A Democrat state lawmaker has refused to run for re-election and will not seek political office again, citing her Christian faith. Michigan State Representative Karen Whitsett said she was leaving the Democratic Party due to her beliefs. “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, according to ClickOnDetroit. “I don’t have a heaven or hell to put anyone in. Only God does. But I do have God’s unwavering Word to stand on, and I can no longer compromise it to fit a party platform or to please people,” she added. Whitsett will remain in office until January 1, 2027. New: Michigan Democrat State Rep. Karen Whitsett has announced she won’t run for reelection because her Christian faith is incompatible with the Democrat Party: “For me, it is impossible to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ while remaining a member of the Democratic Party… pic.twitter.com/IUnY6EtzXN — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 9, 2026 ClickOnDetroit shared further: Whitsett said she can no longer reconcile her faith with the Democratic Party platform. “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,” Whitsett said. “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,” Whitsett said. Whitsett named several issues she described as non‑negotiable matters of Biblical truth. “That conviction includes the issues I cannot reconcile with Scripture: abortion, the normalization of the gay lifestyle, and the push to redefine gender,” Whitsett said. “Those who understand, understand. Those who don’t, don’t. At the end of the day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess. My responsibility is to stand in truth and walk in obedience — not to win approval,” Whitsett wrote on Facebook. “I don’t need to justify my convictions. I answer to God first. If my words stir something in you and drive you to post a response somewhere, I pray it leads you closer to Him, not further from grace. No one responds to things that don’t matter. I’m just saying,” she continued. Michigan Rep. Karen Whitsett says she’s “breaking up” with politics to follow Jesus, calling it a spiritual, not political, decision.#KarenWhitsett #Jesus #Politics #FaithAndPolitics #ChristianNews https://t.co/znBAHo7JHf pic.twitter.com/tTjkUPvmTC — The Christian Post (@ChristianPost) March 4, 2026 More from The Christian Post: Whitsett has not shown up for the legislative session in the past several months, reports The Detroit News. The Michigan politician says she and her family currently attend the online campus of Lionheart Church, based in Austell, Georgia, and her convictions have been bolstered by the community there. Led by Otha and LaRonna Turnbough, Lionheart Church has a massive digital footprint, including more than 2 million followers on its Facebook page. The church has plans to establish a network of 24/7 satellite locations for worship, prayer, and training in the city and surrounding areas. “My husband and I attend Lionheart Church online from Michigan — Lionheart Church is based in Austell, Georgia — and that ministry has helped shape our walk with Jesus Christ,” Whitsett told WDIV.