-positive-for-coronavirus.html Second Michigan legislator confirmed positive for coronavirus] MLive.com, April 6, 2020</ref> At that same time, Whitsett credited the controversial [[hydroxychloroquine]] plus [[azithromycin]] treatment with saving her life.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zckrDFVY84 Michigan Rep. Karen Whitsett credits hydroxychloroquine, President Trump for her recovery from C...] Click On Detroit, WDIV, April 6, 2020</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 32: Line 63:
== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_Whitsett Karen Whitsett at ballotpedia.org]
* [https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_Whitsett Karen Whitsett at ballotpedia.org]
* [https://www.karenwhitsett.com/about Campaign website]
* [https://housedems.com/karen-whitsett/about/ House website]


{{Michigan House of Representatives}}
{{Michigan House of Representatives}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitsett, Karen}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitsett, Karen}}
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Michigan Legislature]]
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[[Category:African-American state legislators in Michigan]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Women state legislators in Michigan]]
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[[Category:Members of the Michigan House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Michigan Democrats]]
[[Category:Politicians from Detroit]]
[[Category:Politicians from Detroit]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Michigan]]

{{Michigan-politician-stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:35, 3 January 2025

Karen Whitsett
Whitsett in 2020
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded bySylvia Santana
Constituency9th district (2019–2023)
4th district (2023–present)
Personal details
Born (1967-11-08) November 8, 1967 (age 57)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJason

Karen Whitsett (born November 8, 1967) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2019, currently representing the 4th district.[1] She is a member of the Democratic Party, and is often considered one of the more conservative Democrats in the House.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Whitsett was born on November 8, 1967 in Detroit, Michigan.[1]

State legislature

[edit]
Whitsett with President Donald Trump in 2020

Elections

[edit]

2018

[edit]

On November 6, 2018, Whitsett won the election and became a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives for District 9. Whitsett defeated James Stephens with 95.1% of the votes.[1][3]

2020

[edit]

Whitsett won her August 2020 primary, beating out Roslyn Ogburn, a fourth-generation Detroiter and mother of five.[4] She then won the general election.[5]

2022

[edit]

On November 8, 2022, Whitsett was elected with 87% of the vote to the 4th state House district, which had changed since previous elections with redistricting.[6][7]

2024

[edit]

Whitsett was reelected without a primary or general election challenger in 2024.[8]

Controversies

[edit]

COVID-19

[edit]

Whitsett reported she was diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 6, 2020.[9] At the same time, Whitsett credited President Donald Trump and his personal support of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin treatments with saving her life, stating, "If President Trump had not talked about this, it would not be something that's accessible for anyone to be able to get that right now, it would not even be possible."[10][11]

In May 2020, Whitsett announced she would sue Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer over a censure pertaining to COVID-19, alleging that the Governor and the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization were attempting to deprive her of her right to engage in protected speech after she publicly supported President Trump.[12][4] In June 2020, Whitsett dropped the federal lawsuit.[13]

Abortion

[edit]

In 2023, Whitsett was the sole Democrat in the Michigan House Health Policy Committee to vote against the Reproductive Health Act, an 11-bill package pertaining to abortion access.[14] Whitsett's concerns included the use of state Medicaid funds for abortions and waiting periods between the consultation and the procedure.[14]

2024 walkout

[edit]

In the midst of the entire House Republican caucus boycotting the remaining days of the legislature, Whitsett walked out of the House chamber, denying House Democrats the ability to pass several remaining bills. Whitsett returned to the capitol building but refused to enter the chamber. She cited concerns about several bills which were voted out of committee to the House floor. Speaker Joe Tate eventually adjourned the House to December 31, ending the ability of the chamber to pass any further legislation.[15][16]

Personal life

[edit]

Whitsett's lives with her husband, Jason, and their dog, Peace.[1] They have one child.[citation needed] Whitsett and her family live in Detroit, Michigan.[1][3][17]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Karen Whitsett". housedems.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  2. ^ "Meet the Democrat blocking Michigan abortion bills. She says she's not alone | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  3. ^ a b "Representative Karen Whitsett's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Hall, Christine Ferretti and Kalea. "Controversial Democrat Whitsett, millionaire Thanedar prevail in Democratic state House races". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  5. ^ "2020 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/03/2020". mielections.us. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  6. ^ "2022 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/08/2022". mielections.us. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  7. ^ "Michigan Mapping Process".
  8. ^ "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Secretary of State. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Second Michigan legislator confirmed positive for coronavirus MLive.com, April 6, 2020
  10. ^ Michigan Rep. Karen Whitsett credits hydroxychloroquine, President Trump for her recovery from C... Click On Detroit, WDIV, April 6, 2020
  11. ^ LeBlanc, Sarah Rahal and Beth. "Detroit Democrats unanimously censure lawmaker who credited Trump for COVID-19 recovery". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  12. ^ "Lawmaker from Detroit sues Whitmer, fellow Democrats over censure after she met with President Trump". mlive. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  13. ^ "Rep. Karen Whitsett drops lawsuit against Gov. Whitmer, Detroit Democratic organization". mlive. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  14. ^ a b "Meet the Democrat blocking Michigan abortion bills. She says she's not alone | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  15. ^ "Michigan lame-duck Legislature: House ends year with tears, fingerpointing | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  16. ^ "Michigan House adjourns until New Year's Eve as state reps speak out on lame-duck session". WXYZ 7 News Detroit. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  17. ^ "Karen Whitsett | MI State Rep. | District 4". karenwhitsett. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Karen_Whitsett&oldid=1267123856"